Month: May 2001

Bamidbar Chagim Shavuos Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Bamidbar (Erev Shavuos) 5761

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Parshas Bamidbar (Erev Shavuos) 5761

In this week’s sedra we have the designation of the formation of Klal Yisroel for their travels.  Anything at all that the Chumash mentions has tremendous significance but especially when the Torah itself places emphasis on it.  Additional significance can be reinforced by the Medrash which relates that the formation was a reflection of the order of the Shvatim that Yaakov Avinu requested when carrying his ‘aron’ to its resting place in Eretz Yisroel.

This brings us to contemplate into the significance of the four directions that Klal Yisroel was ordered to form themselves while traveling in the ‘midbar’; and the significance of the sequence of how it was presented—east, south, west and then north.

What was the significance of the various Shvatim that were designated to each direction; east-Yehuda, Yissachar and Zevulun—south—Reuven, Shimon and Gad etc.?  What was the significance of the main shevet that was chosen for each direction;  Yehuda—east—Reuven—south etc.?

The Medrash (2:10) gives some beautiful insights, however, the interpretation is still open to our own thoughts—“dig in” and I’m sure you will come up with some beautiful ideas.

Our Yom Tov of Shavuos is coming up and I would like to share the following ‘kabalas haTorah’ related thought on the degalim.  The Medrash in Shmos relates that when Paroh observed Bnei Yisroel marching in its formation, he suddenly had a tremendous insight to the specific outstanding traits that each possessed.  This Chazal gives us a hint that the formation represented various character traits, attributes and talents they possessed.  This formation says that the Torah recognizes and respects all the personality and character traits of the individual and has a place for it in the service of HaShem.

One of the greatest marvels of the Torah is that despite that it is made up of regimentation and strict unmovable, inflexible doctrines; yet Hashem with His infinite wisdom structured the Torah to have room and flexibility for each individual to find himself and exercise his creativity and his personality nuances.  Every neshama can find its personal sense of purpose and utmost feeling of accomplishment in the Torah.

This brings us to a new insight to the offer that HaShem made to all the nations of the world and their refusal.  After hearing the demands of the Torah each nation felt that the Torah did not have the flexibility to “fit in” and cater to its national characteristics.  They felt that the Torah is too rigid.  Bnei Yisroel, too, have their national traits, and so too, each shevet, and individual, yet they shouted and exclaimed “Naaseh V’nishma” .  Hashem, after all, is our Creator, and made our traits, and surely knows our traits.  We have full respect, trust, confidence and loyalty to except without any inquiries and reservations all His commandments.

A wonderful Shabbos and Yom Tov to you all.

Vayikra Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Emor (5761)

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Parshas Emor (5761)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

In perek 23:24 Rashi mentions that “zichron truah” alludes to the saying of the psukim for Zichronos and Shofros and doesn’t mention Malchios.  Food for thought—I’m sure that there is something beautiful and deep here for the taking.

Today is Lag B’Omer and because of its widespread and elaborate celebration here in Eretz Yisroel it takes on so much more significance. Some say the special meaning of this day goes back to Bayis Sheini when Klal Yisroel was harrassed by the Romans and with great mesiras nefesh successfully repelled them.

It is amazing—on this day that the passing of the 24,000 talmidim of Rabbi Akiva stopped, is the very day that his great talmid R’ Shimon Bar Yochai was niftar.  This is very puzzling.

According to some opinions he wasn’t really niftar on this day. Rather, this was the great day that R’ Akiva embarked on the illustrious task of transmitting the Torah to R’ Shimon. It was the day that R’ Akiva exhibited his tremendous strength to stand up and overcome the grief of losing 24,000 talmidim.  There is tendency to overlook this aspect of the whole episode.  R’ Akiva surely had an intimate connection with all of his talmidim.  They wouldn’t have been called talmidim just because they were enrolled in his Yeshiva.  Just the very thought is mind-boggling; how R’ Akiva survived having experienced so many personal tragedies.  To be able to put the pieces together and continue was just amazing.

An important lesson lies in the great fires; through hashgacha pratis Lag B’Omer is celebrated mainly through the lighting of huge fires. Great fires teach us of the strength that comes from inspiration. The lifting of our spirits provides us with the power to overcome every possible obstacle and gives us the insight to proceed and understand situations and people in the right light.

We should all be zocheh to ‘light up’ and ‘enlighten up’.

Vayikra Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Acharei – Kedoshim (5761)

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Parshas Acharei – Kedoshim (5761)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

In our sedra we have the avoda of Yom Kippur and the parsha of ‘arayos’ which seemingly aren’t really related.  As it turns out this is the portion read on the holiest of days. On this day that is most dedicated and devoted to teshuva it is surely understandable that we read from the Torah an area that poses such a prominent and difficult test to Klal Yisroel and the world at large.

This week we also read parshas Kedoshim Tihiyu—as it is a double sedra.  It is puzzling that the break between aliyos is not between the two parshios.  There is a message here—that there is a strong connection in the subject matter between the two.

Rashi explains that Kedoshim pertains specificially to matters of arayos.  By exercising care not to transgress this area of sin, we are creating a kedusha within ourselves.  This is a tremendous new insight and perspective.  Keeping away from sin we would say should leave us at the most at “square one”, nothing accomplished, nothing achieved, just saved from a blemish.

This is truly a secret of the universe, success in overcoming temptation in this area is creating, building and accomplishing.  The Medrash Rabba in our sedra (23:9) explains that all the awesome miracles that transpired to Yosef HaTzaddik, putting him in the royal position he was in, all came about from his abstaining from sinning with the wife of Potifar.  The Medrash shows in detail how each organ and part of his body was blessed from its specific test.

This lesson has specific significance to us in this generation that we have been exposed to difficult tests in this area.  HaShem has presented us with a tremendous opportunity for accomplishment.  It is inspiring to know that every attempt to exercise self-control brings concrete growth and unlimited blessings.

May 2001
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