“You have been shown, in order to know that the Lord He is God; there is none else besides Him.” – Deut. 4:35
Weekly Quote:
Pick a mitzvah and own it.
Adam & Eve had only one mitzvah to keep, and when they failed it brought pain, suffering and death into the world.
Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato (known by the acronym “Ramchal”, philosopher & kabbalist, was born in Padua, Italy, in 1707. Died in 1747 buried in Tiberias Israel), made a very interesting way to look at this whole episode.
Just imagine that Adam & Eve succeeded in withholding the influence of the snake! They would have been granted eternal life in the Garden of Eden. No need to work for food. All material & spiritual needs were taken care of. No sickness, no disease, and no death!
From here we can learn the great power and potential even one mitzvah has! And as the Rambam (Maimonides) says, that we should see the world as equally balanced on a scale. And when we do that one mitzvah, we can tilt the scale, and bring redemption and salvation to yourself, and to the whole world.
Never underestimate the power of a single mitzvah. There is no such thing as a “small’ mitzvah! There is no “irrelevant” act of kindness. Every mitzvah counts. Every act of kindness is important.
So, the next time you hesitate about washing your hands, or saying a prayer, giving a coin to tzedakah, lighting Shabbat candles, saying kiddush, putting on Tefillin etc. etc. Remember, by doing this single, one, (seemingly) small act, you can actually change the world!
Have a Shabbat Shalom!
Weekly Quote:
When you are tethered to a God who runs the world, you will find the lifeboat to ride out the tsunami of life.
The name Noach is mentioned three times in the opening verse of this week’s portion. The Baal HaTurim says that it signifies the three different stages of world that he saw. In its settlement, its destruction, and its resettlement.
Noach is teaching us, even if yesterday you had the ‘perfect’ life. (Or not so perfect, but things are pretty good.) But then you find yourself crashing down. Chaos erupts, things are turning around, and not at all as you anticipated or wanted.
Still, do not give up hope, Hashem will be there to pick you back right up. And not only that, but in a way that was even better than before.
All the raging waters of life, whether it is regarding health, financial, or family issues, always remember, God always provides a lifeboat that enables us not only to survive but to ride the waves and end up on top.
You should also be aware, that whenever a difficult situation arises, Hashem has ALREADY provided the means for you to overcome it.
And how to overcome these difficult situations? By going into the ‘Ark”. In Hebrew Teiva (Ark), also means letters, which forms words. Immerse yourself in words of prayer and in words of Torah. These are our ’lifeboats’.
This (prayer & Torah learning) will grant you a serenity that is unimaginable, and the power to overcome any obstacle.
Have a Shabbat Shalom!
Weekly Quote:
“We can complain that rose bushes have thorns or we can rejoice that thorn bushes have roses.” – Abraham Lincoln
Sarah was complaining to Abraham about Hagar (the maidservant) being disrespectful to her, (since Hagar became pregnant and Sarah didn’t). Chapter 16 verse 5, “And Sarai said to Abram, …May Hashem judge between me and you!”.
Rashi on the words “Between me and you”, quotes the Midrash, “Every ובינך in Scripture is spelled defectively (without the second yud), but this one is spelled fully, with two yuds וביניך.
It may thus also be read ובניך, that she cast an evil eye on Hagar’s pregnancy, and she miscarried her fetus. That is why the angel said to Hagar, “Behold, you will conceive.” But was she not already pregnant? Yet he announces to her that she will conceive? But this teaches that she miscarried her first pregnancy.”
We see the great power of the evil eye, when we see something negative in the other person, even if we don’t do anything, just the fact that we see something negative, it can cause destruction.
(17 times does the word ובינך appear in the Torah. The numerical value of טוב (good) is 17. Perhaps that is also why the “right” (first) yud is there (as opposed to have only the left (second) yud), to teach us, always look at the other with your ‘right’ eye. With kindness and compassion.)
In the Idara Rabbah (part of the holy Zohar) Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai says, the way to protect oneself from the ‘evil eye’, is for you to have only a ‘good eye’.
By viewing everyone in a favorable way, with love and a caring way, we are creating a barrier against anything negative that may be thrown our way.
Let’s highlight the good in each other, focus on our strengths and our good qualities. And Hashem in return will do the same to us.
Have a Shabbat Shalom!
Weekly Quote:
You don’t give kindness. You invest in kindness.
“…God remembered Abraham, and He sent Lot out of the midst of the destruction…” (Genesis 19:29).
Rashi brings down the Midrash, “What does the remembrance of Abraham have to do with Lot? He remembered that Lot knew that Sarah was Abraham’s wife, and that he had heard in Egypt that Abraham said about Sarah, “She is my sister,” yet he did not reveal the matter because Lot had pity on Abraham. Therefore, Hashem had pity on Lot.”
Sometimes, a person can do a ‘simple’ act, something seemingly not important, in a casual way, without any intentions. Or even by refraining from doing something, like Lot, by keeping silent and not saying anything. Later on, at some point, that can bring you a blessing and even save your life!
As it says in Mishlei (Proverbs) 21:23, “He who watches his mouth, and his tongue guards his soul from troubles.” By Lot keeping silent at that time, years later, his life and also the life of his family was saved.
This is also why King Solomon said (ibid 10:8), “The wise-hearted takes commandments”. Do mitzvot at every opportunity that you can, as you never know when that mitzvah will come back and save you.
Have a Shabbat Shalom!
Weekly Quote:
When you’re born, you cry, and everyone smiles. Live a life, so when you die you smile and everyone else cries.
“And the life of Sarah was one hundred years and twenty years and seven years, these were the years of the life of Sarah.”
Rashi explains the repetition of “years” after every number, is to tell you that each number is shared with the one next to it and learn something from it.
At a hundred years old, she was sinless like a twenty-year-old. (Until the age of twenty, one doesn’t suffer Heavenly punishment.)
And when she was twenty, she was like a seven-year-old as regards to beauty.
As we grow older, we may ‘give up’ on some good customs that we had in the past. Or we may think, it’s too late to start something new, like learning Torah or praying.
Sarah, even on the last day of her life, she made sure it will be infused with Avodat Hashem, (serving Hashem).
To such an extent, the Torah testifies that even her last day on earth was like when she was 7 years old, pure, innocent, and full of life.
It is never too late to start doing a mitzvah. It is never too late to start attending a shiur Torah (or adding another one). It is never too late to increase your love and kindness to your spouse, children, friends, and neighbors. The more one does, the more one’s neshama (soul) will shine. And the positive impact to yourself and all those around you, will be truly immeasurable.
Have a safe & healthy winter!
Shabbat Shalom!
Weekly Quote:
Life is fragile. Handle with prayer.
“And Isaac prayed to Hashem opposite his wife because she was barren.” Rashi points out, explaining what the word “opposite” means here, “Isaac was standing in this corner and praying, and Rebecca was standing in that corner and praying.”
When a husband & wife pray together, (or do any mitzvah together for that matter), the affect is so much greater, as we see here, that through their united prayers, Rivkah who was barren, was able to not only have a child, but to have twins!
We can learn from here the power of unity of the husband & wife. When the husband goes to prayers, if applicable, the wife should pray at that time too. Also, they can even decide on any specific area/topic to focus their prayers on.
And by praying together, we can be sure that the blessings will not be far behind and flow in abundance!
Have a safe & healthy winter!
Shabbat Shalom!
Weekly Quote:
“And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.” —John Steinbeck
Avraham Aveinu, represents Chesed, kindness (right side). Yitzchak, represents Gevurah, severity (left side). While Yaakov Aveinu, represents Tefera, Harmony, (center). Yaakov was able to take opposites, unite them, and elevate them.
This was shown in his dream, (Jacob’s ladder), while the foot of the ladder was on earth, it’s top reached the heavens. This is also what he meant by his promise to Hashem.
“…and He will give me bread to eat and a garment to wear; … and everything that You give me, I will surely tithe to You.”
Yaakov is promising to Hashem that by being blessed in materialistic things like food, clothing, money, he will use them in his service to Hashem and elevate them.
This world is a materialistic world, and full of kippoth, impurities. But by using the material that Hashem blessed you with, to preform mitzvot and to do acts of kindness, we sift out any of the negativity that is attached to them and elevate the physical to spiritual.
Every kind word matters, every smile has impact. Every mitzvah counts! Little by little, we remove the husk (veil / impurities), that blocks us from seeing Hashem in the world. And soon God willing, the verse in Isaiah 11:9 will be fulfilled – “…for the land shall be full of knowledge of Hashem as water covers the seabed”.
Have a safe & healthy winter!
Shabbat Shalom!
Weekly Quote:
He who doesn’t see God everywhere isn’t capable of seeing Him anywhere. – Rabbi M.M. Kotzk
Jacob’s brother Esau was marching towards Jacob with 400 men. Yaakov became very frightened and was distressed (32:8).
You can ask, where was Yaakov’s faith in Hashem? The Malbim (1809-1879) explains that in general there are two types of miracles.
A miracle that defies (above) nature, (like the miracle of Chanukah). And a miracle within the laws of nature, (like the miracle of Purim).
Yaakov needed a miracle withing the laws of nature. But to be granted such a miracle, one must have complete faith of Hashem within themselves.
But don’t think that for one moment Yaakov lacked faith in Hashem, God forbid. Yaakov thought he wasn’t worthy of such a miracle. He thought he already used up all his merits. As it says (32:11) – “I have become small from all the kindnesses …that You have rendered Your servant.”
Yaakov felt that all the goodness that the Almighty showered upon him, watching over him these past few decades, has used up all his merits, and he felt undeserving for any type of miracle.
And precisely because of his humility, because he felt unworthy, he merited to receive such a miracle, one within the boundaries of nature and be saved.
We must all make sure, to constantly fill up our reservoir, through learning Torah & doing any mitzvah that comes our way, that way we will have some merit in reserve in case we or anyone in our family may need that miracle.
Have a safe & healthy winter!
Shabbat Shalom!
Weekly Quote:
The first question a person is asked after departing from this world – “Did you conduct business faithfully?” – Talmud Shabbat 31a
In chapter 39 verse 2 it says, “and he (Yoseph) became a successful man”, and in the next verse it says, “and whatever he did Hashem made succeed in his hand.”
What is the difference between Yoseph being successful and Hashem made him successful?
There are times when one has merchandise that is good and has success with doing business with it. And there are situations when the merchandise isn’t special at all, or the person doesn’t even know how to conduct business properly, yet Hashem blesses him/her with success.
Yoseph, was a איש מצליח a “successful man”. He was successful on his own merit. And on top of that, Hashem blessed him to be successful with whatever he does.Four times the word מצליח is mentioned in the Torah, Three of them by Yosef (one with Eliezer 24:42). Yoseph was a successful person. Knew how to adapt. But he realized that his success was all from Hashem.
As King David said (I Chronicles 29:14), “For all is from You, and from Your hand we have given it to You.” All that I have is from Hashem. True, one needs to create a vessel for the blessings by doing business or going to their job, but the blessing in the work one does, comes from Hashem.
Recognize the source of your blessings, and they will truly flow into your life!
Have a safe & healthy winter!
Shabbat Shalom!
Weekly Quote:
Where is God? Wherever He is allowed in.
This Shabbat we take out 3 Torah scrolls! One for the weekly portion Mikeitz, one for Rosh Chodesh, and one for Chanukah.
This is a most auspicious time for a light of kindness & love from above. But in order for it to have a proper vessel, so the blessing can manifest, we need to do something special, something different this Shabbat.
For example – when the ark is opened to take out the Torah scrolls, that is the perfect time to add your personal prayer. But pray for someone else! (As the saying goes, “one who prays for someone else and needs it too, will get answered first”).
If you know someone who isn’t well, pray for their health. Someone in need for parnasah (livelihood), ask Hashem to have mercy on them and to shower them with blessings.
[If for any reason you can’t go to the Bet Knesset, then say a chapter or two of Tehillim (Psalms) at home, (first say chapter 20, then perhaps chapter 8 for someone who is sick, or chapter 24 for success, chapter 23 to strengthen one’s trust in Hashem). Afterwards, in your own words, ask what is needed for that person.]
This Shabbat we light 6 Chanukah candles. This represents the six directions. Up, down, and the four directions. We need to spread light wherever we go. It is also Rosh Chodesh which empowers us to have a fresh start, a new beginning.
May your life brighten up and overflow to the outside. Till everywhere will be filled with the light of Hashem!
Have a safe & healthy winter!
Shabbat Shalom! Chanukah Sameach! & Chodesh Tov!
Weekly Quote:
Among the things you can give and still keep – your word; your smile; and your heart.
“…and he (Yosef) fell on his (Yaakov’s) neck, and he wept on his neck for a long time.” (Bereishit 46:29). Rashi comments on the fact that the Torah only relates that Yosef cried, why didn’t Yaakov cry? What was Yaakov doing at that time? Our Sages said that he was reciting the Shema!
One may ask. why did Yaakov have to say the Shema exactly at that time? If the time to recite the Shema came already, he wouldn’t delay and would have recited it immediately.
If it was the beginning of the time to recite the Shema, then he would have plenty of time to recite it after greeting his son. Imagine after finally seeing your son, after thinking he was killed and mourning for him for 22 years, he was definitely overwhelmed with emotions. His heart must have been overflowing with love and excitement.
So, Yaakov decided to direct that love, those natural feelings, and use it for his service in Hashem.
And at that very moment he channeled his love to Hashem by saying the Shema.
Yaakov was teaching us, it is not that certain emotions are good or bad, it is how we use them. And that goes for everything in this world. We need to embrace all that is available for us (that is permissible), and use it to serve Hashem.
Instead of using the phone to text messages of lashon hara (gossip), use it to spread some Torah lessons (like this Dvar Torah for example 😊).
We need to utilize all that is at our disposal, to bring one another closer to Hashem. To add light in our dark times, to add warmth and encourage one another to increase in Torah & Mitzvot.
Have a safe & healthy winter!
Shabbat Shalom!
Weekly Quote:
You cannot change the wind, but you can redirect the sails.
Sometimes the name Yaakov is used, and sometimes the name Yisrael is used. As we can see in our Parshah, it opens up as “And Yaakov lived…”. And in the very next verse it says, “The time approached for Yisrael to die…”
Why is the Yisrael used as he approaches his death?
One of the differences between the names is, Yaakov comes from the word ‘eikev’ heel. Which indicates a lower-level spiritually and/or physical mundane things. (We see also regarding the blessings that he got from his father Isaac, came through deception and subterfuge). While Yisrael, is a term denoting nobility, a prince, and a chief.
When the time came for Yaakov to pass on, he was referred to as Yisrael. Showing that he has reached his ultimate level. It was culmination of his entire life’s work. He successfully transformed and elevated all his materialistic aspects to the level of Yisrael.
We, all Am Yisrael, inherited these two aspects. At times we feel that we are on the top of the world, and there are times we may feel lowly, downtrodden, and everything around us is viewed in a negative fashion.
We must know, that at any given time we have the ability to transform that low feeling (Yaakov) and raise it up-high to the level of Yisrael.
Sitting around the Shabbat table, for example, surrounded by family, friends, and hopefully guests. You say kiddush, sing songs, say a dvar Torah, speak nicely to one another, eating delicious food. This is taking the lowly things (food, talk etc.), and raising it up to holiness, to the level of Yisrael.
This is the legacy that Yaakov has given us, the power of growth, the power of transformation, the ability of change. To take a mundane physical thing, elevate it, and transform it into a mitzvah!
Have a safe & healthy winter!
Shabbat Shalom!
Weekly Quote:
Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous. – Albert Einstein
Because of Pharoh’s decree to kill all male baby’s, Yochevet (Moshe’s mother), put him in a basket and placed him in the Nile river in order to save him.
Pharaoh’s daughter who was at the Nile river at that time, saw the basket and retrieved it, saw a baby inside and decided to raise him as her own. She named him Moshe, (or the equivalent in the Egyptian language).
But what name did Amram & Yochevet give him? From various Midrashim and other sources, he had around 10 different names! But in the Torah and the name that Hashem exclusively addressed him, is Moshe. Why is that?
We can learn from here the great importance of “Hakarat Tovah” הכרת טובה gratitude. One must always be grateful to anyone that does you a kindness.
If one can’t see a tangible kindness that is done to you, for example, someone holds the door for you, greets you with a “Good morning”, or even simple as smiling to you and saying hello. How will you be able to recognize the kindness that Hashem does for you?!? (When most of Hashem’s kindness is anonymous and hidden from the eye.)
So, Moshe is called Moshe, in order to show our gratitude to (Bithiah/Bitya/Batya) the daughter of Pharoh who did kindness to Moshe.
Be appreciative and say thank you with a smile!
Have a safe & healthy winter!
Shabbat Shalom!
Weekly Quote:
A soul may descend to this world and live 70 or 80 years just in order to do a Jew a material favor, and certainly a spiritual one. – Baal Shem Tov
Can one act actually make a difference? This weeks Parsha starts the recounting of the ten plagues which is actually the beginning of the redemption from Egypt.
The name of the Parsha is Va’eira, in Hebrew וארא has the same numerical value as Yitzchak יצחק (Isaac).
ו-6 + א-1 + ר-200 + א-1 = 208 and the word Yitzchak י-10 + צ-90 + ח-8 + ק-100= 208. One of our Rabbi’s said, that in the merit of Yitzchak we were redeemed from Egypt.
But what is the connection between Isaac and the redemption? (Besides being the same numerical value.)
According to some opinions in the Midrash, Avraham actually did nick Yitzchak, and a drop of blood did come out. And it was that drop of blood that gave Am Yisrael the merit to be redeemed.
A drop of blood made a huge difference hundreds of years later!
Never underestimate a single good deed. One Mitzvah, one prayer, one act of kindness, one smile.
As Maimonides wrote, “…a person should always look at oneself as equally balanced between merit and sin and the world as equally balanced… if you perform even one mitzvah, you tip your scale and that of the entire world to the side of merit and brings deliverance and salvation to oneself and others.”
Have a safe & healthy winter!
Shabbat Shalom!
Weekly Quote:
Stop trying to micromanage your world. The One who made it is already doing that.
In this week’s Parsha Am Yisrael the commandment of eating Matzah is mentioned. In fact, it is mentioned in our Parsha alone 6 times! But why so much is focused on eating it? What is special about the Matzah?
Some commentaries point out, that Am Yisrael was at an all-time low, we were downtrodden after 210 years of slavery. Our spirituality was almost non-existence. So, in what merit did we get freed?
Among the various explanations, (preparing the Paschal lamb etc.), comes along the Matzah. Unlike leavened bread, which is puffed up full of ego. Matzah is a sign of humility and a sign of faith.
As the Prophet Jerimiah said 2:2 “… so said the Lord: I remember to you the lovingkindness of your youth… your following Me in the desert, in a land not sown.” We baked the Matzah left Egypt into the desert without provisions (except the Matzah), with complete faith in Hashem that he will take care of us.
It is with that faith that we were able to leave Egypt. In fact, the holy Zohar calls Matzah. “the bread of faith”, and by eating Matzah we internalize that faith.
Whenever we show our faith & trust in Hashem, we arouse Hashem’s love for us. As it says in Tehillim 32:10 “…as for him who trusts in Hashem – kindness will surround him.” When we have faith in Hashem, Hashem in return opens the channels of lovingkindness upon us.
So, when doing a Mitzvah have in mind, that this is the will of Hashem. This is what He wants me to do right now. I may not always understand it, I may not always be in the mood, or even want to do it, but I trust Hashem that He knows what is best for me. And I will do the mitzvah, with a feeling of faith, with a feeling of privilege, and with a feeling of joy!
Have a safe & healthy winter!
Shabbat Shalom!
Parshat Beshalach – Shabbat Shira
Weekly Quote:
“I’m only one, but I am one. I can’t do everything, but I can do something, and what I can do, I ought to do.” – Edward Hale
Hashem said to Moshe, “Why do you cry out to Me? Speak to the children of Israel and let them travel.” (Exodus 14:15)
The newborn nation was in trouble. In front of them was the Reed Sea, behind them Pharoah and his army closed in. What should they do?
So, Moshe was praying, but Hashem said to him ‘stop praying’?! Isn’t that what one should do when you are in trouble? Whenever we encounter a problem, we are supposed to pray to Hashem. Prayers connect us with the Almighty. Through prayer we can open channels of kindness and of salvation that may not have been open before. So why was Moshe told to stop?
From here we learn something amazing. Yes, prayer is one of the foundations of Judaism. True we can connect with God through prayer. True we open up sources of goodness that may have been closed prior to our prayers.
But if you can DO something to help another person, then STOP your praying! DO something!
One action, one good deed, is better than 1,000 sighs!
If we see someone down, whether is spirits, financial, or health, if you can do something to help them, then that comes first. When after you did what you can, then go ahead a say a prayer for that person. But first and foremost, DO something to help.
May you and your whole family have a safe & healthy winter!
Shabbat Shalom!
Weekly Quote:
Be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud. – Maya Angelou
The Torah is divided into 54 Parshiyot (portions). Only six of those are named after an individual. And this week’s portion is called Yitro (Jethro). Who was Yitro, and what did he do to merit a portion named after him?
We know that Yitro was Moshe’s father-in-law, but what did he do special that gave him this honor?
At the time when after leaving Egypt and crossed through the Sea of Reeds, it brought fear upon all the nations of the world. The nation Amalek said, everyone fears them, we will attack them. They wanted to cool everyone’s fear and show the world, “You see, they are not untouchable!”
Yitro who in the past, was not only an idolator, but a known high priest who served every available idol said, “Amalek wanted to cool the fear of Hashem down. I will do the opposite. I will make a Kiddush Hashem; I will sanctify God’s name. And he went to convert to Judaism. Being a known figure, this has made a huge impact on many people. This is the reason, some explain, that he had the merit to have a portion named after him.
When we go out of our way to do the right thing, not be ashamed of who we are, but show proudly that we are children of Hashem, that is a Kiddush Hashem.
Imagine stopping in the middle of a busy workday to say the afternoon prayers. Or at an important business lunch, you stop to say the blessings over the food. And when asked about our behavior, we answer proudly what we did, THAT is a Kiddush Hashem.
When you refrain from gossip or show kindness to someone who isn’t exactly ‘socially accepted’, we are doing a Kiddush Hashem at that moment.
All it takes is one act in helping another person do a mitzvah. To encourage someone in getting closer to Hashem, these are things we can do to make a Kiddush Hashem. You don’t have to be someone special. Anyone and everyone can do a Kiddush Hashem. Man, woman, and even children, all can contribute to doing a Kiddush Hashem.
May you and your whole family have a safe & healthy winter!
Shabbat Shalom!
Weekly Quote:
When a challenge falls into your lap, instead of asking, “Why me?” ask, “What now?”
This Parsha is full of mitzvot. There are 118 verses in this portion with 51 mitzvot, that would be on average, every second or third pasuk (verse) a mitzvah!
The first mitzvah that is mentioned in the parsha is regarding someone who committed the offense of robbery and has no money to pay back. So, he is sold to work off his debt. You might think, that being such a low life that he can be treated poorly, and with disregard. The Torah (from various places), warns us how much we must be careful with his feelings. So much so, that the Talmud says, “When one purchases a Hebrew servant, it is as if he bought himself a master!”
The Torah is teaching us, true he is a robber. One without care for the outcome of his actions, and how much he hurts people. We on the other hand must always be respectful. Our focus is to rehabilitate him, not to make him suffer.
One should not have the “Holier than thou” attitude. You have the capability to help others to rebuild their lives, to give them another chance in turning their life around. Not to focus on their past misdeeds and negative behaviors. Not to embarrass them, or God forbid, belittle them, but to help raise them back up on the correct path in returning to Hashem.
If you see someone trip and fall, will you point at them and laugh? Of course not. You will go and help them get up. So much more, if someone is falling short in their spiritual life. Don’t be a bystander. Don’t think that you are better than them. If this was brought to your attention, then perhaps Hashem is saying, “You have the ability to help that person. So please go help them! Give them the support that they need.”
May you and your whole family have a safe & healthy winter!
Shabbat Shalom!
Weekly Quote:
Mitzvah means ‘connection’. With every mitzvah we do, we connect and become one with the Almighty! – Zohar HaKadosh.
In instructing Moshe Rabeinu about gathering the various materials needed for the building of the Tabernacle (Mishkan), Hashem says to Moshe, “Speak to the children of Israel, and have them take for Me an offering…”. At first glance, the wording sounds a bit off, if we are donating material we are ‘giving’ not taking?
Everything belongs to Hashem, and He lacks nothing. As King David said: “For everything comes from You, and from Your own hand we give to You” (I Chronicles 29:14). So why do we need to make offerings to Hashem? And now that we don’t have the Beit HaMikdash, can we still give?
Hashem with His great love for us, wants us to be equal partners with Him in sustaining the world. And as with partners, what belongs to one belongs to the other. What is His is ours, what is ours is His. So even if we are ‘giving’ a donation to Hashem, at the same time we are also ‘taking’ those blessings within our lives.
What can we give today? Every time we do a mitzvah, we are giving to Hashem our time, our will. We may be in the mood to do something entirely different, to gossip about someone, but you decide, no! I will dedicate this time to Hashem and learn a Mishnah. Or I will do an act of Chesed. These are our donations to Hashem.
With every mitzvah, with every act of kindness, with every word of Torah, we are building the third Beit HaMikdash, brick by brick, and hopefully very soon we will see merit the coming of Mashiach, Amen!
May you and your whole family have a safe & healthy winter!
Shabbat Shalom!
Weekly Quote:
Speech can build worlds (by being positive) or destroy worlds (by being negative). What will yours be?
This week’s Parsha describes in detail the various clothing that the kohanim (priests) would need to wear when they perform their service in the Mishkan (Tabernacle).
The Talmud says (Zevachim 88b): “Just like the sacrifices brought atonement, so too, the Priestly garments. The Robe (that which the High Priest wore), atones for evil speech, (slander/gossip) … Rabbi Chanina explains: Let something that emits sound (through the bells on the bottom of the robe), atone for sound.”
There were 72 bells (made of gold) and 72 pomegranates (woven by wool), hanging along the hem of the Robe, alternating with one another. The bell had a clapper and would make a noise as the High Priest walked, while the pomegranate was hollow.
You may ask, Lashon Harah (gossip) is by speech which makes a noise, but why the pomegranates? They are silent. How is that connected to atone for evil speech?
In general Lashon Harah is done through speech. We say negative things about others. But we can also allude to Lashon Harah indirectly. For example, someone says something nice about someone, and you respond by using some facial expression about it. Like rolling your eyes or wincing. You didn’t say anything, but the message was clear.
We are in very turbulent times. A lot of unrest in Israel, violence and antisemitism here in the USA, what we need to do is, to go above and beyond to be nice to one another. ONLY say positive things about each other. And if someone does say something negative, stop them in their tracks, and say – “We may be far from perfect, but we are all children of Hashem.” And there is nothing greater for a parent than to hear GOOD things about their children.
Common excuses for speaking Lashon Harah: (from the book “Guard Your Tongue” by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin)
Make sure you are the one who always has something positive to say!
May you and your whole family have a safe & healthy winter!
Shabbat Shalom!
