Tag: Shoftim

Parshas Shoftim

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Parshas Shoftim (5772)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Shoftim v’shotrim — the concept of the shotrim translated in our personal avodas Hashem is the regimentation that we have to impose upon ourselves to remove ourselves from the arena of nisyonos. In the ruach of Elul we should try to elevate ourselves and put ourselves in the arena of ruchnius especially by davening Shachris, specifically psuka d’zimra and birchas krias shma with inspiration and b’kol and with kavana and we should reach out to Hashem to give us special Divine assistance to succeed in avodas Hashem.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Shoftim (5770)

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Parshas Shoftim (5770)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Rashi (8:9) states that the importance of the knowledge of the devious ways of the gentile society is in order to guide our offspring. This is one of the most important principles of chinuch and perhaps important for all of us. It is especially valuable for our Elul spiritual inventory and spiritual upgrading.

Have a wonderful Shabbos and a successful Elul.

Parshas Shoftim (5769)

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Parshas Shoftim (5769)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

We are at the onset of Chodesh Elul designated for a commitment for self-improvement and supreme inspiration. How can we be realistic in accomplishing this, especially with the failures so contemporarily prevalent.

The solution we can find in the Chazal in our Medrash 5:8 which is a ruchnius nuclear explosion. “All those that put their absolute trust in Hashem receive the Divine powers of Hashem.”

Have a good week and an inspiring, successful Elul.

Parshas Shoftim (5768)

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Parshas Shoftim (5768)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The close proximity of the words Shoftim and Shotrim in our parsha is conventionally understood that the Shotrim would see to it that the decision of the judiciary is carried out. A new perspective is the reverse—the Shotrim assist the shoftim, meaning that the awareness that the shotrim are there and ready gives a more serious approach to the shoftim thereby entitling one to more of a unique, Divine assistance and clarity to the verdict. This serves as a life lesson that in our journey of searching for the truth if we undertake serious commitment to carry out our findings we will be guided on a higher plane.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Shoftim (5766)

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Parshas Shoftim (5766)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Shoftim V’Shotrim; Shoftim is a clarity in the exact manifestation of the truth. Shotrim is the practical realization in carrying out and applying. Here we are in an extremely unique time in respect to the Creation and the history of the world at large. We must appeal and cry to Hashem to enlighten us as to what exactly He expects of us and this very special time.

Have a wonderful Shabbos and enlightening Chodesh.

Parshas Shoftim (5765)

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Parshas Shoftim (5765)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Rashi (16:19) regarding “shochad” enlightens us with the awesome insight that it is impossible to receive a bribe and not to see things in the wrong perspective. What a frightening thought—in matters pertaining to our personal life—because of our materialistic leanings it is as if we are bribed, prejudiced, and therefore it is almost impossible to see things in its true light.

In the light of Chodesh Elul, the month of self-improvement, this presents for us a more significant problem.

Cry to Hashem for help and have good friends that will, out of love, open your eyes.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Shoftim (5764)

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Parshas Shoftim (5764)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The dominant theme of our present period, Elul, is “Ani L’Dodi V’Dodi Li”; achieving closeness with Hashem. This a time Hashem makes Himself available and it is imperative to understand that this closeness is not something which comes about by passive good will. We must actively and aggressively seek this objective of achieving a true binding with Hashem. If we don’t make an extreme realistic effort we will surely not find time for this in our busy schedules. Either in our intensive Torah programs or other commitments; no time for Hashem. The only way is to designate a specific time for the Ribbono Shel Olam. Then we must know how to connect and to be sure that this is “the real thing”, not fantasies.

Wishing you all success and all the blessings that it brings.
Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Shoftim (5761)

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Parshas Shoftim (5761)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The Medrash in our sedra brings the pasuk in Mishlei: “Lech el nemala otzel”—motivating and directing us to observe the ant and be inspired from his diligence, commitment and honesty.

One way of understanding the concept of learning from an ant is that we should have the sensitivity, that by just observing an exemplary demonstration of admirable traits or practices should inspire and motivate us to emulate and adopt it. The Chazal tell us this principle is so vital that they defined a person with wisdom as someone who has feelers out to learn from everyone. “Aizeh hu chacham halomed mikol odom.” The Gemara cites assorted admirable traits we are expected to learn from various gentile nations, some of whom were our enemies and actually possessed many evil traits. Nevertheless, their admirable characteristics the Chazal instructed us to learn from and emulate.

There is, however, another concept in learning from the ant and other animals as Chazal point out we should likewise learn from. Where do these creatures acquire the admirable character, traits, and actions? It is certainly not a conclusion of philosophical thoughts of ideas and not something passed down in their tradition. It is obvious that it was Divinely programmed into their brain and nervous system. Just as Hashem injected into the brain of a spider the complicated ability to construct a web which is the absolute marvel of the most advanced and sophisticated engineers, and the art of the beaver to construct a dam.

By observing these admirable traits that were Divinely programmed into the creation, we can project how many marvelous and admirable traits and characteristics we have contained within us that were likewise Divinely placed.

We find ourselves presently in Elul, the time of the year for rejuvenation and rehabilitation; a time for inspiration to weed out bad traits and rebuild our spiritual anatomy. The knowledge that we possess within ourselves the positive qualities is very reassuring, motivating and inspiring to accomplish the work cut out for us for the month of Elul.

In the generations of the past our forefathers stirred up great spiritual storms and upheavals and in the course of Elul made milestones of positive accomplishments. In our present-day weak generations we are frustrated at the lack of ability to reach the great realizations of our ancestors. I would suggest that we set for ourselves modest goals; small but concrete commitments for self-improvement in the areas we perceive ourselves needing upgrading.

We hope and pray the special z’chus and power of Elul bring us success and a blessing of a wonderful New Year for us and for all Klal Yisrael.

Parshas Shoftim (5760)

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Parshas Shoftim (5760)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The parsha opens: “Shoftim V’shotrim Titen Lecha” and Rashi explains those who pass judgement and those impose authority with a ‘stick and a strap’. There is an aspect of our sedra that can have a strong and important impact on our Elul program of spiritual growth. There are two mechanisms that move people. There is an internal motivation where a person is inspired from within and external factors that play a role in guiding a person on the right path. Each has its place and role in our spiritual functioning and success. The concept of Shoftim and Shotrim is obviously symbolic for the latter, outside motivation, which can be seen as manifested in the following.

Elul has arrived, and we yearn to be connected and for some kind of fulfillment. The focus of our greatest concern is or should be our spiritual welfare, with special focus on our vulnerability to fall into the hands of the yetzer harah and sin chas v’shalom. As a result many of us fall into devastating guilt trips and cry out for Divine assistance. There is a vital aspect of these nisyonos that is important to point out. The usual understanding of dealing with these tests are determined by our ability to harness our store-house of yiras shamayim and the strength of our commitment to fulfill the Ratzon HaShem. Any failure to live up to what is expected of us is attributed to falling short in self-control and yiras shamayim; and indeed often it is. However, a lot of our ‘yeridos’ are in the realm of how we would look upon the following scenario. Someone with a drinking problem that uses a wine storage as a sleeping facility. This example is just symbolic of countless similar situations. After having indulged in some alcoholic beverage that is surrounding him he comes down upon himself very firmly for giving in to his lusts and is off to a self-destructive guilt trip. Then he cries out to Hashem for special Divine support to help him overcome his temptation. What do we have to say to this poor fellow? “CLEAR OUT OF THAT WINE CELLAR!!!”

The Gemara describes an individual who passes through an immodest location and exhibits self-control and doesn’t look. Instead of deserving praise the Chazal are quite sharp in criticizing him for allowing himself to be in a location of temptation. Even if he had the confidence of self-control and he was indeed successful—“WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THE WINE CELLAR?!!”.

So often we yearn to overcome difficult trials pertaining to “bain adam laMakom:” or “bian adam lechavero” and we continue to plant ourselves on the battlefield grounds. Our first move for tshuva and self-improvement in Elul is to examine and evaluate this most important factor. “Shoftim V’Shotrim”— external motivations—one must remove himself from the situation of nisayon.

Best wishes for a successful Elul that should lead to a Shana Tova U’Mesuka for us and all Klal Yisroel.