Weekly Parsha

Shmos Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Shmos 5779

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Parshas Shmos 5779

By Mordechai Dolinsky

3: 2-4:  A most puzzling and difficult point in the parsha  is by the simplicity of how the חומש  presents the episode of how Moshe in his route has taken note of a flaming bush and decides it is something worth his observation.  This was taken note by HKB”H and obviously held in very high esteem that it was the point  that deserved the decision of Moshe the manhig.  What actually was obwserved that was so impressive?  There a few levels that could have caught Moshe’s attention to want to observe; a burning bush not being consumed or even having seen the שכינה there.  We cannot relate to this as anything special enough for him to be called a leader.  Moshe must have seen in the fire a special  גילוי in the dvar Hashem  that was the secret of the dvar Hashem of the 10 makos, the kriyas Yam Suf, the maamad Har Sinai.  This Moshe saw and for this wanted to return.  This min HaShaymin they said this is the manhig!!

The chizuk and inspiration for us is to have a sensitivity and alertness to special gems of ruchnius that are around us.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.  

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayigash 5779

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Parshas Vayigash (5779)

by Mordechai Dolinsky

46:28—A very important and interesting point in the parsha which is overlooked when Yaakov sent Yehuda ahead for preparation  Rashi brings down that he actually sent Yehuda to Yosef so that Yosef himself should clear the area Goshen and to give instructions how the territory should be settled and organized.  פלא על פלא—Yosef the King invites Bnai Yisroel to settle and Yaakov wants to be especially reassured that all is in order?

It is very obvious that the goal in the settlement of the שבטים was isolation.  That is why they were all instructed to claim that they were shepherds, an abomination, and to be geographically isolated to keep away to the epitome from the danger of Egyptian influence.  In this spirit we can say that Yaakov wanted to be assured that the settlement should go direct, swift and glatt.  Without having the Egyptians coming to help the newcomers.  This also explains how Yaakov with this arrangement discouraged Yosef to be מקבל פנים which could have been a reason for an unwelcome welcoming party.

Have a wonderful, up lifting Shabbos.

Chagim Chanukah Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Chanukah 5779

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Chanukah 5779

by Mordechai Dolinsky

 

A new insight to the ruchnius of Chanukah.  Besides the regular kedusha of the fulfillment of all the mitzvos that are connected to Chanukah, over the complete 8 days min HaShomayim there comes a special ruach of inspiration of chizuk in bitachon v’emunah for all Klal Yisroel.

 

The pirsumai nissah of Chanukah is how the Shchinah showed itself so very outstandingly clearly.  How a small minority group of neemanei Ha Torah were victorious over an extremely massive army of sonai Hashem and the Torah.  This is the light of the Menora; the Torah that was saved, this is the light of the Menora.

 

Have a true aliya from the pirsumeir nissah and a freilichen Chanukah.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Mikaitz 5779

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Parshas Mikaitz (5779)

By Mordechai Dolinsky

 

All the items in the dream have significant meaning.  One such factor can easily go completely noticed and in Paroah’s dream I am sure it does by all.  He opens both dreams with himself actually standing at the יאור and makes sure to recall this to Yosef.  Perhaps this can mean that Pharoah just like everything else in the dream was subjects, not in control just like the cows and the wheat.  When בני ישראל arrived he had at his accessibility a nation of the highest intelligence and talents.  This was just ripe for the most advanced nation and Pharoah as a פרה followed Yosef’s direction of having Klal Yisroel completely occupied as isolated shepherds; part of the great effort against assilimation with the Egyptians.

 

Have an inspiring uplifting Shabbos חנוכה.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayeshev 5779 (Extended Edition)

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Parshas Vayeshev 5779

by Mordechai Dolinsky

 

It is so difficult, so difficult to begin to understand how it was possible for the brothers to  make a decision to put an end to the life of Yosef.  Even considering the reports he gave over, the extra love Yaakov Avinu showed him, the dreams reenforced the hatred and the jealously.  Yaakov ran from Esav for 22 years for this fear.  Our tzibur in general failed to relate or to begin to relate to this great difficulty and it would be a great chiddush and accomplishment if they would.

 

Perhaps a thought in one direction; one of our Gedolim made the following important insight–that when one, even a Talmid Chochom, reaches a level of real, strong anger, for a split second, deep down, he reaches a position that he actually take the other’s life.  It can be just a flash, but it’s there.  In this vein for our question, how could jealousy ever lead to an urge for murder we can say — true, it is impossible to arrive in any way to the above as a result of logical conclusion.  However in the depth of the feeling, ‘sinah’ and deep jealousy, and in this case shared by all the brothers…. there is Yosef in his ketones hapasim, standing before them, alone, and their hearts are filled with ‘sinah’ and jealousy; then that spark, the flash, the deep unreasonable urge as we found by anger; REMOVE HIM!

 

The chizuk, of course, is when we are falling into the hands of jealousy or hatred we should try our best to halt it with the strength that we have for who knows what it can lead to.

Have a good week and an inspiring, happy Chanukah.

 

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayeshev 5779

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Parshas Vayeshev 5779
by Mordechai Dolinsky

It is so difficult to begin to understand how it is possible for the brothers to consider putting an end to Yosef’s life. Even considering the dreams, the extra love that Yaakov gave him.

I don’t have the slightest hint to begin to comprehend and the tzibbur at large fails to realize this great difficulty. Perhaps the realization of this, being such a great difficulty is a great chiddush and accomplishment.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayishlach 5779

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Parshas Vayishlach (5779)

By Mordechai Dolinsky

 

After an absence of 21 years Yaakov is at last returning home, having left Esav in a mindset of hatred and is completely ignorant of his present attitude.  Yaakov sends an elaborate, positive message to Esav, communicating the will for brotherly love.  Strangely, in the text of the Chumash we don’t find an answer.  The שליחים did return with a reply from Esav but it was not verbal; עשו הרשע and an army of four hundred marching, pressing forward with hatred and vengeance.  Yaakov receives Esav’s communication of wicked intent and Yaakov’s reaction is clear—he continues to surge on equipped with a presentation of gifts plus Tefilah and readiness for מלחמה.  Amazing, at any moment they can attack.  They finally reached a mutual meeting point, Yaakov bows and the great miracle; Esav’s hatred melts away.    The awesomeness of this great miracle is not quite appreciated as much as it deserves.

 

We should be זוכה to be inspired.

Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayeitzei 5779

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Parshas Vayeitzei (5779)

By Mordechai  Dolinsky

 

29:31 –וירא ה’ כי שנואה לאה—Leah unfortunately was a snuah.  Her predicament, pushed into a forced marriage, her husband really wanting her sister.  It is a peleh to understand why she should be subjected to this.  The pasuk testifies that Hashem feels her tzaar.

 

We have here a most important axiom of life and the way of the Torah.  One is born at times  with a fate, neshama,  that must be snuah.  Leah could have suffered with this with a rasha, a gangster, murderer.  Hashem gave  it to her with Yaakov and to be the mother of Klal Yisroel.

 

Ashrayich she zachis, Leah.

 

Have a wonderful  Shabbos

 

Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Toldos 5779

Parshas Toldos (5779)

By Mordechai  Dolinsky

Something so very difficult in the parsha; Yitzchok has in mind to give the brachos to Esav, and Esav only; he feels him, smells him, to be sure.  Hidden from him, he gave the grand presentation to Yaakov, completely.  The brachos were received, recognized, honored and realized to Yaakov.  How do we begin to comprehend?

A most important factor in the strength of the bracha is actual physical closeness between the giver and receiver of the bracha.  We can observe this physical contact/concept in other areas such as Moshe giving over the leadership of Klal Yisroel to Yehoshua.  Also pertaining to   korbonos we have the physical semichah on the animal.

This has special meaning to us, try to deliver your well-meaning brachos face to face.

Another avenue of thought for the brachos properly reaching Yaakov even if Esav was Yitzchok’s initial address for the brachos  under everything Yitzchok had only one thing in mind, and one thing only and that was Klal Yisroel, its future, its benefit and structure.  And so the brachos went exactly where Yitzchok intended them to with the greatest success imaginable.

Have a wonderful Shabbos and fruitful Chodesh.

Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Chayei Sara 5779

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Parshas Chayei Sara (5779)

by Mordechai Dolinsky

 

I am sure it is in place to observe and to remark that the relating of Yitzchok and Rivka was written, aesthetically speaking, very special, sweet and beautiful.

 

Yitzchok coming up from the field engaged in composing and davening Mincha.  Rivka just arrived with the shaliach, gracefully slipping off the camel, observing for the first time her zivug.  Such a special simcha for Yitzchok, having gone through the traumatic experience of the עקידה .  Rivka likewise deserved such a special arrangement from Hashem to meet her zivug; having done such a noble courageous act of leaving the security of her family with Eliezer, a complete stranger, out to a great unknown world.  Probably the holiness of her soul enlightened her to escape from the wickedness and impurity of her surroundings.

 

With all the hardships and difficult נסיונות they had in their lifetimes, הקב”ה the שולט בכל presented them with this momentous occasion with the epitome of joy and happiness.

 

Have a wonderful, productive week and good Chodesh.

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