Tag: Shlach

Parshas Shlach

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Parshas Shlach (5772)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Hashem was disappointed with Klal Yisroel that they petitioned for the meraglim. As Rashi explains in “shlach lecha”—I declared that I would save you from the discomfort of Mitzrayim. Hashem is sensitive and concerned for your comfort. What is your concern of Eretz Yisroel, some problem, that you have the need for spies. Hashe, because of His concern for your needs uprooted and removed you from Egypt. What possibly can be your concern? Hashem has demonstrated the ultimate of awareness and commitment of being there for you. The mere request for meraglim was the denial of Hashem’s demonstration of His love and commitment to you.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Shlach (5771)

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Parshas Shlach (5771)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

The Torah demands of us that we constantly be connected to and under the realization of Hashem.

The land of Canaan had certain negative aspects which the spies connected to however when connected with Hashem everything changes; everything is clear; everything is safe; everything is beautiful.

The climax of the sedra is the mitzvah of tzitzis. The tzitzis is on our clothing, very close, very real. The four corners, kanfos, Rashi informs us are to inspire us to appreciate and be inspired about the wings of the eagles, the kanfei nesharim on which we flew. On our materialistic clothing we are inspired for the deepest connection with the world of ruchnius and Hashem. This is what is demanded of us to be simple members of Klal Yisroel.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Shlach (5770)

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Parshas Shlach (5770)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Rashi (13:2) focuses on the gravity of the sin of “motzi diba” of the spies, that they didn’t take a lesson from Miriam. There is a subtle nuance that she spoke against her brother. Going through all the rationalizations and justifications the aspect that Moshe was her brother, the sensitivity to him should have been the deterrent. With all the pros and cons that the meraglim had, despite all their logical conclusions, the emotional sensitivity of speaking against Eretz Yisroel should have caused them to put on the breaks. Hashem wants us to harness and to put into reality our sensitivity.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Shlach (5767)

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Parshas Shlach (5767)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

In our parsha we have the mitzvah of tzitzis which was given to us as part of a series of mitzvos whose purpose is to serve as a source of reminders of true values and our life’s purpose. Perhaps we might find the hints that Rashi and other sources suggest that tzitzis are symbolic of a bit far-fetched. For example:
The gimatria of tzitzis is 600 plus the 8 strings and 5 knots equal to 613.
The 8 strings represent the 8 days from the time Bnei Yisroel left Egypt until they said shira.
The 4 corners of the tzitzis hint at the 4 expressions of geula—v’hotzaisi, v’hitzalti’ v’goalti’ v’lokachti.
Al “kanfei” bigdaychem eludes to the prophesy and hope that Hashem will gather us al “kanfei” nesharim. (and many more).
Perhaps what Chazal meant by these is that they were not the intrinsically intended hints but rather presenting examples of an approach for ourselves to use as tools for individual projections of significance.

As a result of their acceptance and sympathy to the report of the spies Bnei Yisroel were deprived entry to Eretz Yisroel. Conventionally, this is viewed as something very negative. The idea of being confined to the desert for 40 years seems equivalent to imprisonment. We must understand that for a human to exist in a desert without the necessary sophisticated equipment would be fatal. For the multitudes of Klal Yisroel to exist in the desert was only possible through constant miracles; all their physical needs were taken care of by Hashem in the form of constant Divine intervention. All their time was occupied by intensive Torah learning. It was one great, awesome Kollel! Because of their reaction to the spies they weren’t ready for the glorious era of entering Eretz Yisroel—they still needed the rich spiritual reinforcement offered in the Kollel of the midbar; this being very far from the prison concept.

We all need a midbar in our lives—a time and situation for intensive, spiritual building to draw from our whole lives.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Shlach (5766)

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Parshas Shlach (5766)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Hashem Himself promises absolute success in acquiring Eretz Yisroel and conquering it from the 7 nations. Yet, Klal Yisroel finds it necessary to send military spies.

This is all taking place while Hashem is sustaining them miraculously in the desert. How can we understand this; is there any rational comprehendible thought process?

Perhaps it is the human need to be “in control” or just the doings of the yetzer hara.

Hashem, the Creator of the world, our Best Friend, commits Himself and reassures us completely; attach yourself to Him, it’s your best bet.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Shlach (5764)

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Parshas Shlach (5764)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

In our sedra the meraglim are quoted saying that they felt like grasshoppers in the presence of the Cnanim and likewise that is how they appeared to them (13:33). The Medrash (16:11) relates that Hashem was willing to ignore, overlook and excuse the first part of the perspective of how they felt that they appeared but the second part of their image in the eyes of the Cnaanim was unforgivable. How were they supposed to know how they appeared; this doesn’t make sense. Hashem demands of us to be logical and make sense. He overlooks so many of our weaknesses but is very stringent about making sense. This should be a great source of awakening to us about many issues.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Shlach (5762)

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Parshas Shlach (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

In our sedra, in the aftermath of the realization of their guilt in accepting the slander, we find a misguided attempt by Clal Yisroel to rectify their grave sin. Almost in a state of hysteria, they gathered their forces to fight for Eretz Yisroel. This is a lesson which is extremely pertinent; after the realization of wrongdoing comes to light we are overcome with great pangs of guilt which can lead to irrational, illogical acts to rectify our blunders. This can be much worse than the original sins. We must never lose ourselves and always find the way of Hashem for the true repentance and spiritual rehabilitation.

In Perek 12:39 the pasuk relates: “Vayisablu HaAm Meod”. After the sin Clal Yisroel fell into a great sadness. This is one of the worst outcomes of sin; a remorse that leads to depression, which is in itself a great catastrophe. The individual is unsuspectingly under the false impression that this is all part of a very successful ‘teshuva’, repentance. There is no place in our serving Hashem for ‘atzvus’, depression. R’ Chaim Vital refers to it as one of the greatest spiritual pitfalls.

We are living in a time of history that we are surrounded by many spiritual pitfalls and therefore prone to fall in their traps (Hashem should watch over us and protect us). We should keep this inspiring lesson before us always.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Shlach (5760)

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Parshas Shlach (5760)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

“Baderech SheAdam Rotzeh Leileich Molichin Oso”. HaShem sets up, arranges, directs and leads according to the aspirations and goals of the individual. In the Heavenly Tribunal they go deep into our hearts and examine our thoughts and our intentions. Our lives are structured and guided accordingly. This can be very inspiring and motivating or depressing. This is one of the most important principles and bears awesome consequences in our lives and existence.

In this week’s parsha we are enlightened with an entirely new insight as to the depth and dimension of this principle. The parsha opens with explicit instructions for the operation of spying and sizing up the situation in Eretz Yisroel. It was important and crucial to get the vantage point from a military outlook. All this was in preparation and anticipation of the great war with the inhabitants of Canaan to capture their land (which was promised to us). The detailed instructions from HaShem, the military orders from Above, amounted to a Shulchan Aruch of ‘Hilchos Meraglim’:
–Where to send from—
–Who to send—
–Which route to start from in Eretz Yisroel
–What exactly to look for—
–Is the land good or bad—
–Are the cities fortified or not—
–If the land is fat or emaciated—
–See if there are trees–
–Bring back some fruit of the land—
–Cover the area of search from Midbar Tzin until Rechov Levoh Chamos.
Military orders from Above which amounted to a Shulchan Aruch.

All of these commandments with their details seem to add up to a serious statement, an insight to the Ratzon HaShem. In light of all of this, how shocking and surprising is the Chazal that Rashi quotes 13:2: Ani eini mitzaveh lach”—I am not commanding you to send the spies, it is all up to you. Explicit instructions, a Shulchan Aruch from Above, and Ani eini mitzaveh lach—I didn’t command you!! Listen to the words of the Medrash 16:7: Af al pi sheamar HaShem Shlach , lo haya min Hashem!

“Baderech SheAdam Rotzeh Leileich Molichin Oso”. According to his desires and goals man is led–good aspirations one way and wrong aspirations the opposite way. Look where man can be led with his crookedness. Things can look right and promising but he is being misguided and misled because of wrong goals. The implication of this is that he can get wrong advice from the right sources if his intent is wrong—very frightening indeed.

In our parsha we have this matter taken to a completely new dimension. HaShem confirmed for Klal Yisroel—“the land is good”. They didn’t except this and requested spies. Not only were they misled but also something completely new was created—a Shulchan Aruch composed by HaShem, which usually is the epitome of His Will. A SHULCHAN ARUCH WAS MADE BY HASHEM WHICH WAS AGAINST HIS WILL. How we must guard our inner will to keep it straight.

Especially in this generation we see the manifestation of this principle. Individuals so far spiritually and geographically wind up close to Torah and visa versa. The ones that were far have some deep inspiration to come close and Hashem guides them and unfortunately the opposite scenario for those that reject.

HaShem, we all want to do it right!

Parshas Shlach (5761)

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Parshas Shlach (5761)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

To be cognizant of the blessings we have from Hashem and to be thankful and happy for them is well known to be a major part of our service to Hashem.  We have, however, a Medrash in this week’s parsha that sheds a completely new light on the subject.  Medrash Rabba (16:20) “Vatisa Kol HaAida Vayitnu es Kolom”.  Hashem proclaimed that you cried in vain before Me, now I will establish a wail for generations.  At that time the destruction of the Bais HaMikdash was decreed so that Bnei Yisroel will be dispersed among the Gentiles”.  The biggest tragedy that has befallen Klal Yisroel is the churban and as the Medrash itself explains that the worst aspect of it was the end result of being dispersed among the gentiles.  All the subsequent tragedies that struck Klal Yisroel are a consequence of the churban; including the holocaust and the contemporary horrors.

The Chazal through the special auspices of Divine inspiration enlightened us to something that would otherwise be secret and unknown.  HaKadosh Baruch Hu was bestowing upon us a tremendous blessing, an awesome gift and treasure.  Klal Yisroel, instead of appreciating it and instead of being overcome with the greatest feelings of gratitude, complained.  What would we say should be the punishment for complaining about a blessing?  The greatest calamity that ever befell us!!

This lesson has special significance to us today.  We are living in a time that unfortunately we are witness to many tragedies.  At the same time Hashem is showering us with many gifts and lavish blessings.  The tzoros must not blind us to the gifts and we must lift our hearts and voices in true praise.