Parshas Ki Sisah (5771)

Bs”d

Parshas Ki Sisah (5771)

by Mordechai Dolinsky

The purpose of counting Klal Yisroel through the giving of the coins was to avoid the ‘ayin harah’; the number was the essence, so how could this be avoided by the system of counting through coins? One way we can understand this is that the fact that the coins were a mitzvah and even moreso, a kapara. In greater depth this can be understood that the ayin harah was seeing the person and his attributes which was avoided by counting through an inanimate object.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Ki Sisah – Parshas Para (5762)

Bs”d

Parshas Ki Sisah – Parshas Para (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

In our sedra we have the awesome episode of the “chet haegel”.  As part of the “clean up” process the commandment was given to consume a drink made up of the gold of the calf, pulverized and mixed with water.  There is an extremely enlightening explanation of this which can be a valuable tool for our service to Hashem; offered by the Ramban.  The gold of the eigel traveling through our digestive system is eventually eliminated in the form of the feces.  This creates a negative association.  This practice of repulsion is a valuable aid in keeping away from transgressions.

There is so much positive inspiration waiting for us if we can abstain from transgressions.  This is the concept of preparing for Pesach by the purification of the “para aduma”.

Have a wonderful, beautiful Shabbos.