Bs”d
Parshas Ki Savo (5772)
by Mordechai Dolinsky
Arami ovaid Avi—the dangers of Lavan are kept absolutely secret in the pasuk to teach us that Klal Yisroel is constantly subject to great danger, spiritual and physical, that is hidden. How meaningful this message is now, before Rosh Hashana, making a spiritual reckoning for the year and especially in these the dark, dangerous days before bias Mashiach.
Have a wonderful Shabbos.
Bs”d
Parshas Ki Savo (5771)
by Mordechai Dolinsky
In our parsha there is the viduy of bikurim, the foundation of our service to Hashem, hakoras hatov, gratitude. This is appropriate to prepare for Rosh HaShana.
The main avoda of Elul should be bein adam l’chavero, connecting with people on the highest level in every way.
Ani L’dodi V’dodi Li–Hashem makes Himself available and to feel and connect with it daven Shacharis with extra inspiration and with your voice and thought.
Have a wonderful Shabbos, successful Elul, and a wonderful year.
Bs”d
Parshas Ki Savo (5770)
by Mordechai Dolinsky
A very fruitful Elul activity is to prepare oneself for the halachik aspects of the tekias shofar. This, in order to relate more intimately and intelligently to perhaps one of the most important mitzvos of the year—the proclaiming of Hashem’s Kingdom in the world.
It would be also be very productive for one the familiarize oneself with the ten kavanos of tekias shofar quoted contemporarily in many Rosh Hashana machzorim.
Have a wonderful Shabbos and a continued inspiring Elul to be culminated by a shana tova in all ways.
Bs”d
Parshas Ki Savo (5769)
by Mordechai Dolinsky
Here we are approaching and getting closer to Rosh Hashanah, and our parsha dealing with the foundation of foundations; gratitude. “Arami Oved Avi” – in gratitude we go to the roots, the foundation, the truth of the thanks and the realization and the basis of the truth of thanks.
Cry to Hashem to be worthy to see the truth.
Have a wonderful Shabbos.
Bs”d
Parshas Ki Savo (5768)
by Mordechai Dolinsky
We are presently lacking any form of royalty or kingship that we can create or simulate the concept of Malchus Shomayim, as is required of us. The everyday experiences of hashgacha pratis that Hashem presents to us when examined in depth can reveal the greatness of Hashem’s supremacy over the universe. This is to the extent that at times tantamount to the greatest miracles of history. This concept is reflected in the Medrash in our parsha (7:6)—greater are the miracles of the rainfall than of tichiyas yamaysim.
Have a wonderful Shabbos.
Bs”d
Parshas Ki Savo (5766)
By Mordechai Dolinsky
It is imperative to appeal for Divine assistance for understanding and having the true insight as to what is expected of us in this present period of time, for our Chodesh Elul avoda, in preparation for Rosh Hashana. The fact that this constantly changes is one of the most important foundations of life.
To a large degree we are judged on our general principles, goals and values. This can be the thought behind the Medrash in our sedra that for the reward of attending the Bais Medrash in this world, you will be rewarded to do so in Olam Haba. Teshuva shouts our value system and therefore has unique significance in Elul.
Have a wonderful Shabbos, a successful Elul and a wonderful New Year.
Bs”d
Parshas Ki Savo (5765)
As an important principle the issue of gratitude is, in our service to Hashem, we find in our parsha something amazing. On the pasuk “Vilo nasan Hashem lohem lev lodaas” Rashi explains “lihakir es chasdei Hashem”—that presently you will receive Divine ability to relate, understand and appreciate the kindness of Hashem. As basic an important a requirement it is, and how serious of a commitment we must have to achieve it, we can only truly achieve gratitude through this special Divine order and assistance. At least we must yearn to have gratitude.
It is essential to prepare for a meaningful fulfillment of the important mitzvah of tekias shofar which has an awesome input, affect and influence over the events of the coming year. Study, memorize and integrate R’ Saadya Gaon’s ten explanations for the blowing of the shofar found in many machzorim.
Have a wonderful Shabbos and a wonderful new year.
Bs”d
Parshas Ki Savo (5764)
By Mordechai Dolinsky
As we get closer to Rosh HaShana the Hashgacha brings us sedras with vital spiritual nourishment. Our parsha cries out the importance of “hakoras hatov”—gratitude which is the basis of our relationship with Hashem and with our fellow man and the foundation of our whole religion. How important it is for us to understand this and fulfill it in a realistic, meaningful way and not just with superficial metaphors.
We should all be zocheh to acquire this wonderful attribute and have all the brachos that will come with it.
Have a wonderful Shabbos.
Bs”d
Parshas Ki Savo (5762)
By Mordechai Dolinsky
As we grow closer to Rosh Hashana we can see the Hashgacha Pratis in the relevance of the parshas hashavua to the vibes of the times. The greatest foundation of our Torah and relationship to Hashem is gratitude which is so clearly pronounced in our Sedra. The essence of our bond to Hashem is that He is our best friend. During this period of Elul when the main focus on Hashem is His kingship and sovereignty over the universe it is especially essential to likewise bear in mind the constant display of love, concern and devotion Hashem bestows upon us. In this perspective it is clear what Hillel claimed was THE MOST IMPORTANT DICTUM IN THE TORAH was not to do to your friend what is objectionable to you, and that “friend” Rashi explains is Hashem.
The mitzvah of the blowing of the shofar has an awesome influence over the determination of the events for the coming year. It is crucial and critical to prepare adequately and accordingly. Familiarize yourself with the halachic significance of the various sounds by learning the halachic structure and framework. Broaden your insight to the spiritual significance of the blowing by studying, for example, the ten reasons for blowing listed by R’ Saadia Gaon which can be found in many ‘machzorim’. Also….
Have a wonderful (Shabbos) week and an even more wonderful year.
Bs”d
Parshas Ki Savo (5760)
by Mordechai Dolinsky
Considering the meaningful Hashgacha Pratis of the sedras it is a little wondrous that here in the middle of Elul and preparing for Rosh HaShanah we have a sprinkle of the Pesach spirit from the Parsha with the Viduy of Bikurim which is the basis of the structure of the Hagaddah of the seder night. The main principle in the viduy of Bikurim is an expression of Hakoras HaTov that is probably the most important foundation of the whole Yiddishkeit. The motivation of our whole observance is totally based on Hakoras HaTov. The opening of the Aseres HaDibros which is the commandment of the belief in HaShem is attributed to the miracle of leaving Egypt and not the creation of the world which would seem so much more in place. This, explains the Chovos HaLivavos is because being released from the bondage of Mitzrayim creates so much more of a feeling of gratitude than that of the creation of the Universe. This; despite the fact that there is nothing greater than the actual creation.
When Hillel expressed that the principle of not doing something to your friend that would annoy you is the whole Torah, Rashi explains “the friend” is HaShem. Just as someone who shows a lack of appreciation repulses us, likewise we shouldn’t act that way towards HaShem. All of the commandments represent some type of appreciation for a related kindness that HaShem bestows upon us.
Also true in our human relationships, the most outstanding element that establishes and molds the relationship and is also responsible for the complexities that keep its mechanism in operation, is gratitude.
In Hakoras HaTov firstly one must be aware of and recognize the nature of the goodness. Secondly one must inwardly feel the gratitude. And thirdly demonstrate it either verbally or in the form of action. This subject matter is so vital and basic it is surely appropriate for our Elul spiritual rejuvenation and preparation for Rosh HaShanah.
……..The terrible spiritual plague we are witnessing today even in so many fine homes of the youth deviating from the way of HaShem might be a manifestation of the tochacha in our Parsha. 28:32 “Your sons and daughters will be given to another people (in a spiritual sense), and your eyes will see and pine for them all day long but your hands will be powerless.” HaShem help us, have pity on your children and rid us of this tragic devastation.
A very helpful suggestion in preparing for Rosh HaShanah is to learn through and memorize R’ Saadya Gaon’s ten reasons (which can be found today in many Machzorim) for the blowing of the shofar on that Holy Day.
It should be a sweet good year for all of us and all Klal Yisroel.
sending...
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