Category: Weekly Parsha

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayeishev (5771)

Bs”d

Parshas Vayeishev (5771)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

It was always difficult to understand Yosef’s mission to his brothers.  He knew the hatred they had and when he couldn’t find them he kept searching!!  Then the insight came –“…he was rectifying the default in the brotherly relationship by his negative reports to his father concerning them.  He was demonstrating his remorse by putting his life on the line; as it actually turned out.

Being sensitive to feeling for others, especially for relatives, is a top priority.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayishlach (5771)

Bs”d

Parshas Vayishlach (5771)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

In our parsha, when Yaakov was informed that Esav’s army was approaching he immediately split up his camps, preparing the escape; then he was mispalel.  Shouldn’t the tefila come first?  Rashi (32:9) explains that “preparing for warfare” is manifested in splitting the camps for escape.  How is running away preparing for warfare?

The Vilna Gaon explains that in the war that Klal Yisroel conducted in conquering Eretz Yisroel they used their swords against the enemy not by physical combat but rather by just pointing to them and thinking all kinds of tefilos.  It would follow that Yaakov Avinu who was on a much higher level fighting with Esav would do the same, even without the swords.  But having to make some hishtadlus it was manifested in the most subtle way possible, just by preparing for escape.  This explains why it preceded tefila, since it demonstrated the epitome of bitachon.

We should all be worthy of closeness to Hashem and to fulfill His Will.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayeira (5771)

Bs”d

Parshas Vayeira (5771)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

One of the most puzzling, astonishing difficulties in the Chumash we find in our parsha—Vayigash Avraham (18:23)—Rashi explains–lidaber koshos—in conjunction with the meaning –“lamilchama”; to speak harshly with HaKasdosh Baruch Hu?  We see that Hashem wants us to relate to Him in a realistic, meaningful way.  How this applies to each and every one of us must be studied.  But Hashem wants the relationship.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Toldos (5771)

Bs”d

Parshas Toldos (5771)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

(25:25) Rashi explains that Esav’s redness of skin was his leaning towards bloodshed.  It was, however, covered up by his wool-like hair; hair which is symbolic of a façade.  This perhaps is why they did not call him Edom for his redness because it was hidden.  The hair itself represents a certain false, charismatic front which always presents a test for Klal Yisroel not to follow its tempting appeal.

Hashem should help us not to fall into this trap of disillusionment and to look up to admire true Torah greatness.

Have a wonderful Shabbos and Good Chodesh.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Chayei Sara (5771)

Bs”d

Parshas Chayei Sara (5771)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Rashi in the beginning of the parsha explains that the pasuk points out that when Sara was 100 she was still clear and clean from “chet”.  What could she have been guilty of?  How much we must be sensitive to fall into wrongdoing.  Avraham refused to let Yitzchok go to Lavan despite how critical it was for the building of Klal Yisroel, not to be in a sinful environment.  How much care we must take today living in a low level society and civilization.  The reward for keeping above is awesome.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Lech Lecha (5771)

Bs”d

Parshas Lech Lecha (5771)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The matter of brochos where things are blessed and increased we see is of the highest priority since it was the first matter Hashem addressed to Avraham Avinu.

Avraham’s sole ideal and purpose was to spread the truth of Hashem.  We, the sole followers in his footsteps must always bear in mind that this is our most vital ideal and purpose, to spread the truth every opportunity and situation Hashem gives us.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Bereishis (5771)

Bs”d

Parshas Bereishis (5771)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The snake was a creature without a backbone; he had a philosophy to take each situation and deal with it as it comes, to twist and maneuver.  Adam was created with a backbone; to have a structure, a certain regimentation.  There are times when we must bend and manipulate our spine as symbolized in the lulav which represents the spine and we shake it and bend it.  The ben-adam must have a framework—derech eretz kadma laTorah.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Devarim Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Nitzavim – Vayeilech (5770)

Bs”d

Parshas Nitzavim Vayeilech (5770)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Because of the major importance of this major gathering that Moshe Rabeinu called before his passing, it has tremendous significance. (29:1) Roshaychem shiftaychem ziknaychem—Rashi quotes hachoshuv choshuv kodem—perhaps we can see here a special depth that the order having the greater first was that the actual manifestation of the “lifnei Hashem” was from the Elokus that was imbibed in the souls and greatness of the leaders.

Also by honoring the greater first we see the supreme importance of derech eretz—a major prerequisite and requirement for receiving of the Torah. This needs to be reinforced by the world and by bnei Yisroel today.

The kavod of Hashem should be revealed by our commitment to His Malchus; kingdom and rule and this will bring blessing for ourselves and for the world for the New Year.

Have a wonderful and significant windup Shabbos for the year.

Devarim Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Ki Savo (5770)

Bs”d

Parshas Ki Savo (5770)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

A very fruitful Elul activity is to prepare oneself for the halachik aspects of the tekias shofar. This, in order to relate more intimately and intelligently to perhaps one of the most important mitzvos of the year—the proclaiming of Hashem’s Kingdom in the world.

It would be also be very productive for one the familiarize oneself with the ten kavanos of tekias shofar quoted contemporarily in many Rosh Hashana machzorim.

Have a wonderful Shabbos and a continued inspiring Elul to be culminated by a shana tova in all ways.

Devarim Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Ki Saitzai (5770)

Bs”d

Parshas Ki Saitzai (5770)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Let’s all inspire ourselves to be engrossed in our Elul avodas Hashem in self-improvement bain adam laMakom and bein adam l’chavero, positives and negatives. There is an immense of Divine help available for those who are so inspired. Ki Saitzai lamilchama—these are our trule life battles. We should all be successful and it should culminate to a shana tova for ourselves and all Klal Yisroel.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

July 2025
S M T W T F S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  

The Weekly Parsha

You can also sign up for specific lists:

Donate To Rabbi Dolinsky’s Kollel in $




Donate To Rabbi Dolinsky’s Kollel In ₪




Archives