Tag: Matos – Masai

Parshas Matos – Masai (5769)

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Parshas Matos – Masai (5769)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The revenge we took on Midyan was for the spiritual damage to Klal Yisroel. This brings us to a true focus and perspective for our only and true purpose of existence—our spiritual success. Not also ruchniyus or mainly but only and any materialism is all a support.

Hashem give us our Bais HaMikdash so that we can cling to You and to ruchniyus.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Matos – Masai (5767)

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Parshas Matos – Masai (5767)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

We have in our parsha a great lesson of how critical it is to have the right intentions at the outset of embarking upon new endeavors. Rashi quotes the Chazal (33:51//2) that it was critical for Klal Yisroel when crossing the Yarden to enter Eretz Yisroel to keep in mind that they were to destroy the edifices of avoda zara.

Bnai Gad and Reuven requested the “aiver hayarden” to enable them to be shepherds which allowed them more time for their spiritual growth. This places our focus on time which is the very essence of life. Just as we see fit to hire accountants to assist us with our monetary issues, it is equally imperative to have a sensitivity in using our time.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Matos – Masai (5766)

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Parshas Matos – Masai (5766)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The current situation calls for our strengthening in the perceiving of the all encompassing presence of Hashem in a high level of reality. This, the Nefesh HaChayim reveals, is a tool for survival in all situations of any kind of danger.

The current events call out for the general upgrading of our spiritual level.

The present period of ‘bein hametzorim’ and the current events cry out for the yearning that the Kovod Shomayim and the Kingdom of Hashem be reinstated and recognized by the entire universe.

Have a wonderful, meaningful Shabbos, and a month of redemption.

Parshas Matos – Masai (5764)

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Parshas Matos – Masai (5764)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

In our parsha we find in regard to nedarim, women under the jurisdiction of their fathers or husbands. Beside the dry, technical aspect of this halacha, there is an obvious statement of the Torah outlook in regard to a very basic issue; the role of a woman in relationship to her husband and father.

Nowhere in the world do we find the female elevated, respected and held in the highest esteem more than in the Torah ideology. When the world was still degrading and holding women in the lowest esteem we accepted women to fill the role of the highest prophets and judges. Yet the Torah teaches us loud and clear that the husband has the role in the home as the “leader”. The woman is held in the highest esteem for her unique traits especially the extra wisdom her has. But the husband is the leader.

How significant this lesson is to us in this point of history when in our civilization the rebellion of womanhood has been totally accepted. (The supremacy of the father and husband is one of the greatest sins and atrocities that the middle-east cultures are accused of). This terrible darkness has even infiltrated the ranks of the shomrei Torah u’mitzvos and is largely responsible for the breakdown of our society. Our Parsha should be an inspiration and guidance of the truth.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Matos – Masai (5762)

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Parshas Matos – Masai (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The Medrash in this weeks’ parsha brings a Chazal that reflects a basic foundation that is related to almost areas of our avodas Hashem and is likewise specifically related to the present “bain Hametzorim” (22:1). If one devotes himself to Torah and Mitzvos he will be exempt from his worldly obligations. Many would understand this as a type of reward however getting to the root it is related to the principle seen from the episode when R’ Akiva was jailed for publicly teaching Torah and his nephew after criticizing his uncle, was likewise imprisoned for political reasons and declared: Lucky are you that was imprisoned for Torah. It was Divinely decreed for us both to be imprisoned. Lucky are you who fulfilled this obligation through Torah. Getting back to our Medrash if one is destined to sweat and toil lucky is the one to fulfill this Divine decree in Torah.

A certain amount of sadness is decreed—lucky is the one who fulfills this through his mourning over the Churban.

We are living and experiencing the extreme darkness of the galus and we should be zocheh to see the redemption speedily in our days.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Matos – Masai (5760)

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Parshas Matos – Masai (5760)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

We are now about to reach the realization of the promise that HaShem made to Avraham Avinu back in Parshas Lech-Lecha—‘yerushas haaretz’, the acquiring and settling in Eretz Yisroel. So much has transpired since that promise, so many years of galus, so much suffering, including the torturous slavery in Egypt and the years of wandering the desert. Now it is drawing to its finale. The joy of now being able to enter and settle in Eretz Yisroel, something which Moshe Rabainu and Aharon HaKohain were deprived of as a punishment, has now become a reality for Klal Yisroel. Just at this glorious point of history the tribes of Reuven, Gad and part of Menashe petition to separate themselves from the rest of Klal Yisroel, because of their abundance of livestock, and forfeit the yearned for, suffered for, stupendous, magnificent right to Eretz Yisroel. They prefer to settle where they were presently located, which was more suitable for their livestock. This seemingly utterly absurd request reflects such a lack of respect, regard, appreciation or any value for Eretz Yisroel.

One would think that for being guilty of such callousness and disrespect for HaShem’s prized possession they would be greatly censured and criticized. In one Medrash (22:7-8) we find comparatively minor accusations against them; either not waiting until HaShem presented them with the land that was allotted to them, or that they separated themselves from the body of Klal Yisroel. In the Chumash itself Moshe Rabbenu complained to them that their breaking off and settling would have an adverse effect on the spirit and confidence of the rest of Klal Yisroel– also a far cry from the great ‘avlah’ they seemed to be guilty of. We have to understand why in the light of the true perspective of the Torah and Chazal are they innocent of what seems like a great crime?

I wish to share the following thought on this perplexity. Understanding this properly relates perhaps to one of the most important principles of life. The most precious commodity (if we can call it that) we have in our lives, is life itself. Life, the actuality of our existence, the essence of our existence, boils down to what we call–TIME.

The Gemara relates an incident of an Amora when crossing a field of thorns lifting his robe, allowing the sharp edges to pierce his flesh instead of his clothing. In explaining he replied—to repair the clothing requires time, his flesh heals on its own. Time is too precious–it is life itself.

In comparing the personal effort and involvement between agriculture that was the main source of income in Eretz Yisroel, and caring for livestock, the former requires a much greater investment of time. Caring for livestock where the animals are left to graze on their own affords their owners relatively more freedom and time, our most precious commodity. We mustn’t lose the absolute, true perspective and true paradigm. Eretz Yisroel is so important and so precious, but time is life itself, the opportunity for growth and true accomplishment. Nothing in the world can come close to it.

Hope we shall see the ‘geulah sh’layma’ through Moshiach Tzidkainu.

Parshas Matos – Masai (5761)

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Parshas Matos – Masai (5761)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

In our sedra we have the parsha of nedarim, one exercising his power to make something otherwise permissible forbidden on himself.  The usual understanding of the function of these vows is to engage in a self-deprivation as a means of spiritual uplifting.  The Mesilas Yesharim (13) gives a beautiful insight in understanding this abstaining in the proper light.   On one hand we find that Chazal condemns and criticizes self-deprivation and at the same time an appreciation and glorification of the same.  The Mesilas Yesharim makes peace between the two showing where each is applicable.

There is a whole other aspect of nedarim, the making forbidden the permissible, which involves one of our great principles.  There is a mentality that permeates the world that if one has an ideal it is considered admirable and noble to attempt and yearn to perform something that demonstrates one’s belief and allegiance to the ‘cause’.  This concept spills over into the ranks of ovdei Hashem likewise.  At first glance it seems logical and makes sense.  It is, however, opposite of the Torah and the ratzon Hashem.

The reason is that one of the great secrets of the universe is that mankind is challenged by a great enemy who has power and control, the yetzer harah.  No human has the right or is in the position to take up a challenge against him.  No human can have the self confidence and self assurance in his own resources and strength that he can stand up and demonstrate his allegiance and commitment without the fear of complete defeat.  Of course, once it is Divinely ordained to be thrown into the battlefield he must harness all his energies to do his best.  But from his own vantagepoint, a person must do everything to avoid confrontation.  The world challenges, ‘are you a man or a mouse”?  We reply—A MOUSE!  We have nothing and no assurance that we can cope.  We pray “al tashlet banu yetzer harah”.  We don’t challenge, we attempt to limit our confrontation.  One of our resourceful tools is the neder.  We enlist the power of the vow to assist us to keep away.  The lesson of the neder is: run from the nisayon.

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Klal Yisroel is plagued with tzoros, poverty—sickness—divorce—childless couples – children going astray, it is all the result of the churban.  We have a lot to mourn for and lot to hope for—the geula sh’layma through Mashiach Tzidkainu.