Weekly Parsha

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayeirah (5762)

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Parshas Vayeirah (5762)

We can’t neglect to relate to today’s loss of our Gadol Hador, Harav Shach zt”l.  Many don’t know that he was a talmid muvhak of the giant of Torah of our generation, the Brisker Rav.  Every criticism he expressed concerning R’ Velvel’s Torah was cherished by R’ Velvel as a gem.  In his son-in-law’s hesped, he read Rav Shach’s tzavaa, in which he expressed his love for Klal Yisroel and his talmidim and his extreme mesiras nefesh for them.  Torah and Chessed.  The theme of our parsha is Avraham Avinu’s chessed.  The formula for existence in this period before Moshiach is to preoccupy ourselves with Torah and Chessed.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Lech Lecha (5762)

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Parshas Lech Lecha (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

It is imperative to understand and appreciate the miracle in our sedra Lech Lecha that Avraham and Sara had their long longed-for child.  It wasn’t through a cure of some medical problem, physically it was a complete impossibility for them to reproduce.  When you have self-awareness of your existence and you are looking around and see a fellow Jew, you are seeing a complete miracle.

Avraham earned this because he devoted himself to search for Hashem, emulate Hashem and spread universally his findings.  The nation Avraham and Sara produced was for this ideal and for this we are all here.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Noach (5762)

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Parshas Noach (5762)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

In our Parsha we find Noach’s priority was to plant a vineyard.  Although Noach was criticized for this there was surely an important motivation which we would like to understand.  I heard from my Rebbe, Rav Avigdor Miller zt”l that a person having animosity towards an individual for a wrong which he can’t forgive, he discovers that under the influence of wine that he has a warm spot in his heart but hesitates because it is not really truthful.  He should flow along and allow himself to be influenced.  Hashem placed chemicals in the world to help smooth the differences with fellow man.  Hashem allowed Himself to be influenced by Noach’s sacrificies (8:21).  The mabul came about because of lack of love and good feelings among people.  Noach planted the vineyard as a tool to bring warmth among people.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Bereishis (5762)

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Parshas Bereishis (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

There is a beautiful and natural hadran of Habracha and Bereishis in the Medrash of Zos Habraca (11:3), a debate between Adam HaRishon and Moshe Rabeinu as to whom is greater.  Adam points out the greatness bestowed upon him from Hashem.  Moshe’s rebuttal is mine lasted and yours was confiscated……food for thought.

Rashi quotes the rebuttal to the complaints of the umos haolam that we are bandits.  Hashem gave Eretz Yisroel to us.  Obvious question, that we acquired it through war.  The answer—even the goyim understand that victory is “mayais Hashem yatza hadavar”.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Devarim Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayailech (5762)

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Parshas Vayailech (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The name of our parsha, VaYailech, as is very often, is extremely significant for our current time.

The depth of understanding Rosh Hashana is that as the year comes to its end the whole creation is released from its gear and it is again reset anew. This means that the mechanism that caused anything and everything to exist and function last year has completely terminated and is no longer in existence. The world as we observe it now is what it is because of special Divine Will; not because it continues on as we previously observed it. Sara Imainu wasn’t capable of childbearing—this was changed on Rosh Hashana. Being a classical example of this phenomenon is why this portion is read on that day. The name of our parsha accurately describes this—VAYAILECH—we move on to a new existence.

This actuality is not easy to perceive since generally speaking the creation as we see it mistakenly looks like a continuation, which it is not. The new existence is determined on Rosh Hashana, but for most of us the Heavenly decision is stretched over the ‘10 days of repentance’. These significant days should be understood as a stretched Rosh Hashana.

We should all be worthy to be able to fulfill our purpose in this world; amidst health, financial security, nachas and true simchas hachayim.

A wonderful Shabbos to you all.

Devarim Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Netzavim (5761)

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Parshas Netzavim (5761)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

“Atem Nitzavim” — You are standing today before Hashem. It is Erev Rosh Hashana, we are indeed standing before Hashem. Clal Yisroel, the U.S.A., and the world in general this week have lived through an event, an experience, so awesome, that we can simply know that are standing before Hashem.

In such a circumstance — one can not help but feel awed and experience a lacking of the exact words to say and comfort.

In this era of time, we are without the tools of the tactility to visualize and connect to Hashem in the conventional concept and manifestation of a kingdom and royalty. Our present world is void of the real actuality of Malchus.

With our present current events, above the clouds of smoke, dust, rubble, debris, and carnage, immerses the divine royalty, the divine kingdom and the awesome Malchus Shomayim.

This is the last Shabbos of the year. The Rebbe, Rav Avigdor Miller, z”l always inspired us to make this Shabbos a very special one in every way.

May the Shofar and our Teffilos this Rosh Hashana completely turn over the Middos Hadin to Rachabim Rabim, and bring with it the blessings of the most wonderful prosperous happiest year.

Good Shabbos

Devarim Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Ki Saitzai (5761)

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Parshas Ki Saitzai (5761)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

In our parsha we have a delicate issue of someone attracted to a non-Jewish captured young lady. Such a great tragedy, to be overcome with false love and infatuation. He allows himself his callous indulgence rationalizing that he is possessed by ahava. Rashi quotes the Chazal that this tragic beginning will likewise end in the tragic relationship developing into hatred. Even our emotion of ahava is Divinely ordained. He was possessed by the love as a test to reject her. He failed and as retribution it will now be Divinely ordained that he will hate her.

We witness an echo and a reflection of this, currently in our society, by the terrible deception in thinking that the main criterion for choosing a marriage partner is solely based on the presence of this feeling of infatuation and false love. True love is cultivated after marriage in the course of years.

As we come closer to Rosh HaShana it is crucial to prepare ourselves for the important mitzva of tikias Shofar. It is highly suggested that we familiarize ourselves with the study of the ten reasons for blowing, enumerated by R’ Saadaia Gaon, found today in many machzorim. One should invest as least a few weeks to study and memorize them and practice integrating these thoughts among the various shofar sounds. It will greatly enhance and give true significance to this most important mitzva.

A lovely Shabbos and a wonderful New Year to all.

Devarim Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Ha’azinu (5762)

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Parshas Ha’azinu (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Rashi at the beginning of the parsha sets the tone for the whole sedra. The events of the world testify and participate in the responsibility of the commitment of Klal Yisroel. An awesome manifestation of this is what the world, the United States and Klal Yisroel has been witness to and experienced in Manhattan.

On one hand the wounds are too raw and it may be too premature to search for the Divine lessons. On the other hand the tragedy is so spoken about and the videos replayed there is the fear that in the near future it will be repulsive to mention the subject.

There are two ways the truth and its vital lessons are clouded and difficult to access. Sometimes they are hidden and hard to see and sometimes they are so obvious they miss our proper attention and attentiveness. As a wise man once said things are hidden from us by being under our nose. The lesson many have derived is the realization of the false confidence place in the U.S. and its supposed infallibility. Are we remaining with the disappointment like deflated balloons or are we refocusing our faith, emuna and bitachon in Hashem?

The lesson is too awesome and precious to be chas v’shalom lossed. Have a wonderful, meaningful Shabbos.

Devarim Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

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.

Devarim Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Re’ai (5761)

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Parshas Re’ai (5761)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

This Shabbos is a very special one—mivorchim Chodesh Elul. The Shabbos brings a bracha to the Rosh Chodesh which brings bracha to the whole month which in turn brings bracha to its culmination—Rosh HaShonah—which will bring bracha to the whole next year ‘haboh oleinu litova’.

We hope and pray to be able to “use” Elul to uplift ourselves in allthe areas of Avodas Hashem.

Our Parsha Re’Ai, to see, there are so many things we can see with our eyes clearly that can help us in our avodas Hashem and bring us successfully to fulfill our purpose. There was an agnostic in Vilna in the time of the Gaon and the Gaon’s talmidim asked him why he doesn’t use one of his various powers to “show up” the fellow and help him see that he is wrong. The Gaon replied, pointing to the table in front of him, I can put the whole “maareches shomayim”, the sun and moon and all the celestial bodies down right here on the table but it won’t do a thing for him, he is not interested. How much we must attempt to assure that WE ARE really interested so that we will be capable of seeing the open demonstrations that constantly surround us. It will give us the strength, the conviction and the clarity to successfully fulfill the purpose of our existence and bring bracha to our lives, to Klal Yisroel and the whole Creation.

A gut Shabbos, a gut Chodesh and a wonderful year.

May 2024
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