Sometimes It's Good To Be Bad (Parashat VaYeira)

At the end of this week's parasha, Hashem instructs Avraham to take Yitzchak and sacrifice him.  Avraham obeys, wakes up early and takes Yitzchak, two servants, wood for the sacrifice, and saddles his donkey to travel to the place that Hashem showed him.  When they arrive, Avraham builds an altar, ties up Yitzchak and places him on the altar to be sacrificed.  He takes the knife in his hand and extends it at which point an angel calls out to him and instructs him not to kill Yitzchak.  As the pasuk states, the angel told Avraham "do not send forth a hand on the lad nor do anything to him."

Rashi explains that the reason the angel added not to do anything to Yitzchak is because, upon being told not to slaughter him, Avraham argued that he would have come for no reason and pleaded with Hashem to at least let Avraham cut Yitzchak and extract some blood as an offering.  Hashem's response was not to touch Yitzchak at all after which the angel states "now I know that you are G-d-fearing."

Why is it that when Avraham had the knife in his hand and was ready to kill his son who he loved so dearly, it wasn't clear that he was G-d-fearing, rather only after he didn't kill him??

I once heard a beautiful explanation as to why...

In actuality, the test of Akeidat Yitzchak was a two-part test.  Part one was a test to see if Avraham was willing to sacrifice his son.  Part two was a test to see if he was willing to not sacrifice him.  As is indicated by the Rashi quoted above, once Avraham was given a commandment by Hashem - he had difficulty with the idea of not completing it.  Therefore, it was only after he accepted the task of not fulfilling the commandment that Hashem knew how G-d-fearing he was.  Very often we get so caught up in our desire to keep Hashem's Torah that we fail to recognize the cases when Hashem doesn't want us to.

As a member of Hatzalah, I am sad to see that I have experienced far too many calls on a motzei-Shabbat where a person is experiencing chest pain or the like.  When we question the patient as to when the pain began, he states that it started on Shabbat.  When questioned further why he didn't call earlier, the patient responds he didn't want to desecrate Shabbat.

It was only after Avraham didn't slaughter Yitzchak that Hashem saw he was G-d-fearing!!  Sometimes, the test is not will we keep the commandment - rather, will we violate it!

May Hashem grant each of us the wisdom and understanding to differentiate between when we should do the right thing, and when the wrong thing IS the right thing.  With this wisdom, may we be zoche to always follow Hashem's commandments (even when He is commanding us to violate a previous one) and in this zechut may we see the coming of Mashiach speedily in our days...

Shabbat Shalom!

Nobody's Perfect (Parashat Lech Lecha)

In this week's parasha, we are introduced to the mitzvah of Brit Milah (circumcision).  The Torah teaches us that, at the ripe old age of 99, Avraham was circumcised.

Rabbi Dovid Orlofsky points out that, if you look at the mitzvah of Brit Milah - it seems rather pointless!  Medically speaking, the foreskin which we remove serves no positive purpose whatsoever and - in actuality - would only be detrimental to the person if left on.  That being the case, why does Hashem create us with it if we were then going to be commanded to remove it 8 days later?  Anyone who has had the z'chut of making a Brit Milah knows that it would save a lot of planning, pain (to the baby) and money if we could just forgo the entire process and be born without the foreskin!

Rabbi Orlofsky goes on to answer this question rather beautifully...  He explains that the purpose of Hashem creating us with a negative trait which we would be commanded to remove was to teach us that, just as He created us with negative physical traits, He also created us with negative characteristics - anger, jealousy, etc.  One might think to himself "if Hashem gave me a temper, that must be how He wants me" and therefore the person would not work on overcoming this characteristic.  Rather, look at the mitzvah of Brit Milah and see that - just because Hashem creates you with something, that doesn't mean he wants you to keep it!  Through this mitzvah Hashem is teaching us that he does not want us to keep the parts of us that are negative or detrimental - he wants us to remove them!!

May we all work on ourselves to overcome and "cut off" our negative characteristics just like we cut off the foreskin of a baby boy.  In doing so, may we merit to see the coming of Mashiach speedily in our days...

Shabbat Shalom!

When Opportunity Knocks... (Parashat Noach)

In this week's parasha, we are told that Noach was a tzaddik (righteous person) "in his generation."  Rashi explains that the term "in his generation" indicates that, had he lived in another generation, he would not have been so special.  The midrash expounds that the reason for this is because Noach was given 120 years to get people to do teshuva and yet he didn't even get one person to do it.

Later in the parasha, after the flood has subsided - Noach plants a vineyard, gets drunk and passes out naked in his tent.  The pasuk states that Ham (father of Canaan) finds Noach and runs to tell his two older brothers who deal with the matter.  When Noach awakens he says "Cursed is Canaan."  Why Canaan??  Rashi says that it was, in fact, Canaan who originally saw Noach.  Rather than tending to him, he ran and got someone else who then got someone else.  This is why Noach curses Canaan.

Based on these two Rashi's, Noach and Canaan seem to share a negative trait - both of them were slow to perform mitzvot.  Each was presented with an opportunity to do something positive - and, instead, they let the opportunity slip away.  This teaches us a wonderful lesson!

So often in life, Hashem presents us with opportunities to do something.  Though it may be easier to pas it up and let someone else do it instead - that is not what Hashem wants, and it is not what we should want!  Rather, we should jump at the chance to to the mitzvah!!  Noach was documented in the Torah as a "tzaddik in his generation" - but this is only because of who he is being compared to.  Perhaps, had Noach really tried to help others he could have gone down in history as tzaddik stamm!!

Baruch Hashem, last week my wife and I were blessed with the birth of another son whom we named Yitzchak after my father a"h.  My father, a retired Senior Center director, devoted his life to helping and doing for others.  He never passed up the opportunity to lend a helping hand.

Anyone who knows my wife knows that she never makes it to the 40th week of her pregnancy - each of our children have been born before their due date.  Yitzchak, however, chose to break that mold.

This past Succot, as we sat in the succah, we were all discussing how crazy it was that my wife was still pregnant - upon which someone at the meal commented "the baby isn't finished learning Torah yet."  We know that while a child is developing in his mother's womb, an angel sits with him and teaches him the entire Torah.  In fact, the Rambam explains that the reason a bris is done on the 8th day is because we take 7 days to mourn the loss of Torah. 

Noach and Canan were similar in their slowness to perform mitzvot.  My father and son are similar in their desire to do mitzvot!!  It is my greatest beracha to Yitzchak that he never lose that desire and that he continue to follow in the footsteps of his namesake.

As for the rest of us, may we take heed to the lesson of Noach and Canaan and may we never pass up on the opportunity to do a mitzvah.  Rather, may we run to do it "b'simcha."  In this zechut, may we merit to see the coming of Mashiach speedily in our days!

Shabbat Shalom!

No More Excuses (Yom Kippur)

Tomorrow marks the "Day of Atonement" - arguably the holiest day of the year for the Jewish People.  It is a day when all of us stand before our Creator and plead with him to grant us another year of life - one that is filled with "health, happiness and success."  Often, in an attempt to persuade Hashem, we make Him promises that we will be better if He grants us the chance to - we will learn more Torah, give more charity, etc.  When we make this promises, we truly do mean that we will try to fulfill them.  Sadly, when the day has ended and it comes time to deliver on what we've said - we often fall short (myself included).

We want to learn more Torah, but it is so hard to find the time with our hectic schedules.  We want to give more charity, there just doesn't seem to be any room of it in the budget.  We want to do many things, but we have many reasons why we can't.  In response to these "wants" and "reasons", I want to share with you a story about an inspirational group of young men who have fulfilled this "wants" despite the "reasons" they couldn't.  After reading it, perhaps each of us will have a different approach to our "New Years Resolutions" this time around...

Baruch Hashem, Darchei Yitzchak opened its doors and began giving classes in the first week of August.  Since we've opened, there has been a core group of four young men who have been with us every step of the way.  They attended the first class and have been going strong ever since!  They don't just attend the classes, they recruit their friends to attend as well - aiding in the growth of Darchei Yitzchak.  The fact, however, that the attend classes isn't what makes them inspirational - it's the story behind them.

Boy # 1 lives in New Jersey and, each night, drives into Brooklyn strictly to attend shiur at DY.  As soon as shiur is over - he drives back to NJ.

Boys # 2 and 3 work in the Bronx and don't get our until 8p.m.  Being that shiur starts at 8:30 - they make sure to head directly to DY, not even taking a moment to stop and change their clothes.

Boy # 4 is the lucky one.  He works in Brooklyn - only about a 10 minute ride from DY.  His only hardship is that he works about a 14-hr shift each day before coming to shiur.

Each of these boys range from age 20-23 and certainly have the "reason" not to fulfill their "want" to come learn - but they do it anyway.  In addition, each of these boys has pledged some form of donation to DY.  In response to this, one may argue that it's easy for them because they don't have families to support.  Firstly, some of them are helping support families - their struggling parents.  As for the others, while they don't have families to care for, they also don't have a huge income and could certainly benefit themselves from the money they've given to DY.  Despite this, they contribute - because they "want" to.

I truly find these boys to be inspirational.  Not because they attend or support Darchei Yitzchak, but because they learn Torah and give charity - when they have all the "reasons" not to.  In fact, what prompted me to write this post was a text message I received from one of the boys today informing me that since attending DY, he has increased his Torah learning and started praying shacharit and going to selichot.

It's amazing what one can accomplish when we ignore the "reasons" why we can't...

May we all take a lesson from these boys and, upon the completion of Yom Kippur and our promises this year, may we think twice about giving in to the "reasons" not to fulfill our "wants".  In return, may Hashem grant each of us a year of growth, health, happiness, success and may we merit to see the coming of Mashiach speedily in our days!

Tizku l'Shanim Rabot!!

A Promise Is A Promise (Parashat Nitzavim-Vayeilech)

"You are standing today, all of you, before Hashem, your G-d...for you to pass into a covenant of Hashem, your G-d, and into His oath that Hashem, your G-d, forges with you today, in order to establish you today as a people to Him and that He be a G-d to you...Not with you alone do I forge this covenant and this oath, but with whoever is here, standing with us today before Hashem, our G-d, and with whoever is not here with us today."

In my experience in speaking with students, I find a common difficulty that people seem to have in committing to religion, namely G-d, is that they feel a disconnect.  Granted, Hashem supposedly had a series of conversations with Israel during their trek through the desert - but what does that have to do with us?  The answer can be found in this week's parasha - and it is beautiful!

I think it's safe to say that human nature is to always put ourselves first.  In fact, I remember the night that I was accepted into Hatzalah.  They gathered all of the new members for an orientation so we could fill out some paperwork and learn a few of the standard procedures.  Among these procedures were the "10-codes" -  every emergency personnel organization has its version of them (10-4, 10-5, etc.).  Hatzalah has a code "10-1" which means call home.  When this code was explained to us, we were told the way to remember it was "the most important person in your life is 'you' so 10-1 means call the #1 person, call your house."

This week, Hashem takes the opposite approach.  He gathers the entire nation and begins making them a promise.  He promises to make us a people for Him and, in return, He asks us to make Him our G-d.  Rashi points out that He takes the initiative - first promising to always be there for us and then asking us to be there for Him.  This promise that He makes us is our proof that this world is created for us - not Him.  If we were the ones making the promise, we would say that if He agrees to be our G-d, we'll be His people.

So what does all of this have to do with us?!  The pasuk  says "not with you alone do I forge this covenant and this oath, but with whoever is here, standing with us today before Hashem, our G-d, and with whoever is not here with us today."  The Midrash Tanchuma points out that in the beginning of the parasha the Torah states that all of Israel was present.  Rather, says Rashi, it is referring to "the generations who are destined to be."  It is referring to us.  This week, Hashem makes us, as well as all past and future generations a promise that He will always be there for us.  All He asks in return, is that we allow him to.

May Hashem grant each of us the ability to set Him before us in everything that we do.  With the Yomim Noraim fast approaching, may we recognize this covenant that we established and carry it out as promised.  In this zechut, may Hashem bless each of us with a year of health, happiness and success and may we merit to see the coming of Mashiach speedily in our days!

Shabbat Shalom!!

The Secret to Success (Parashat Ki Tavo)

"It shall be that if you listen to the voice of Hashem, your G-d, to keep, to perform all of His commandments that I command you this day, then Hashem, your G-d, will make you supreme over all the nations of the earth.  All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you listen to the voice of Hashem, your G-d:

Blessed shall you be in the city and blessed shall you be in the field.  Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb, and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your animals; the offspring of your cattle and the herds of your flocks.  Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl...you shall be only above and you shall not be below - if you listen to the commandments of Hashem, your G-d, that I command you today, to keep and perform..."

 

 

People always seem to be looking for the "secret" to being successful.  We attend workshops and seminars on how to improve our skills in whatever business we are in.  When introduced to an individual who has achieved great success, we bombard them with questions - quickly pulling out a pad and paper (okay, these days it's a smartphone) so that we can take notes on how they achieved "greatness."  We do all of these things and more in the hopes that we do will be successful.  However, it is all a big waste!

 

In this week's parasha, Hashem teaches us the "trick" to being successful not only in money and business, but in every aspect of our lives.  He makes us a promise that, if we keep and perform all of the commandments that he gave us, we will want for nothing in life!  Rashi comments earlier in the parasha  regarding the phrasing "that I command you this day," that on each day the commandments should appear new in our eyes as though Hashem is commanding them on that day.

 

Imagine, if we go through life with the mentality that today Hashem commanded me to keep the Torah (and He did!), we would have much less of a struggle in upholding it's laws.  And in return, Hashem would reward us by making us Kings and Queens of the world.  Truth be told, this should be no surprise to us!  Very often, when a person is in need of something (a recovery, help with parnassa. etc) he is instructed to take upon himself to improve in a particular mitzvah.  This parasha is the source for that instruction!  Everyone is always looking for a get-rich-quick scheme, well here it is!  Keep Hashem's commandments and you will be the richest person on earth!

 

 

May Hashem give us the strength and determination to uphold His commandments and, in return, may He keep His promise to provide us with blessing after blessing.  In addition, may He provide us with the greatest blessing of all - the coming of Mashiach speedily in our days!

 

Shabbat Shalom!!

Green Light Doesn't Always Mean Go (Parashat Ki Teizei)

The intersection on my corner happens to be a very dangerous one.  Cars always seem to be running red lights, seemingly with no regard for the pedestrians or the other vehicles.  The other day, I was walking home from shul with a neighbor when - once again - a car ran the light, nearly hitting us.  Naturally, a conversation then ensued about the dangers of the intersection and my neighbor mentioned to me that whenever he is at a red light there, he always waits a few seconds after it turns green just in case a car runs the red.  I found this to be very interesting.  Most people will argue that a green light means that the have the right of way.  There have been numerous times when, if I didn't drive immediately when the light turned green, cars behind me would begin honking as though it is my duty to drive.  My neighbor, on the other hand, feels it is an option - not a duty.  According to this weeks parasha, Hashem feels the same way!

"When you will go out to war against your enemies...and you will see among its captivity a woman who is beautiful of form, and you will desire her, you will take her to yourself for a wife."

Ki Teizei starts out by discussing an interesting halacha.  It states that if, during war, a man finds one of the women from our "enemy" to be attractive, he is permitted to take her as his own wife - regardless of whether or not she is previously married.  What is interesting is that the Torah does not use the standard lashon of "you shall" or "you must."  Rather, it says "you will."

Sefer Zikaron explains that the reason for this is because the Torah is not giving us a commandment in this verse, it is simply giving us permission.  The sefer explains that Hashem understands the fact that a man's desires are heightened when he as at war and so he may be inclined to desire a woman who is, initially, forbidden to him.  For this reason, Hashem makes an exception and allows the man to take this woman as a wife.



However, Rashi points out that several verses later this "blessing" Hashem gives us to take her as a wife becomes a "curse" of it's own: "If a man will have two wives, one beloved and one hated...the firstborn son will be born to the hated one..."  Rashi states that if the man indeed marries this woman, his destiny will be to hate her and to father from her a rebellious son.  If that is our destiny, why does Hashem allow us to do it?  Why not simply forbid the act in the first place??

My 4-year old son likes to sit on the arm of our couch.  I constantly find myself telling him to get off because it is dangerous and he can get hurt.  He, of course, insists that he will not get hurt.  A few weeks ago, he sat himself on the arm.  When I told him he is going to fall and hurt himself, he (once again) insisted it wouldn't happen.  Rather than arguing with him, I said the following "ok, sit on it - but if you fall, don't complain about it."  Sure enough, he fell (b"H there were no injuries) and gave me a look of "ok, you were right."

As parents and educators, sometimes we must allow the child to make a mistake in order to learn his or her lesson.  The fact, however, that we are "allowing" them to do something does not mean we encourage doing it.  In this weeks parasha, Hashem reinforces that concept fully and there is a beautiful lesson to be learned!!  Just like despite the green light, my neighbor doesn't always drive because he knows the risks that lie ahead, so too Hashem gives man permission to take the wife but illustrates the risks that lie ahead.

The moral of it all is that just because we have permission to do something, that doesn't always mean it is a good thing to do.  We must weigh the pros and cons and determine what is the right thing to do - not simply the permissible thing!

May we all be careful to do what is right in life, not only what we are allowed to do.  In this zechut may we merit to see the coming of Mashiach speedily in our days!

Shabbat Shalom!

Be All That You Can Be (Parashat Shoftim)

"Judges and officers shall you appoint...and they shall judge the people with righteous judgement.  You shall not pervert judgement, you shall not take notice of (someone's) presence, and you shall not take a bribe...Righteousness, righteousness shall you persue..."

This weeks parasha discusses the appointment of judges over the cities.  However, I would like to take a deeper look into the parasha and the message it still carries for us today...

Firstly, we are told to appoint judges to will judge with "righteous judgement."  In other words, judges who will hold us to a higher standard - not let us off easily.  While today, most of us are not responsible for appointing judges (except on election day), in actuality we appoint judges for ourselves every day!  When we choose our friends, our mentors and our rabbis - we are choosing the people whose judgments we will follow.  It is important, when doing so, to remember the commandment above - to choose judges who will judge us righteously.  We must associate ourselves with people who will build us up, not bring us down!

Next, we are told not to pervert judgment.  Most, if not all, of us know the difference between right and wrong.  We know what it is that we are supposed to do.  And yet, when placed in a tough situation we will try to manipulate it to our benefit.  The pasuk says we cannot do so!  We can't twist and turn the situation until it fits.  We must accept it as is and do what is right.

Third, we are commanded not to "take notice of (someone's) presence."  Rashi explains this to mean that we should be overly kind to one party (perhaps because we know or like them) and cruel to the other.  There is a profound message within this!  If a judge, whose job it is to judge fairly is capable of judging unfairly because they are fond of one of the parties involved, how much more are we - the "simple" folk - susceptible to falling guilty to this.  We must be sure not to place ourselves in a situation where we can potentially do something wrong because of how favorable we find the other person involved to be.

Fourth, the Torah tells us not to except a bribe.  Again, Rashi comments that a bribe will blind a person, making it impossible for him to do the right thing.  Everybody likes receiving gifts, compliments or being treated to a meal.  However, we must be careful to take each of these things with a grain of salt as they can, potentially, come back to haunt us!  We must remember that, at the end of the day, it is most important to do the right thing and we cannot allow that thing to be "blinded" by the gift someone is giving us.

Finally, all of this culminates to a very powerful commandment that, I fear, many people don't realize we have - to persue righteousness!  We commanded by the Torah to be the best that we can be!!  It's so easy in life to take the easy way out.  So often I'm approached by students asking for a heter (permission) to do things because it would be easier than to keep the halacha.  However, in this weeks parasha Hashem tells us that is not what he wants!  He doesn't want us to find the loophole, he wants us to persue greatness.

I recently had an encounter with a student in which he did persue greatness, and I was so very proud:

I received a text message the other week (as I often do) regarding the kashrut of a particular bakery that I was not familiar with.  Not only was I not familiar with the bakery, I hadn't heard of this hashgacha either.  I then called a colleague of mine who is more familiar with the "out of town" hashgachas who suggested that the student would be better suited visiting a different bakery, though he didn't outlaw the one in question .  My response to the student was a rather cryptic one "I'm told it's not so reliable" - in which case I did leave him the option to still visit the bakery he inquired about.  His response, "Okay, then better not to eat it."

What a perfect answer!!  The student fulfilled the commandment in this weeks parasha to the fullest!  He had an opportunity to take the loophole, but instead he persued greatness!  Chazak u'Baruch to him!!

In today's day and age, it can sometimes be difficult to do the right thing and easier to pervert judgement and do what is wrong instead.  Throughout Tanach we are referred to as a "great nation" and, in order to maintain that title, we must always make sure to hold ourselves to a standard of greatness.

May Hashem grant all of us the ability and strength to always aim higher.  May we set goals for ourselves we never thought we could reach and then blow them out of the park!  In doing so, may we merit to see the coming of Mashiach speedily in our days...

Shabbat Shalom!

Give and Ye Shall Receive (Parashat Re'eh)

"Every firstborn male that is born in your cattle and in your flock, you shall sanctify to Hashem, your G-d...Before Hashem, your G-d, shall you eat it, year by year, in the place that Hashem will choose, you and your household."

In this week's parasha, we are told that we must sanctify every firstborn male in our cattle to Hashem - which means we must give it to the Kohen.  The parasha goes on to tell us that, if you do this, you will eat it year after year.  Rabbi Moshe Feinstein zt"l asks a question on this pasuk - if I gave the firstborn to the Kohen, how is it possible that I will eat it every year?!?  His answer is quite beautiful...

The fact that I possess a firstborn means that my cattle has just started to earn me an income - it has started reproducing.  I can now let out a sigh of relief and know that money is on the way!  Just at that moment, however, Hashem tells me that I must give my cattle away.  How will I ever earn money?

Says Rabbi Feinstein, Hashem commands you to give away your firstborn.  He then promises you that, if you do so, He will provide you with cattle to eat year after year!  In other words, the reward for giving away the little that you have is a gift of having a lot!!  

It is easy to give away something that you have a lot of.  The challenge is giving away something you have a little of.  When a person wins the lottery, he has no problem giving a portion of his victory to charity - but what about before he wins the lottery?  Is he willing to give up a portion of his regular earnings if he isn't rich?Hashem is teaching us that we don't have to wait until we win the lottery to give charity.  Give it now and your reward will be the fact that you never need to win the lottery!

May we all have the emunah to give even that which we do not have.  As a reward, may Hashem bless us with an abundance of wealth, health and prosperity; and in the z'chut of our giving - may we merit to see the coming of Mashiach speedily in our days!

Shabbat Shalom!

May we a

Eat, Drink and Be Merry (Parashat Eikev)

You will eat and you will be satisfied and you will bless Hashem, your G-d, for the good land that He gave you.  Take care lest you forget Hashem...lest you eat and be satisfied...and your heart will become haughty and you will forget Hashem, your G-d, Who took you out of the land of Egypt from the house of slaves..."

In the midst of an awe-inspiring message in the beginning of this weeks parasha, a seemingly random emphasis is suddenly put on what we do when we eat.  The parasha starts out telling us what wonderful rewards we will receive if we listen to Hashem (a topic I will certainly re-visit another time) and then goes on to recount the many things Hashem had already done for us while we were in the desert.  Last, it begins telling us about the Land we are being brought to and all of the wonderful things we can expect to receive there when, all of a sudden, we are told that when we eat and become full, we should bless Hashem.  I would be ok with that, except that just a few lines later the Torah again begins talking about what happens when I eat and become full.  Only this time, it tells me that if I don't bless Hashem afterward - I am haughty.

What gives?!?

I am absolutely horrible at fasting.  It is not uncommon for me to spend much of a fast-day in bed with a migraine and to feel extremely weak at the end of the fast.  I know this to be the case, I am fully aware of it and I mention it any time I discuss the practice of fasting with others.  And yet, when it is not a fast-day, do I appreciate the fact that I am able to eat?  Do I actively think about the fact that if I wasn't putting that food or drink in my mouth I would probably be lying in bed feeling sick?  The answer, sadly, is no!  Despite my appreciation for food when I cannot have it, when I can - it is taken for granted.

In this weeks parasha, we are given a list of gifts that Hashem is going to lay upon us - streams, wheat, figs, honey; we are promised that we will eat without poverty and lack nothing; we will have stones of iron and mountains full of copper.  Then we are reminded, when you eat from these gifts and you feel that you are full - remember to thank Hashem for all that He has given you.  Remember to appreciate it!  For if you do not thank Him for the food that He gave you and you do not stop to recognize that all that you have, He gave to you - then you will have forgotten Him!

I remember when I was a Freshman in college, I used to substitute at a Yeshiva in Boro Park my brother taught at to make some money.  One time I was particularly low on cash and my bills were coming due when I received a phone call from the principal asking if I could come in to work the next day - perfect!!  For the next 24 hours I walked around (literally) saying "I'm so lucky, I'm so lucky."  I did this until I received another phone call from the principal telling me that the teacher I was to be subbing for could make it in at the end and so he didn't need me.  Hashem taught me a profound lesson that day.  "You think you're lucky, he asked.  I'll show you that you and luck have nothing to do with it"  Bli Ayin Hara, ever since that day I always make it a point to stop and thank Hashem when something goes well.

The lesson I was taught that day is the same lesson we are being taught in this weeks parasha.  The Torah is reminding us that, even for something as seemingly insignificant as eating, when we get full - we should recognize that it was only through the hand of Hashem.  Of course, this rule applies to any other "gift" that He gives us.

May we all be zoche to recognize that everything we receive in this world is only given to us because Hashim wills it to be that way.  Once that realization is made, may we succeed in showing our appreciation to him properly.  In doing so, may we merit to see the coming of Mashiach speedily in our days.



Shabbat Shalom!

The Power of Prayer (Parashat V'Etchanan)

"I implored Hashem at that time, saying, 'My Lord...Please let me cross and see the good land that is on the other side of the Jordan...'"

Rashi explains that the word ואתחנן - I implored - has an alternate meaning of I prayed.  From that interpretation, we can learn that Moshe prayed to Hashem for two things: to cross the Jordan and to see the land on the other side.

A few pasukim later, we are told Hashem's response: "Ascend to the top of the cliff and raise your eyes westward, northward, southward, and eastward, and see with your eyes, for you shall not cross this Jordan."  Rashi, again, comments that the statement for "and see with your eyes" was in response to Moshe's second request - to see the land on the other side.

From this we see that, although he did not get "everything" he asked for, Moshe prayed to Hashem and Hashem granted his request.  For those who will ask, "why couldn't Hashem grant him both requests?" - look two pasukim earlier for your answer...  Hashem says to Moshe "It is much for you!"  Rashi explains this pasuk to mean that Hashem has something greater in store for Moshe.

I used to have hanging in my office a picture that read

"G-d's 3 answers to your prayers:

1. Yes

2. Not Yet

3. I have something better in mind"

In this weeks parasha we see that Moshe received all three answers.  To his request of seeing the land, Hashem told him yes.  To his request of crossing the Jordan, Hashem said "no - I have something better in mind."

We do not understand Hashem's reasoning behind what he does.  For this reason, it is easy for us to get angry and frustrated when things don't go our way.  It may seem to us as though Hashem is ignoring our pleas.  However, if we just look at the first two paragraphs of this weeks parasha, we can understand that when we pray, Hashem does hear us and He does answer us - sometimes it may not be the answer we think we want - but at the end of the day, we must remember that Hashem knows what is best for us.

May we all be zoche to improve our tefilla - to appreciate and understand that Hashem is always listening to us.  In doing so, may all of our prayers be answered and may we merit to see the coming of Mashiach speedily in our days!

Shabbat Shalom!

A New Beginning (Parashat Devarim)

This weeks parasha begins the final chapter in the Torah.  Moshe, under the instruction of Hashem, takes this as an opportunity to prepare Klal Yisrael for their final journey by reviewing with them everything they have done (both the good and bad) thus far and giving them some foresight into what is coming.

There exists a dating website - "www.sawyouatsinai.com" which, in its "about us" page, indicates that its name is derived from the midrash which teaches that every Jewish soul stood at Har Sinai - including yours!  Simply put, we were all present at the giving of the Torah - whether we remember it or not.

The pasuk begins: "These are the words that Moshe spoke to all Israel...".  Rashi comments "all Israel" teaches us that every Jew was present to hear the rebuke.  This way, nobody would be able to mock his brother for accepting the rebuke and argue"had I been there, I would have answered back."

So frequently I am bombarded with questions from students arguing that if Hashem would speak to them personally, they would accept His words.  The fact that He spoke to Klal Yisrael, they argue, is not sufficient.  In response to this and in conjunction with the midrash of Har Sinai, I would like to offer the following additional interpretation of "all Israel"...

Perhaps, the pasuk does not limit itself strictly to the Jews of the time when Moshe spoke.  Perhaps, similarly to every soul having been present at Har Sinai, Moshe's message was a message to ALL ISRAEL - a message to those present in that generation and for all generations to come!  If we interpret the pasuk in this light, we can appreciate much more the lesson that Moshe was teaching!!

May we all recognize that Moshe was speaking to all of us when he rebuked Klal Yisrael and may we internalize the message he was giving.  In doing so, may we merit to see the coming of Mashiach speedily in our days!

Shabbat Shalom!



*In addition to this week marking the beginning of a new chapter in the Torah, it also marks the beginning of a new chapter for Darchei Yitzchak - a wonderful organization founded in loving memory of my father, Yitzchak ben Nachum, a"h.

Darchei Yitzchak provides nightly Torah classes for High School and Post-High School boys and girls (respectively) as well as recreational activities (basketball for boys and baking for girls) thereby giving them an opportunity to learn more about their heritage in an informal setting and to questions that which they do not understand.

With an emphasis on the "why" and "how" of Judaism, the mission of Darchei Yitzchak is to instill in each of its students a belief in G-d and to teach them the foundations and reasons behind the laws of Judaism; enabling them to accept the Torah because they believe it is true - not because they are told it is.

Please visit our new website, www.DarcheiYitzchak.org, to learn more information about the organization and to see our schedule of programs (coming shortly).

To Be, Or Not To Be (Parashat Chukat)

Before I became Principal of my current Yeshiva, I was a Rebbe there for approximately three years.  During that time, I was notorious to the students as the "chilled out Rabbi" who was always willing to lend a hand and help get a student out of trouble.  This was, I believe, a great part of my success with students during that time.  Unfortunately, when I gave up my position as Rebbe to accept the leadership role of Principal in the very same Yeshiva, my relationship with the students - by default - changed as well.  Baruch Hashem, I still maintain a very good relationship with majority of the students - but being that it is my role to discipline, I am no longer perceived as the "chilled out Rabbi" (though I still manage to find a way).

It seems to be the nature of society to dislike the leader.  No matter what he or she is really like as a person, we often assume leaders to be mean and against us - so we choose to stay away from them.  Despite this, however, it also seems to be the nature of society to strive for leadership roles.  The title of "leader" is highly coveted and considered to be very chashuv.  I find it very interesting that people are so willing to be disliked simply so that they can be called "leader."

In this weeks parasha, Aaron teaches us a profound lesson on what our priorities in life should actually be...

After hitting the rock rather than speaking to it as instructed by Hashem, Moshe and Aaron are told that they will not merit entering Israel with the rest of the nation.  Hashem tells Moshe to take Aaron and his son Elazar up to Mount Hor.  Once there, Moshe was to take the holy garments off of Aaron and put them on Elazar after which Aaron would die.  The men do as they are told and Moshe and Elazar descend from the mountain.  "The entire assembly saw that Aaron had perished, and they wept for Aaron thirty days, the entire House of Israel."  Rashi explains "the Entire house of Israel" to mean "the men and the women, for Aaron would pursue peace and instill love between parties to a quarrel and between a man and his wife."

So many of us are focused on achieving the leadership role and being disliked.  Aaron had a different mission.  Aaron's goal was not to be leader - let Moshe handle that.  Instead, Aaron's life was dedicated to helping others succeed and be happy.  Indeed, for doing so he was rewarded with a leadership role of his own - Kohen Gadol.  He did not strive for or earn this role however - rather, he deserved it.

May we all take a lesson from Aaron that more important than being the leader is helping others and may we all make it our goal to do so.  In accomplishing this, may we be zoche to see the coming of Mashiach speedily in our days!

Shabbat Shalom!

From Zero To Hero (Parashat Korach)

"As for the fire-pans of these sinners against their souls - they shall make them hammered-out sheets as a covering for the Altar, for they offered them before Hashem, so they became holy; they shall be a sign to the Children of Israel"

In this weeks parasha, Korach and some 250 men come before Moshe and Aaron to challenge their roles as leaders of Klal Yisrael.  Moshe instructs them to prepare an incense-offering and, according to Rashi, whoever survives it shall be leader.  The men do as Moshe says and the following morning Hashem sends forth a fire that consumes all of them.  Afterward, Hashem instructs Moshe to tell Elazar to take the fire-pans and convert them to metal sheets which will be used for the Altar.  There is, however, a strangeness about this incident....

As quoted above, Hashem refers to the fire-pans as being "of these sinners against their souls."  If He acknowledges that they were, indeed, so evil - why would they merit to have their utensils used as part of the Altar?  One of my esteemed rebbeim - Rabbi Dovid Orlofsky - once recounted the following incident during class:

While davening mincha on a Shabbat afternoon, the gartel (belt) for the Torah ripped as it was being closed up.  Without hesitating, a fellow congregant pulled his tie off and offered it as a replacement.  When Shabbat was over, the gentelman returned to reclaim his tie.  The Rav of the shul saw him and asked "what are you doing?"  "I'm getting my tie back" answered the man. "No, no" replied the Rav, "that isn't your tie anymore.  When you placed it on the Sefer Torah, it became kadosh (holy).  It's not a tie anymore - it's a gartel now.  I'm afraid you cannot have it back."

Often times, people genuinely want to grow in their practice and devotion to Hashem but they are held back by the thoughts of their past - insisting that it is impossible for someone like them to be religious or to be accepted.  Countless students have said to me over the years "Rabbi, how can I be religious?"  In truth, their argument makes sense!  It is human nature for us to judge a person based on their past.  If we know that a person was once a thief, we will think twice about leaving them alone in our house.  Of course, there is also the well-known expression regarding dating "once a cheater, always a cheater."  Society does not allow a person to break free of who they used to be!

Hashem, however, is not society!!  As we see in Parashat Korach, despite who/where the fire-pans came from and despite their horrific reason for being used in the first place, we are told "they offered them before Hashem, so they become holy."  Even something as simple as a tie was able to achieve a level of holiness once it was placed on the Sefer Torah.  If a fire-pan and a garment can achieve kedushah (holiness), how much more so can a person who - as the Torah states - was made in the image of G-d?

The pasuk goes on to explain that the "sign to the Children of Israel" is that anyone who is not a descendant of Aaron cannot being an incense-offering.  Rashi explains that the sign is a reminder of what happens to those who dispute the priesthood.

I would like to offer a third possibility.

Perhaps, the sign is a reminder to us that - despite our past - anybody who offers himself to Hashem can become "a part of the Altar".  Anyone who wants to can be holy.

May we all realize our potential for greatness as Jews and may we not be held back by "who we were" rather always looks forward to "who we can be."  In doing so, may we merit to see the coming of Mashiach speedily in our days!

Shabbat Shalom!!

Just Believe (Parashat Shelach)

I am a big fan of Disney's "Prince of Egypt."  Though growing up my brother loved and was able to quote "The Ten Commandments", I personally never really cared for it.  "Prince of Egypt", on the other hand - I enjoyed greatly!

I recall a very powerful scene in the movie:  B'nei Yisrael had reached the Yam Suf with nowhere else to go, the Egyptians are closing in on them from behind and everyone is overcome with fear.  The character of Miriam begins to sing a song about the ability to achieve miracles.  The final line of the song before she actually switches to the Hebrew words of "Az Yashir" are (this part is particularly powerful) "You will when you believe..."

In this weeks parasha, Moshe sends a representative from each tribe to inspect the land and return with feedback for the rest of the nation.  They do so and, upon their return, they acknowledge that the land contains everything Moshe had promised - yet they insist that its inhabitants are too strong for them.  Instantly, Klal Yisrael begins shouting out in unison their standard complaint "Would that we had died in the land of Egypt, or would that we had died in this wilderness!  Why is Hashem bringing us to this land to fall by the sword?  Our wives and young children will be taken captive!  Is it not better for us to return to Egypt?".

Hashem becomes infuriated and asks Moshe "To what point will this people anger Me, and how long will they not have faith in Me, despite all the signs that I have performed in its Midst?".  Rashi explains the statement "despite all the signs" to mean "because of all the miracles that I did for them, they should have believed that in My hand is the wherewithal to fulfill my promise."

Often, students insist to me that "If Hashem showed me a miracle today, I'd become religious!"  I insist in return that they would not.  Perhaps the miracle would provide them with temporary inspiration, but ultimately that inspiration would run out and, like B'nei Yisrael in the desert, they would stop believing until another miracle was performed.

How is it possible that Klal Yisrael kept doubting Hashem despite the many miracles He performed for them?  The answer is that their belief in His ability to sustain them was based on the miracles He was performing.  They saw miracles, and so they believed.  Miriam's character sings in the movie : when you believe, you can achieve miracles.

If one is to truly build a partnership with HaKadosh Baruch Hu (the Holy One, Blessed is He), they cannot seek out miracles and then believe in Him based on that.  Rather, they must believe in Him first - and once they do so, they will see miracles in every aspect of their life.

May we all be zoche to strengthen our Emunah - our belief - in Hashem and to believe in Him not because of the miracles we have seen, but to see the miracles because we believe in Him.  In doing so, may we see the coming of Mashiach speedily in our days.

Shabbat Shalom!

Knowing Your Limits (Parashat Beha'alotcha)

"Miriam and Aaron spoke about Moshe regarding the Cushite woman he hadmarried, for he had married a Cushite woman.  They said, 'Was it with Moshe only that Hashem spoke?  Did He not speak with us, as well?'  And Hashem heard.

Now the man Moshe was exceedingly humble, more than any person on the face of the earth!"

I remember when I first started as a Rebbe in Yeshiva.  We were praying shacharit and duirng the amidah I looked around the room and noticed that the boys had finished, but the Chazzan did not begin his repetition yet.  Immediately, I understood that he was waiting for me to finish.  I must admit, when this happened, I felt a sense of pride.  After all, I'm only human!

We are currently in the midst of the fourth book of the Torah.  Ever since the first mentioning of Moshe Rabbeinu, we haven't stopped hearing what a wonderful, glorious leader he was.  The praises that have been sung for him are never-ending.  If that is the case, how could he possibly be so humble?  Why is it that I feel pride when my talmidim wait for me to finish praying, but Moshe Rabbeinu felt nothing when G-d Himself was praising him?  The answer to this question can be found almost an entire chapter before being titled "more humble than any person on the face of the earth."

Exhausted and frustrated, B'nei Yisrael began complaining to Moshe that they were tired of the manna they had been receiving - they longed for meat!  Hashem's anger flared up and, unable to handle it anymore, Moshe makes the following plea to Hashem:

"Why have You done evil to your servant; why have I not found favor in Your eyes, that You place the burden of this entire people upon me?  Did I conceive this entire people or did I give birth to it, that You say to me, 'Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a suckling, to the Land that You swore to its forefathers?  Where shall I get meat to give to this entire people when they weep to me, saying, 'Give us meat that we may eat'?  I alone cannot carry this entire nation, for it is too heavy for me!  And if this is how You deal with me, then kill me now, if I have found favor in Your eyes, and let me not see my evil!"

Within this statement, Moshe expressed two great attributes that afforded him the title which he received...

Imagine you were the starting quarterback for one of the teams playing at the Superbowl.  Your team is down by two points with just enough time left for one play - the coach tells you to throw it deep.  Clearly, the pressure is all on you.  If you didn't feel confident in your ability to make the play - perhaps you feel too exhausted from the rest of the game - would you have the courage to tell your coach to pick someone else?  While I cannot speak for others, I know that I would not have that courage.  Many of us strive in life for the leadership role and, once we have it, we do not want to give it up - even if we know we aren't right for it.  Moshe, however, possessed that courage.  He acknowledged that he could not do the job alone - and he expressed that to Hashem.  This is one of the things that made him so humble.

Moshe's second attribute is illustrated by Rashi.  In the end of the above mentioned pasuk, Moshe states "let me not see my evil" - but what evil did Moshe commit?  Rather, Rashi explains that the evil Moshe was referring to was that of B'ne Yisrael.  Being the humble man that he was, Moshe did not wish to point fingers at anyone else.  For this reason, he called the evil his.

May we all learn from this two amazing traits of Moshe Rabbeinu and may we, too, train ourselves to be as humble as he was.  In doing so, may we merit to see the coming of Mashiach speedily in our days!

Shabbat Shalom!! 

Insider Trading (Parashat Naso)

This week's D'var Torah is l'iluy nishmat my Grandmother - Malka bat Yehuda HaCohen, a"h

"Hashem spoke to Moshe, saying, 'Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying: So shall you bless the Children of Israel, say to them: "May Hashem bless you and guard you.  May Hashem illuminate His countenance toward you and endow you with grace.  May Hashem lift His countenance to you and establish peace for you."  They shall place My Name upon the Children of Israel, and I shall bless them.'"

Last year, a gentleman came to my Yeshiva offering me "investment packages" for my staff.  I'm certainly no scholar when it comes to finance, but the gist of the idea is that my staff would take money out of their bi-weekly paychecks pre-tax and the money would then be invested.  This is done frequently in businesses as a means of long-term savings accounts or retirement plans.

I recall that one of the selling points this gentleman mentioned to me was that his company would keep a close, watchful eye over the money being invested and that - periodically - the money would be moved and invested in different areas.  Their reason for doing this was to ensure that our money was constantly being invested in the areas with the highest return - so we could get the biggest "bang for our buck."

Rashi comments on the first of the three-part beracha being given to us by the Kohanim - "May Hashem bless you and guard you."  He points out that in any other instance where one would be given a gift, the responsibility of the "giver" for that gift ends once it is received.  If it would subsequently be stolen, that would be the problem of the recipient - certainly not the giver!  In the case of Hashem, Rashi says - He is both the giver and the guard.  Not only does He give us blessings, but He watches over us and the blessings being given to ensure that all goes well.

This gentleman who came to my office last year wanted to convince me to allow his company to invest my money - promising they would watch over it for me and ensure it was being invested well.  Little did he know, I have the greatest "Investment Banker" of all watching over my money, my home, my family and everything else I could possibly care about - and He watches over them constantly, not periodically!

May we all be more cognizant of the profound depth that Birkat Kohanim carries and may we grow to appreciate this beracha even more than we already do.  In this zechut, may Hashem shower us with berachot, and may He guard them as well!

Shavuah Tov!! 

Knowing What A Good Thing We Have (Shavuot 5773)

Shavuot, as we are told, is the day on which we received the Torah.  Simchat Torah, which comes four months later, is the time we celebrate receiving the Torah.  Why such a long gap in between??

There was once a King who decided it was time to marry off his daughter, the Princess.  The one condition - whoever was to marry her could not see her until the chupah (the wedding canopy).  Naturally, no Prince around was running to accept this intimidating offer.

Eventually, a Prince from a nearby town stepped up to the plate and agreed to the terms thinking "how bad could it be?".  As the wedding drew nearer, the Prince began to realize just how bad it could be and started getting nervous.  "What if she's ugly?  What if she's mean?  What if her breath smells?  How do I know if she can cook?" he wondered (along with many other concerns).

Finally, the day had arrived.  As the Prince stood at the chupah watching the Princess approach him, he could feel the sweat pouring down his head.  When she reached him, he worriedly looked through her veil - she wasn't ugly!!  Slightly relieved, he still worried about his other concerns...

After the chupah, they went to the customary "Yichud Room."  The began to speak and he noticed that the scent emanating from her mouth was not horific - two concerns down!!  As they spoke more, he realized that not only wasn't she mean - she was actually pretty nice!!

As the weeks passed after their wedding, the Princess greeted her Prince every morning with a home-cooked breakfast - and it was delicious.  She could cook!!  With each day, the Prince so that all of his concerns were being disproved.

With their 6-month anniversary approaching, the Prince went to his father-in-law and requested a second wedding celebration.  "A second celebration"  screamed the King, "do you know how much the first cost me, why on earth do you need a second?!?"

"Well, your heinous", replied the Prince.  "The condition you had set on my marriage to your daughter was that I could not meet her until the wedding.  As such, I really didn't know what I had gotten myself into and so I couldn't truly celebrate at our first wedding.  Now that 6 months have passed, I know what a wonderful woman I married and can actually celebrate having gotten her."

The King agreed and a second celebration was held that was ten times as big as the first!!

When the Jewish people accepted the Torah, they accepted it נעשה ונשמה.  While they were eager to accept Hashem's Torah, they didn't know what they had gotten themselves into and so they could not really celebrate it. Four months later, when they had experienced the glory that is the Torah, they were prepared to celebrate it!

Luckily for us, as we "accept" the Torah tomorrow, we do it  knowing fully what a treasure our ancestors received.  With this in mind, I invite each of you to accept it with simcha and to celebrate it with joy!!

Chag Shavuot Sameach!



*A Special thank you to Rebbetzin Nalini Ibragimov for sharing this story with me years ago*

What's Mine Is Yours (Parashat Behar-Behukotai)

"The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is Mine; for you are sojourners and residents with Me"

We have a policy in our Yeshiva that students are not allowed to have their cell phones out during the day.  Occasionally (ok - often), students violate this policy and their phones are taken away for varying amounts of time.  I pointed out the following irony to my students which they all agreed to and laughed at:

If I take away Jake's phone and tell him that I will give it back to him the next day, he will (literally) cry and beg me to give it back to him that day - insisting he cannot survive with out it.  Ironically, if I take away Jake's friend's phone and say that I will give it back to him the next day, when Jake's friend begins to beg and cry - Jake will have the clarity of mind to tell his friend to "relax, it's no big deal - you'll get it back tomorrow."

Why is it that Jake has clarity of mind with his friend's phone but not with his own?  The answer is that when something is not ours, we don't have an emotional attachment to it - this enables us to not get upset as easily.

In the above mentioned pasuk, Hashem gives us a very strong lesson.  Regarding our fields he tells us that we cannot sell them for eternity (only for the duration of a jubilee) because the land is His - we are simply visitors or guests.

WOW!!

If we could go through life with true understanding of this pasuk, then - like Jake - we would never get upset!!  If we truly appreciated the fact that our possessions - homes, cars, money - are not actually ours but merely on loan to us from Hashem, we wouldn't feel that they are being "taken" from us when they are lost.  In reaching this level of understanding, we would achieve true happiness.

May we all be zoche to understand and appreciate that everything belongs to Hashem and we are simply his guests.  In doing so, may we lead more happy, spiritual lives and merit to see the coming of Mashiach speedily in our days.

Shabbat Shalom!

What It Means To Be A "Mentsch" (Parashat Emor)

"When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not remove completely the corners of your field as you reap and you shall not gather the gleanings of your harvest; for the poor and the proselyte shall you leave them; I am Hashem, your G-d"

This week's parasha starts out discussing halachot of Kohanim.  It then quickly goes on to discuss sacrifices before eventually coming to talk about Three Festivals.  Crammed in the midst of all of this is the above quoted commandment to leave the corners of your field for the poor to eat.  At first glance, the juxtaposition of this commandment seems out of place.  After all, what does harvesting your field have to do with Kohanim, sacrifices and Festivals?

The answer: EVERYTHING!

The three topics covered in Emor - Kohanim, sacrifice and Festivals all share a common denomenator:  Holiness.  In fact, if you look deeper into the parasha, you will notice that it discusses how to regain a level of holiness if lost due to certain circumstances (i.e. - the daughter of a Kohain divorces and returns home).

Finally, as the parasha culminates with the mentioning of Shavuot we are given an additional commandment - that of leaving our field for the poor.  The Torah is giving us a profound message here - if you want to be holy, treat your brothers with love and compassion!  The fact that this commandment is mentioned among Kohanim, sacrifices and Festivals is not a mistake.  The contrary!!  It is a clear statement that one who cares for his brother is just as holy as the Kohain, the one who brings a sacrifice or the one who observes the Festivals.

I had the unfortunate privilege this week of paying a shiva call to the Ben-Zvi family.  While there, Dr. Ben-Zvi's daughter was describing a man of utmost love and compassion.  A man who's life was dedicated to helping others in any and every way he possibly could.  When I looked over this week's parasha, one particular story she told stood out:

She mentioned that while going through some of his things, the family found checks from patient's insurance companies for 11 cents and stated that, despite the obvious underpayment of these companies - Dr. Ben-Zvi still treated these patients because it wasn't about the money - it was about the person.

When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not remove completely the corners of your field.....for the poor and the proselyte shall you leave them.

Dr. Ben-Zvi seems to have emulated this pasuk completely!  He understood that just as important as the Kohanim and the Festivals are the poor and underprivileged.  Indeed, in understanding this, he attained a level of holiness.

Shabbat Shalom!

To Be Or Not To Be (Parashat Acharei Mot - Kedoshim)

I have always had major difficulty with the second pasuk in Parashat Kedoshim.  Hashem instructs Moshe to "Speak to the entire assembly of the Children of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for holy am I, Hashem, your G-d."  The specific phrasing of "speak to the entire assembly" is an indication to us that this particular commandment is one of great importance.  My issue, however, is that despite this commandment to be holy (which implies greatness within us) - Hashem then spends the rest of the parasha  listing commandments that should be obvious or natural to a "holy" nation such as ourselves.

We are told to revere our mother and father, not to steal, not to lie, not to gossip, etc.  Shouldn't all of this come naturally to us if we are so holy?  The answer, is no!

I must be honest, my question on this week's parasha is not entirely mine.  It is a question that is often presented to me by students ( I do, however, have the question myself this week).  They - very understandably - want to know why, if we are such a great nation, Hashem feels the need to tell us not to do certain things.  My answer to them is the answer to this week's parasha as well...

While we think it should come naturally to keep all of these commandments, the reality is that human nature is not to keep them!  Hashem created us with the potential to be holy, but He also created us as humans!!  That being the case, was is natural for us is to do what is best for us - not what is best.

For this reason, Hashem instructs Moshe this week to "speak to the entire assembly of the Children of Israel" - in other words, make sure everyone hears it - and to tell us that we must overcome our inclinations and be holy - because He, our G-d, is holy.

Shabbat Shalom!

Removing the Bad (Parashat Tazria-Metzora)

Six years ago on the morning of Shabbat Tazria-Metzora my wife and I were blessed with the birth of our oldest child.  This week's D'var Torah is in her honor.


In the beginning of this week's parasha we are commanded to circumcise every male when he reaches eight days old.  Medically speaking, the foreskin serves no beneficial purpose whatsoever.  In actuality, leaving the foreskin on can make a child more susceptible to infection.  With that said, I am left with two questions:
1 - If the foreskin is unnecessary (potentially detrimental) and Hashem was going to command us to cut it off, why not save everyone the headache (and cost of making a bris) by simply not creating us with it?
2 - Why the juxtaposition of Bris Milah in the midst of two parashiot that deal with purity and impurity?

As those who know me can confirm, I have a temper.  When I asked my students this morning if the appropriate response to my temper would be to live with it or overcome it, they chose the latter.  I then challenged them with the following argument "if Hashem created me with this temper, He obviously wants me to have it - why do I need to overcome it?" - they could not answer.

The answer to my question, is the answer to the parasha!  Hashem created us with a physical imperfection, a flaw - the foreskin.  He then commanded us to cut it off.  The reason He did this rather than simply not creating it was to teach us a lesson that just as He created us with physical flaws that we need to remove, so too He created us with character flaws that we need to remove - one should not simply claim "if this is how Hashem created me, it must be how He wants me to be."

Regarding the juxtaposition of Bris Milah in Tazria-Metzora, the answer is very similar.  At first, I couldn't understand why Hashem would place such a holy commandment among discussion of such impurity - until I started thinking about the purity!  Hashem teaches us in these parashiot that if a person sees a blemish on himself, he should not simply ignore it - rather, he should go to the Kohen and ask how to overcome it.  The same is true again for our flaws!

May Hashem bless us all with the siyata d'shemaya to recognize our flaws and the strength to overcome them.  In doing so, may we see the rebuilding of the Beit HaMikdash speedily in our days.

Shabbat Shalom!

Seeing the Good in the Bad (Parashat Shemini)

This weeks parasha starts out with a very strange schedule of events...

In the beginning of the parasha, Moshe instructs Aharon and B'nei Yisrael to bring an offering to Hashem - "for today Hashem appears to you."  The parasha then proceeds to list everything that Aharon does step-by-step inserting some variation of the phrase "as Hashem commanded him" several times along the way.

Finally, after completing the offering, Moshe and Aharon go to the entrance of the Ohel Moed, bless the people, and the glory of Hashem appeared to them.  "A fire went forth from before Hashem and consumed upon the Altar the burnt-offering and the fats; the people saw and sang glad song and fell upon their faces."

This was an extremely spiritual high-point for all of Klal Yisrael and everyone was immersed in celebration.  Suddenly, however, the mood changed...

In the midst of all the joy, two of Aharon's sons - Nadav and Avihu - each take a fire pan, put in them fire and incense, and bring before Hashem an "alien fire."  It is called this because, as the pasuk goes on to explain - Hashem had not commanded them to bring it.  In response, Hashem sends forth a fire which consumes them and they die.

Aharon, who is presumably devastated by the events, is given the following words of consolation from Moshe:

"Of this did Hashem speak, saying 'I will be sanctified through those who are nearest Me, thus I will be honored before the entire people'."

After hearing this, Aharon becomes silent.

Two questions stand out to me regarding all of this:
1- What did Nadav and Avihu do that was so bad?
2- Why was this pasuk consolation for Aharon?

The answer to the first question is a shorter one.  Though their intentions were just, Nadav and Avihu decided to take matters into their own hands and perform avodah that had not been commanded to them - that was wrong!  From here we can learn that, even if we mean well, it isn't our place create forms of serving Hashem that He did not give us.

The answer to the second question can be explained with the following story regarding a friend of mine who is a Rebbe in a Yeshiva and has been known to lovingly bully his students over the years:

A staff member was walking through the halls when he overheard a student crying in one of the classrooms.  He approached the student and asked why he was crying.  The student replied "Rabbi Ploni"
"Oh" chuckled the staff member.  "Let me guess, Rabbi Ploni beat you up (not literally)? 
"No", replied the student.  
"Did he make fun of you?"  
"No!"  
"Did he yell at you?"
"No!"
"I don't understand" said the staff member, "he didn't hit you, he didn't make fun of you, he didn't yell at you - what did he do that made you cry?"
"That's just it" replied the student.  "He didn't do any of that to me - he hates me!!"

You see, this student had observed that Rabbi Ploni  "picked on" the students whom he had a bond with.  When the Rabbi Ploni didn't pick on him, he assumed he lacked that bond and was terribly jealous.

This was Moshe's consolation to Aharon!!

He explained that Hashem had told him he would use those who were dearest to him as an example for Klal Yisrael.  Moshe told Aharon "don't be upset that Hashem punished your sons and took them - be proud!!".  Nadav and Avihu died as a tremendous Kiddush Hashem and upon hearing this explanation from Moshe, Aharon was no longer upset and fell silent.

May we all be zoche to receive punishements from Hashem - as receiving those punishments means He holds us dear to Him and may we all have the siyata d'shemaya to take a deeper look into our lives and - if we realize we are lacking punishments - let us strive to get closer to Hashem so that he will give them to us!!

Shabbat Shalom!

Giving Up The Glory (Parashat VaYikra)

If one were to take a closer look at the first word in this week's parasha, they would notice that the letter "aleph" at the end of the word VaYikra is written smaller than the rest of the letters.  This is the case in every Sefer Torah that has ever been written.

The mefarshim explain that, when Moshe was writing the word for the first time, he didn't want to write the aleph at all.  Moshe preferred that the pasuk read VaYikar Moshe - and he chanced upon Moshe.  His reasoning was that the lashon of "He called Moshe" indicates that Moshe was special - and Moshe wanted to avoid that.  Regardless, Hashem insisted that Moshe write the alpeh - but Moshe wrote it in a smaller font so as to indicate that he wasn't really worthy of the great honor being bestowed upon him.

There is an extremely profound lesson that Moshe is teaching us in this word.  So often we want to receive credit for the things that we do - we crave attention.  As an educator, I sometimes see students even doing bad things in order to get attention because they feel they aren't capable of getting positive attention and negative attention is better than no attention.  However, Moshe is showing us that we don't need the attention we are craving - life isn't about being in the spotlight.

Imagine if we didn't feel this need to be important.  We would never get angry because we felt that we weren't recognized for something we did.  That was how Moshe was - and it's who we should be!

My father, a"h was zoche in mastering this trait of humility.  In reality, he had plenty to brag about – he had worked his way from a tenement apartment on the Lower East Side to a superior education from Stuyvesant, NYU and Adelphi and had managed to build himself a loving family who did, and always will, adore him.  My father had ample reason to feel chashuv but, like Moshe, he preferred to keep it simple.

May we all be zoche to live a life of humility - may we desire only to be chanced upon and not need to be called.  In this z'chut, may we see the coming of Mashiach speedily in our days.  Amen.

Shabbat Shalom!

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall...(Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei)

"He made the Kiyyur (wash-basin for the Kohanim) and its pedestal of copper, with the mirrors of the women who congregated at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting"

Rashi comments on the above pasuk that the mirrors mentioned are those that the Jewish women would use when beautifying themselves.  He states that, initially, Moshe rejected the mirrors because he felt it was inappropriate to use an item meant for such purposes in as holy a place as the Mishkan.  Nonetheless, Hashem instructed Moshe to accept the mirrors saying they were "dearest to Him of all."  But why were they so dear to Him and, if they were, why specifically use them for this basin?

The midrash explains that one reason the Egyptians enslaved the Jewish men with such difficult labor was in an attempt to prevent them from procreating.  They had hoped that when the men got home they would be too exhausted to lay with their wives, thereby resulting in the ultimate extermination of the Jewish people.

The women, however, realized this and so - as Rashi explains - they would go out to the fields where the men were working and feed and wash their husbands.  They would then take out these copper mirrors and use them to entice their husbands by standing next to them and looking in the mirror saying "I am handsomer than you."  The men would become aroused and cohabit with their wives in that very place.  In essence, these mirrors helped save Klal Yisrael from extermination - that is why the are so dear to Hashem.

Rashi goes on to explain that the Kiyyur would also be used to provide the water that a woman accused of adultery by her husband (Sotah) would drink.  The reason it was made from these mirrors because the basin is meant to provide reassurance to the husband that his wife did not cheat on him - thereby resulting in a reaffirmed shalom bayit.

I must admit, Rashi's explanation of why the mirrors were used in the Kiyyur did not sit well with me.  Initially, I did not see the connection between the use of the mirrors in Egypt and the message they are supposed to carry in the Mishkan.  After giving it some thought, I came up with the following explanation:

When I teach Sotah to my students, I explain that - usually - a marriage that is "happy" doesn't result in an affair.  Rather, when a couple loses their flame is when one begins looking into other options.  That said, the Kiyyur is meant as a sign on how to not reach the point of adultery.  It is made with the mirrors to remind us of how they were used - in enticement and flirtation between the husband and wife.  The Kiyyur is telling us that as busy and exhausted as we may become, it is necessary to take the time to enjoy our spouses and their company or - Heaven Forbid - we may find ourselves needing to use its water for negative purposes instead.

Shabbat Shalom!

Follow the Leader (Parashat Ki Tisa)

"The people saw that Moshe delayed in descending the mountain, and the people gathered around Aaron and said to him, 'Rise up, make for us G-ds who will go before us, for this Moshe, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt - we do not know what became of him!'"

There are several troubling questions regarding the incident of the Golden Calf - many of which stem from the above pasuk.  One question, after all that B'nei Yisrael had witnessed from the time that Hashem lef them out of Egypt to this point - how could they turn their backs on Him and worship an idol??  The second question, what does Moshe's delay in descending the mountain have to do with their desire to worship said idol?  The answer to both questions is the same!

If we take a closer look at the pasuk, we see that there is no mention of Hashem in it - the people saw that Moshe delayed so they asked Aaron to make G-ds to represent them because Moshe seemed to have disappeared.  The pasuk didn't say that Hashem abandoned them, it said that Moshe abandoned them!

"Make G-ds who will go before us, for this Moshe...we do not know what became of him."  B'nei Yisrael wasn't looking for a G-d to "create" them - they were looking for a G-d to lead them - the way Moshe had been doing!

The commentaries explain that B'nei Yisrael didn't feel that they were capable of serving Hashem on their own - they needed a "go-between" to represent them.  That go-between was Moshe.  When they miscalculated his return and thought that Moshe had left them (the Satan presented them with an image of Moshe in heaven), they thought they had lost that go-between and would no longer be able to serve Hashem properly.  Therefore, they asked Aaron to make them "G-ds who would go before them" - who would represent them.

It's often hard for us to fathom the idea that we - as individuals - are capable of having our own relationship with Hashem.  Indeed, we don't need a go-between, we can speak to Him directly - and he will answer us!! B'nei Yisrael, too, could not fathom this relationship - that is why they panicked when Moshe didn't return and asked Aaron to build a G-d that would lead them.  You see, B'nei Yisrael wasn't turning their backs on Hashem.  The opposite, they wanted to serve Him!!  They just didn't think they could do it alone!!

May we all recognize the personal relationship we are fortunate to have with our creator and in doing so, may we come to serve Him properly!

Shabbat Shalom!

An Eternal Flame (Parashat Tetzaveh)

"And you shall command the Children of Israel that they shall take for you pure olive oil, pressed for illumination, to kindle a lamp continually."

In the beginning of this week's parasha, we are given the commanment of the Ner Tamid - the menorah which would burn in the Temple.  This menorah was to be lit by the Kohen Gadol and was of tremendous importance.  Indeed, even today shuls maintain some form of a Ner Tamid.  Most have a symbolic light hanging near the Aron Kodesh and some have the minhag to light candles by the amud whenever it is time for tefilla.

The Baal Haturim points out a very interesting vort on the first pasuk which Rav Shmuel Kaminetzky expounds upon.  He says that if you look at the word תצוה - you shall command, the letter ת has a numerical value of 400 similar to the word נשים  - women. This, he says, is an allusion to a woman's obligation to light candles for Shabbat. 

Rav Shmuel Kaminetzky adds that from here we can see that the importance of women lighting candles for Shabbat is just as important - just as holy - as the Kohen Gadol lighting the Menorah.  Wow!!  When a woman lights Shabbat candles, she transforms her home into a mini Bet HaMikdash.

Often I am challenged by my female students with arguments or complaints that (in their opinion) the Torah seems to favor men.  From this pasuk we can see that is most certainly not the case!!  Clearly, women are held in very high regard by the Torah.  Though the roles of men and women are different, they are equally important.

Rabbi David Cohen emphasizes that the time of candle lighting is an ideal time for a woman to pray for her family and herself.  He jokes that if a woman's candles are still burning after she finishes praying, she didn't pray hard enough.  If she had prayed hard enough - the tears she cried would have put out the candles.

With these thoughts in mind, may the women of Klal Yisrael fulfill their roles in Torah, may they light the candles for Shabbat with kavana and tefilla - knowing that they are doing comparable work to that of the Kohen Gadol.  And in this z'chut, may Hashem rebuild the Bet HaMikdash speedily in our days!

Shabbat Shalom!

What's Your Motivation? (Parashat Terumah)

In this weeks parasha, Hashem instructs Moshe to speak to B'nei Yisrael and tell them to "take for me a portion."  With all due respect, this seems like a bit of a strange phrasing.  Wouldn't it have made more sense for Hashem to simply said "and you shall give charity"?

Rashi explains that the reason the pasuk says "take for me" is to teach us that our motivation for giving should be to sanctify Hashem's name - not to glorify our own!  From this small detail we learn a HUGE lesson regarding our motivations in life.

Hashem is teaching us that when we do something, our motivation for doing so shouldn't be in order to brag about it later or make ourselves look good.  Our motivation for doing so should simply be because it's the right thing to do.  Indeed, we are taught that the highest form of charity one can give is when they give it secretly - with nobody else knowing.

As an active member of Hatzalah, I've always greatly admired members of Chaverim.  In Hatzalah we do truly amazing things - we literally save lives (with Hashem's help of course), but there are perks to the job as well: be it the parking permit, the lights and sirens or the admiration that members get from the community.  Chaverim is different.  They get no special parking, no sirens and little admiration.  There is little or no "great honor" in being able to say that you are a member of Chaverim.  And yet, despite this fact members of Chaverim will leave their jobs, families and simchas to run out and help a person change a tire.  There motivation: simply to do an act of chessed.

"Take for me a portion" - not because you want to brag or benefit from it but because you want to praise MY name.  That is the message Hashem is giving us!  May we all have this concept in mind when doing mitzvot in the future and may we truly find the motivation to do things for Hashem - as that is why we should be doing them.

Shabbat Shalom!

Overcoming Our Desires (Parashat Mishpatim)

"And these are the judgments that you shall place before them."

Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Pshischa explains the words "that you shall place before them" to mean that we must put these laws before ourselves.  In other words, our human nature will be to do exactly what these laws are telling us not to -  we must overcome our nature and follow the laws.

Among these judgments is not to bear a meritless report.  Rashi explains this to mean that one should not accept a false report or malicious talk - gossip.  I often comment to my students that of all 613 mitzvot, I find that of Lashon Hara to be the most difficult.  Apparently, I have good reason for feeling that way!  This week's parasha, in accordance with Rav Simcha's interpretation, is teaching us that it is our human nature to speak about or listen to speech about others.  We must overcome this nature if we are to be the righteous people that Hashem wants us to be.

This past Wednesday marked my father's first yahrtzeit.  At his hascara I mentioned the above concept and spoke about how (in retrospect) good my father was at it.  Despite the Torah's telling us how it is human nature to want to hear gossip, it was my father's nature to not want to - it simply didn't interest him.

May Hashem give each of us the strength and ability to put His ways before ours and enable us to fulfill our role as the Chosen Nation.

Shabbat Shalom!

The Rules of Life (Parashat Yitro)

In this week's parasha, Hashem instructs Moshe to tell B'nei Yisrael to prepare themselves over a three-day period.  At the end of those three days, Hashem is going to give them the Torah.  Moshe obeyed and B'nei Yisrael began their preparations - among them was to wash their clothing and abstain from relations.

At the end of the three day period, all of B'nei Yisrael stood at the foot of Har Sinai - this in itself is truly an awe-inspiring image!  One can only dream about what it must have been like to stand with an entire people waiting to hear from the Creator of the Universe!!  Hashem then addressed His nation....

First, Hashem recited all Ten Commandments simultaneously.  The Mefarshim explain that He did this because it is something that no man could possibly do.  This way, nobody could argue that the Commandments were recited by a person claiming to be G-d.

Hashem then went on to repeat each of the Commandments individually.  In addition, each one was said in the singular tense.  This was done so that every member of B'nei Yisrael could hear and understand them.  The reason for the singular tense was so that every person should understand that he too is commanded to follow them and not think it is sufficient for the nation as a whole to obey them.

Among the commandments is to Honor Your Father and Your Mother - but why was it necessary to give us such a commandment?  Shouldn't it come naturally for us to honor the very individuals who brought us into this world??  The answer is no.

The very fact that our parents brought us into this world and raised us seems to give us a sense of comfort.  As such, it doesn't come naturally for us to honor them - rather, we need to be reminded or "commanded" to.  Indeed, the extent to which we are supposed to honor our parents goes to great lengths.  Chazal teach us that we should honor our parents in the same way that we honor Hashem.

May we all be successful in honoring our parents properly and in doing so may we merit the long life that Hashem promises us that goes along with it.  This Wednesday is the first yahrtzeit for my father, a"h.  I can only hope that I was successful in honoring him to the extent that I should have.  Not because I'm commanded to, but because he deserved it!

Shabbat Shalom!