This week's parasha begins with a bit of a conflict that I found very troubling. In the very first pasuk we are told that Hashem led B'nei Yisrael through the wilderness rather than Eretz Pilishtim because "Perhaps the people will reconsider when they see a war, and they will return to Egypt." However, only 5-6 sentences later Hashem tells Moshe that He is going to send Pharaoh after B'nei Yisrael. This seems very odd! Why would Hashem send them through the wilderness to avoid them seeing a war if He was then going to place them in a war anyway??
Often we see or hear of others going through difficult situations and think to ourselves "I would never be able to handle that." Even before we are faced with the situation we already make up our minds that we are going to fail. In reality, however, we do not know whether or not we are capable of handling any situation until we are actually facing it. Furthermore, we are taught that Hashem does not place us in any situation that we are not capable of handling.
That is the reason Hashem chose to lead us through the wilderness rather than Eretz Pilishtim!
Had we traveled though Eretz Pilishtim, Hashem feared we might have seen someone else at war and thought "I would never be able to handle that"at which point we would have wanted to return to Egypt. The war that He placed us in while in the wilderness - though it still caused some to want to return to Egypt - we were able to overcome.
As my father's yahrtzeit approaches, I find myself noticing more and more traits and strengths of his that I (regrettably) hadn't noticed before. The trait of bitochon (trust in Hashem) that the above conflict teaches us was one such trait. No matter the situation, I never recall my father panicking. He always approached things with a sense of "things will work out."
May we all strengthen our bitochon and, in doing so, develop the ability to handle any situation we are placed in. After all, if Hashem put us there - we can over come it!
Shabbat Shalom!
Friday, January 25, 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
Finding Happiness in Exhaustion (Parashat Bo)
As I had expressed previously, I am often asked by my students to provide them with some sort of "proof" that Hashem exists. "Let Him create a miracle for us to see" they insist...
If one were to examine all of the Pesach holiday, many of the things we do seem "outdated" and almost pointless. A long meal is held on the first night (and second in the Diaspora) during which we read a story that seems to never end. We are then instructed to eat specific foods and make sandwiches out of "crackers and lettuce." Some spend months preparing for this holiday - purchasing food, cleaning our house so that we don't have even a trace of chametz, etc.
During my time working for NCSY, I remember once being asked by a teenager why it was all necessary. "On the day of Pesach, why cant we just announce to our children that 'today Hashem saved us', and then go on with our lives" he asked. Indeed, a valid question!
The answer to this NCSYer goes hand-in-hand with the answer to my students.
In Parashat Bo, Pharoah finally agrees to set B'nei Yisrael free. Before this happens, however, Hashem casts one final plague on Egypt - that of the First Born. In preparation for the plague, Hashem instructs Moshe to tell B'nei Yisrael to kill a lamb, smear its blood on their doorposts (to identify them as Jewish homes), roast the lamb and eat it. Amid all of this (and more) He says "this day shall be for you a remembrance and you shall celebrate it as a festival for Hashem; for your generations, you shall celebrate it as an eternal statute.".
The answer to the NCSYer IS the answer to my students. The reason Hashem instructs us to do all these seemingly unnecessary things on Pesach is because in this weeks Parasha he tells us that Pesach is going to be our "proof" for all future generations. That is why simply stating to our children that "today Hashem saved us" isn't sufficient. They need to live and breath the story. Indeed, some communities even have the custom of loading up their shoulders and "leaving their homes."
If one doubts the existence of Hashem, let him recall the great miracles that were performed for us in Egypt and be assured that He does exist! Hashem is telling us that miracles do not need to be performed again in the future (though they are on a regular basis), the ones which were performed in Egypt should be great enough to satisfy our questions.
This Pesach, instead of moaning over how long the seder is taking, may we all truly appreciate the miracle of Pesach as it is meant to be appreciated and reaffirm our belief in Hashem. When the prep-work for Pesach seems never ending, let us rejoice in the fact that it is our home we are cleaning - and not that of the Egyptians!
Shabbat Shalom!
If one were to examine all of the Pesach holiday, many of the things we do seem "outdated" and almost pointless. A long meal is held on the first night (and second in the Diaspora) during which we read a story that seems to never end. We are then instructed to eat specific foods and make sandwiches out of "crackers and lettuce." Some spend months preparing for this holiday - purchasing food, cleaning our house so that we don't have even a trace of chametz, etc.
During my time working for NCSY, I remember once being asked by a teenager why it was all necessary. "On the day of Pesach, why cant we just announce to our children that 'today Hashem saved us', and then go on with our lives" he asked. Indeed, a valid question!
The answer to this NCSYer goes hand-in-hand with the answer to my students.
In Parashat Bo, Pharoah finally agrees to set B'nei Yisrael free. Before this happens, however, Hashem casts one final plague on Egypt - that of the First Born. In preparation for the plague, Hashem instructs Moshe to tell B'nei Yisrael to kill a lamb, smear its blood on their doorposts (to identify them as Jewish homes), roast the lamb and eat it. Amid all of this (and more) He says "this day shall be for you a remembrance and you shall celebrate it as a festival for Hashem; for your generations, you shall celebrate it as an eternal statute.".
The answer to the NCSYer IS the answer to my students. The reason Hashem instructs us to do all these seemingly unnecessary things on Pesach is because in this weeks Parasha he tells us that Pesach is going to be our "proof" for all future generations. That is why simply stating to our children that "today Hashem saved us" isn't sufficient. They need to live and breath the story. Indeed, some communities even have the custom of loading up their shoulders and "leaving their homes."
If one doubts the existence of Hashem, let him recall the great miracles that were performed for us in Egypt and be assured that He does exist! Hashem is telling us that miracles do not need to be performed again in the future (though they are on a regular basis), the ones which were performed in Egypt should be great enough to satisfy our questions.
This Pesach, instead of moaning over how long the seder is taking, may we all truly appreciate the miracle of Pesach as it is meant to be appreciated and reaffirm our belief in Hashem. When the prep-work for Pesach seems never ending, let us rejoice in the fact that it is our home we are cleaning - and not that of the Egyptians!
Shabbat Shalom!
Friday, January 11, 2013
Patience Is A Virtue (Parashat VaEira)
"Hashem spoke to Moshe and Aaron and commanded them regarding B'nei Yisrael and regarding Pharaoh, King of Egypt, to take B'nei Yisrael out of the land of Egypt."
The double reference to B'nei Yisrael in this pasuk seems a bit redundant. It is explained that the second reference regarding taking B'nei Yisrael out of Egypt was a command that Moshe and Aaron should give to Pharaoh. If that is the case, what was the first reference regarding?
Rashi explains that the first mention of B'nei Yisrael was a command to Moshe and Aaron to "lead them calmly and to be patient with them."
There is a midrash that teaches that one day, while Moshe was tending to Yisro's flock, a sheep ran away. Moshe followed the sheep until it reached a pond and stopped to drink. Moshe said to the sheep "I didn't know you ran all this was because you were thirsty; you must be tired." He then lifted the sheep on his shoulders and carried it back to the flock.
If Moshe was so considerate to a sheep, why did Hashem feel the need to instruct him to be patient with a people?
When my father a"h was alive, any time I would get frustrated about something he would simply say "סבלנות" (patience).
The reason Hashem needed to command Moshe and Aaron to be patient - despite Moshe's incident with the sheep - is because human nature is that when we are dealing with other people we tend to be impatient. We want others to be like us - to understand things simply because we understand them.
Moshe was considerate of the sheep because he understood that it was merely a sheep - he couldn't expect it to be like he was. However, when dealing with people, perhaps he could have that expectation of them. For this reason, Hashem needed to remind him (and Aaron) - "they are not like you, be patient with them."
Perhaps it was because he was a Social Worker and therefore he (unlike most) was able to understand that each person is different, but my father seemed to grasp this concept and always addressed others with patience.
Let us all take the lesson that Hashem gave to Moshe and Aaron and be patient others. In doing so, we will all be a friendlier nation.
Shabbat Shalom!
The double reference to B'nei Yisrael in this pasuk seems a bit redundant. It is explained that the second reference regarding taking B'nei Yisrael out of Egypt was a command that Moshe and Aaron should give to Pharaoh. If that is the case, what was the first reference regarding?
Rashi explains that the first mention of B'nei Yisrael was a command to Moshe and Aaron to "lead them calmly and to be patient with them."
There is a midrash that teaches that one day, while Moshe was tending to Yisro's flock, a sheep ran away. Moshe followed the sheep until it reached a pond and stopped to drink. Moshe said to the sheep "I didn't know you ran all this was because you were thirsty; you must be tired." He then lifted the sheep on his shoulders and carried it back to the flock.
If Moshe was so considerate to a sheep, why did Hashem feel the need to instruct him to be patient with a people?
When my father a"h was alive, any time I would get frustrated about something he would simply say "סבלנות" (patience).
The reason Hashem needed to command Moshe and Aaron to be patient - despite Moshe's incident with the sheep - is because human nature is that when we are dealing with other people we tend to be impatient. We want others to be like us - to understand things simply because we understand them.
Moshe was considerate of the sheep because he understood that it was merely a sheep - he couldn't expect it to be like he was. However, when dealing with people, perhaps he could have that expectation of them. For this reason, Hashem needed to remind him (and Aaron) - "they are not like you, be patient with them."
Perhaps it was because he was a Social Worker and therefore he (unlike most) was able to understand that each person is different, but my father seemed to grasp this concept and always addressed others with patience.
Let us all take the lesson that Hashem gave to Moshe and Aaron and be patient others. In doing so, we will all be a friendlier nation.
Shabbat Shalom!
Friday, January 4, 2013
Never Give Up (Parashat Shemot)
In this week's parasha, Yocheved - being unable to hide Moshe any longer - places him in a basket and sends him off in the river. Miriam then watched the basket from a distance to see what happened...
Something here doesn't make sense!
In the parsha, Miriam abandons Moshe in a river and yet she is proclaimed a hero in Torah for doing so. However, when Hagar left Yishmael to die in the desert, she did not receive the same honor. Why??
Rav Yisrael Spira was in Lemberg during the Holocaust. He managed to get a passport for him, his wife and a young child. Sadly, by the time he received the passports his wife and grandson had both died. Word soon got out that he had a "vacancy" in his passport and slews of children were brought to him for savior. Ultimately, Mr. Perlberger from Auschwitz came with his son. As he parted, he kissed his son and said "Shraga, from this moment on - the Jew next to you is your father."
Throughout the war, Mr. Perlberger never lost trach of his child. At the end, he had survived but was very sick. Immediately, he began searching for his son. He heard the boy was in Belgium and went there. When he arrived, he was told the boy had moved to Israel. Despite the British blockade, this sick man snuck into Israel. When he arrived, he saw his son only once and then died.
It is said that he died with a "tranquil smile" on his lips...
The difference between Hagar and Miriam is that Hagar sat herself a distance away from Yishmael and didn't look back - she couldn't bare to watch the boy die. Miriam, on the other hand, never stopped watching Moshe. She knew that Hashem would keep him alive.
Too often in life we get dirstraught over the way things are going and we fear they may night work out - we get tempted to "distance" ourselves the way Hagar did. We must have the emunah of Miriam and believe that things will work out for the best!
I remember when my father, a"h was first diagnosed with cancer. Despite everything, he never seemed to show the slightest bit of concern or worry - he knew that Hashem would protect and watch over him - just as He did. Though, ultimately, my father did not survive - he never lost his faith in Hashem through it all....
Something here doesn't make sense!
In the parsha, Miriam abandons Moshe in a river and yet she is proclaimed a hero in Torah for doing so. However, when Hagar left Yishmael to die in the desert, she did not receive the same honor. Why??
Rav Yisrael Spira was in Lemberg during the Holocaust. He managed to get a passport for him, his wife and a young child. Sadly, by the time he received the passports his wife and grandson had both died. Word soon got out that he had a "vacancy" in his passport and slews of children were brought to him for savior. Ultimately, Mr. Perlberger from Auschwitz came with his son. As he parted, he kissed his son and said "Shraga, from this moment on - the Jew next to you is your father."
Throughout the war, Mr. Perlberger never lost trach of his child. At the end, he had survived but was very sick. Immediately, he began searching for his son. He heard the boy was in Belgium and went there. When he arrived, he was told the boy had moved to Israel. Despite the British blockade, this sick man snuck into Israel. When he arrived, he saw his son only once and then died.
It is said that he died with a "tranquil smile" on his lips...
The difference between Hagar and Miriam is that Hagar sat herself a distance away from Yishmael and didn't look back - she couldn't bare to watch the boy die. Miriam, on the other hand, never stopped watching Moshe. She knew that Hashem would keep him alive.
Too often in life we get dirstraught over the way things are going and we fear they may night work out - we get tempted to "distance" ourselves the way Hagar did. We must have the emunah of Miriam and believe that things will work out for the best!
I remember when my father, a"h was first diagnosed with cancer. Despite everything, he never seemed to show the slightest bit of concern or worry - he knew that Hashem would protect and watch over him - just as He did. Though, ultimately, my father did not survive - he never lost his faith in Hashem through it all....
Monday marks the 22nd anniversary of the petira of my grandfather - Avraham Tuvia ben Naftali. Tuesday marks 11 months since my father's petira.
May the learning from this D'var Torah be an Aliyah to both of their neshamot!!
Friday, December 28, 2012
True Happiness (Parashat VaYechi)
"Whisper it in my ear so I can hear it." These are the instructions that my children give me every Friday night when I bless them.
When it is time to bless my sons I utter the words "May G-d make you like Ephraim and like Menasheh." This blessing, however, has a slight fault to it. Yaakov himself feared the reprocutions of "stealing" the blessing of his older brother Aisav. Why then would he take away Menasheh's blessing and give it to Ephraim (Menasheh was the older brother of the two)? Furthermore, why would Yaakov decree that this "stolen blessing" should be recited by an entire nation on a weekly basis?
The answer to the first questions is fairly simple. Yaakov switched the order of Ephraim and Menasheh because he understood that one son would be greater than the other. This is similar to Rivkah - his mother - allowing him to take Aisav's blessing. Rather than "learning from his mistake" in taking Aisav's blessing, Yaakov learned from the success. Perhaps if Yaakov hadn't been allowed by his mother to take the blessing, he would think it was inappropriate to bless Ephraim first - even though he knew Ephraim was meant to be greater. The fact that Rivka not only allowed but instructed him to take Aisav's blessing taught Yaakov that sometimes age is not a "right" - sometimes we have to look deeper into a situation.
The answer to the second question is much more profound. While we may now understand why it was ok for Yaakov to bless Ephraim first, that still doesn't explain why he would decree that all fathers would do this for the rest of eternity!!
Let us - once again - reflect back on the incident between Yaakov and Aisav. When Yaakov took Aisav's blessing, Aisav became furious! At the same time, Yaakov was hesitant and unsure about taking the blessing. However, we don't see any of this by Ephraim and Menashe. Neither of them seems to care about the order in which they are receive their blessing. Ephraim is not arogant about the fact he is being blessed first and Menashe is not angry about the fact he is being blessed second. Both brothers are content with the blessing they are receiving.
THIS is the blessing that Yaakov decrees should be given throughout the nation. When he instructs a father to bless his son saying "Hashem should make you like Ephraim and Menashe", he doesn't mean in greatness. The blessing a father is giving to his son is that, like Ephraim and Menashe were, the son be content with whatever he receives in life and that he never desires more. Indeed, if one were to achieve this level of Ephraim and Menashe, they would achieve true happiness!
Shabbat Shalom!
When it is time to bless my sons I utter the words "May G-d make you like Ephraim and like Menasheh." This blessing, however, has a slight fault to it. Yaakov himself feared the reprocutions of "stealing" the blessing of his older brother Aisav. Why then would he take away Menasheh's blessing and give it to Ephraim (Menasheh was the older brother of the two)? Furthermore, why would Yaakov decree that this "stolen blessing" should be recited by an entire nation on a weekly basis?
The answer to the first questions is fairly simple. Yaakov switched the order of Ephraim and Menasheh because he understood that one son would be greater than the other. This is similar to Rivkah - his mother - allowing him to take Aisav's blessing. Rather than "learning from his mistake" in taking Aisav's blessing, Yaakov learned from the success. Perhaps if Yaakov hadn't been allowed by his mother to take the blessing, he would think it was inappropriate to bless Ephraim first - even though he knew Ephraim was meant to be greater. The fact that Rivka not only allowed but instructed him to take Aisav's blessing taught Yaakov that sometimes age is not a "right" - sometimes we have to look deeper into a situation.
The answer to the second question is much more profound. While we may now understand why it was ok for Yaakov to bless Ephraim first, that still doesn't explain why he would decree that all fathers would do this for the rest of eternity!!
Let us - once again - reflect back on the incident between Yaakov and Aisav. When Yaakov took Aisav's blessing, Aisav became furious! At the same time, Yaakov was hesitant and unsure about taking the blessing. However, we don't see any of this by Ephraim and Menashe. Neither of them seems to care about the order in which they are receive their blessing. Ephraim is not arogant about the fact he is being blessed first and Menashe is not angry about the fact he is being blessed second. Both brothers are content with the blessing they are receiving.
THIS is the blessing that Yaakov decrees should be given throughout the nation. When he instructs a father to bless his son saying "Hashem should make you like Ephraim and Menashe", he doesn't mean in greatness. The blessing a father is giving to his son is that, like Ephraim and Menashe were, the son be content with whatever he receives in life and that he never desires more. Indeed, if one were to achieve this level of Ephraim and Menashe, they would achieve true happiness!
Shabbat Shalom!
Friday, December 21, 2012
A Father's Love (Parashat Vayigash)
This week's parasha begins with Yehuda pleading with Yosef not to enslave Binyamin. Yehuda recounts for Yosef all of the events that led up to their present discussion: Yaakov sent his sons to seek out food from Egypt, upon meeting them Yosef inquired about their family and insisted they bring their younger brother back to him, when they returned to Yaakov with this message he refused to release Binyamin so Yehuda pled with his father and convinced him to send Binyamin. Yehuda's final statement to Yosef is "how can I return to my father if the youth is not with me?" Upon hearing all of this, Yosef orders everone but his brothers to leave his presence. He then lets out a cry, reveals his identity to his brothers and asks "is my father still alive?"
This seems a bit strange. Yehuda had just gotten through speaking about Yaakov and made a clear statement that indicated the fact that he was still alive - why did Yosef still need to ask??
I once heard Rabbi Label Lamm give the following explanation:
There was once a boy who came from a broken home. At a young age his father had left him and his mother. His mother, unable to raise him alone placed him in the care of his grandparents. Unfortunately, they too were unable to handle this rambunctious young child so they placed in him a Yeshiva. The child passed through Yeshiva rather quietly - always sitting in the back and not participating much.
One day, when the child was in 3rd grade his Rebbe presented the class with the famous question - why did Yosef need to ask if his father was still alive? Suddenly, this boy raised his hand.
Hesitantly, the Rebbe called on him and the boy gave the following profound answer : "maybe his wasn't asking if Yaakov was still physically alive, but if HIS father was still alive - the father that loved and cared about him, or was that man gone?"
WOW!!
Yosef knew that Yaakov was still living and breathing because Yehuda had just told him so. What he wanted to know what if HIS father was still alive. Did Yaakov remember him, did he ever ask or talk about him anymore or had he forgotten Yosef? Baruch Hashem, we know that not only was Yaakov still alive, but so was Yosef's father!
Wednesday marked 10 months since Yitzchak ben Nachum was niftar. However, I know that my father still lives on...
Shabbat Shalom!
This seems a bit strange. Yehuda had just gotten through speaking about Yaakov and made a clear statement that indicated the fact that he was still alive - why did Yosef still need to ask??
I once heard Rabbi Label Lamm give the following explanation:
There was once a boy who came from a broken home. At a young age his father had left him and his mother. His mother, unable to raise him alone placed him in the care of his grandparents. Unfortunately, they too were unable to handle this rambunctious young child so they placed in him a Yeshiva. The child passed through Yeshiva rather quietly - always sitting in the back and not participating much.
One day, when the child was in 3rd grade his Rebbe presented the class with the famous question - why did Yosef need to ask if his father was still alive? Suddenly, this boy raised his hand.
Hesitantly, the Rebbe called on him and the boy gave the following profound answer : "maybe his wasn't asking if Yaakov was still physically alive, but if HIS father was still alive - the father that loved and cared about him, or was that man gone?"
WOW!!
Yosef knew that Yaakov was still living and breathing because Yehuda had just told him so. What he wanted to know what if HIS father was still alive. Did Yaakov remember him, did he ever ask or talk about him anymore or had he forgotten Yosef? Baruch Hashem, we know that not only was Yaakov still alive, but so was Yosef's father!
Wednesday marked 10 months since Yitzchak ben Nachum was niftar. However, I know that my father still lives on...
Shabbat Shalom!
Friday, December 14, 2012
Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover (Parashat MiKeitz)
In this wek's parasha, Pharaoh has a dream that nobody is able to interpret for him. Finally, the bartender informs Pharaoh of a man he met while in prison (Yosef) who interpreted his dream. Yosef is summoned and interprets Pharaoh's dream. Pharaoh then names him Viceroy over Egypt.
A great famine hits (as Yosef had predicted) and nobody has grain but him. Everyone travels to Yosef to purchase food so that they can survive. Yaakov sends his sons (minus Binyamin) to Egypt to purchase grain as well - not knowing that Yosef is the one selling it.
When his brothers arrive before him, Yosef recognizes them right away but they do not recognize him. He then begins accusing them of being spies, etc. He treats them cruely, threatens to imprison them and insists that they bring him their youngest brother. In between doing all of this - he weeps! If Yosef was upset about his actions or if he was happy to see his brothers, why not embrace them and reveal his identity immediately??
Raabi Yaakov Kamenetzky explains the following:
On Channukah, we light a menorah for 8 days because Hashem gave us a miracle and oil that only should have lasted one day lasted eight. When the Kohanim first found this container of oil, they were certain that it was only enough for one day - but they were wrong.
When Yosef's brothers made the decision to sell him as a slave, they were certain that they were making a wise choice. Now, when they were face to face with a man whom everybody in the land revered as being brilliant, they were certain that he was crazy!!
Yosef put his brothers through this ordeal to teach them a very valuable lesson - Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover! Just like we learn from the Kohanim with the oil, sometimes you may look at a situation and think that you have it all figured out. In the end, however, we see that things may not be as simple (or difficult) as they appear.
With this lesson in mind, let us not be afraid (or too eager) to approach different situations in life - they may not me quite how they seem.
Shabbat Shalom!
A great famine hits (as Yosef had predicted) and nobody has grain but him. Everyone travels to Yosef to purchase food so that they can survive. Yaakov sends his sons (minus Binyamin) to Egypt to purchase grain as well - not knowing that Yosef is the one selling it.
When his brothers arrive before him, Yosef recognizes them right away but they do not recognize him. He then begins accusing them of being spies, etc. He treats them cruely, threatens to imprison them and insists that they bring him their youngest brother. In between doing all of this - he weeps! If Yosef was upset about his actions or if he was happy to see his brothers, why not embrace them and reveal his identity immediately??
Raabi Yaakov Kamenetzky explains the following:
On Channukah, we light a menorah for 8 days because Hashem gave us a miracle and oil that only should have lasted one day lasted eight. When the Kohanim first found this container of oil, they were certain that it was only enough for one day - but they were wrong.
When Yosef's brothers made the decision to sell him as a slave, they were certain that they were making a wise choice. Now, when they were face to face with a man whom everybody in the land revered as being brilliant, they were certain that he was crazy!!
Yosef put his brothers through this ordeal to teach them a very valuable lesson - Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover! Just like we learn from the Kohanim with the oil, sometimes you may look at a situation and think that you have it all figured out. In the end, however, we see that things may not be as simple (or difficult) as they appear.
With this lesson in mind, let us not be afraid (or too eager) to approach different situations in life - they may not me quite how they seem.
Shabbat Shalom!
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