Our Parsha this Shabbos is Parashas Va' Eschanan. This Parsha , we read just after the week of Tisha' B ' Av and so , the Haftorah for this Parsha is Isaiah 40:1-6 and starts with the words 'Nachamu Nachamu Ami Yomar Elokeichem,' - ' Comfort Comfort My People, Says G-D .' After Tisha B'Av, HaShem can let us return from Galus - Exile and let our sins be forgiven . So this is very apt just after Tisha B'Av . HaShem Comforts us always and His Actions are True . Within the word ' Va' Eschanan , ' is the word ' Nachamu ,' - ' Comfort , ' for HaShem is always a Comfort and His Words and Actions are True . Even when we ask Him for something , and even if He Says ' No ,' this is still a Comfort , as HaShem Knows best for us what we need .
In our Parsha this week, Moshe continues his talk to the people. Moshe starts here telling how he 'Va' Eschanan,' - 'Implored,' HaShem to be able to go into the Land of Canaan and how the answer from HaShem was 'No.'
Moshe carries on in this Parsha , telling of the many Wonders HaShem Performed for us in the Wilderness.Moshe warns the people that when they come to and enter the Land of Canaan, they are to maintain HaShem's Commandments as HaShem Wants.
The Parsha then tells of the Cities of Refuge, in which a murderer who killed unintentionally, can flee to , from the 'Avenger of the Blood ( the relative of the deceased ).'
Afterwards, Moshe reviewed with them the Ten Commandments . This is the basis of all the Commandments given by HaShem . The Beautiful first verse and paragraph of the Shema, comes next in Torah . The Shema has three paragraphs . In this Parsha, we have the first paragraph, starting with ,"Shema Yisrael, HaShem Elokeinu , HaShem Echad," - "Hear O Israel , HaShem is our G-D , HaShem is the One and Only ." .We notice that in a proper Torah Scroll, the 'Ayin' Letter at the end of the first word of this Shema and the ' Daled ,' letter at the end of the first line , are written bigger. Putting this 'Ayin' together with the 'Daled,' spells ' Eid,' which means 'Witness.' This is an indication of us as a people being 'Eidim,' - Witnesses to the Oneness of G-D . Thus one of our tasks as Jews is to teach the rest of the World about the Oneness of G-D . The Shema is a main Prayer of the Jew and is said every Morning and Evening and before we go to sleep . We attest at all times as Jews , to HaShem's Oneness and the beauty of His Commandments . Within the word 'Shema,' is the word "Shem,' which means 'Name ' and when putting this word 'Shem,' s to HaShem's Name with the Ayin letter and the word Echad and the Daled at the end of the verse, we come to the deep concept ot HaShem's Name being the Only G-D and His Creation attesting as a Witness to HaShem , Creation's Creator .
This first paragraph of the Shema, tells us to love HaShem our G-D , with all our heart, soul and resources . 'We are reminded here of Rabbi Akiva, who, when he was being tortured by the Romans and raked with iron combs, was thankful to HaShem that he could fulfill this verse in Entirety and love HaShem with all his soul and resources and not just his heart, as his soul left his body . How often in our Jewish History have the words of Shema Yisrael and Ani Ma'amin been the last words on our mouths before we faced the anti- Jewish hatred of the nations.
These verses continue teaching how at all times, we must continue learning Torah and how Jewish Males in Adulthood are to put on Tefillin , while praying Shacharis Morning Prayers and put Mezuzos on our doorposts and Gates, a reminder of HaShem Saving us from Mitzrayim .Both the Tefillin and Mezuzos have the beauty of Shema within them on their scrolls , and when putting on Tefillin and having Mezuzos on our doorposts , as given to us Jews , we attest to the Oneness of HaShem .
Moshe then warns us to continue to be faithful to HaShem , even after HaShem Blesses us with abundance , when we can so easily forget where it came from when we revel in physical material things and so we must always keep HaShem in mind so as to remember where everything comes from - from HaShem. We are reminded then how important it is to teach our children and give our children a true Torah education and teach them to grow up to be learned Jews, following HaShem's Torah and Commandments.
Moshe then tells us from HaShem , that when HaShem Brings us to the land of Canaan,we are not to accept the seven nations that abide there , and not seal covenants with them or intermarry with them, for they will cause the people to follow idol-worship Chas Ve Shalom . We are Commanded to break their altars and smash their pillars and cut down their unsacred trees ( asherah trees and other false deities like ashteroth that the nations concocted ) and burn in fire their carved images .Even when the Temples stood, we were not to put trees in the vicinity of the Temple , as the nations would pray to trees . The Sedra ends with us being told of how HaShem Loves and has chosen us as a nation of Jews to be His Treasured People and how we are to observe HaShem's Commandments and Decrees and Ordinances .
This Parsha as I mentioned starts out with how Moshe " Va' Eschanan," " Implored HaShem to please let Him enter the Land. The word for 'Implore,' is ' Va' Eschanan,' which is the name of this Parsha. Within this word, is the amount of times, Moshe throughout, continued to ask HaShem to please allow him entry into Eretz Yisrael .
If we take the Gematrical value of this word, " Va ' Eschanan , ' it comes to the number 515 and so it was thus 515 times that Moshe , in different ways , ' Implored ' and pleaded with HaShem to let him enter Eretz Yisrael . To just imagine how many times that is, is really quite something. None of us could have had it so important as to ask so many times . So holy and special was Moshe . Moshe also feared that the people would continue to need his care and prayer and he continued to beg HaShem . It is interesting to note, that Moshe passed away in the Hebrew year 2488 . We have it by our Sages that the final year till the End of Days' final date will be in the year 6093 . If we take this 6093 and subtract the date off Moshe's passing, we get the number 3605 years left between the time of Moshe's passing till the time of the final date to the End of Days at its last possible date . Taking this number 3605 and dividing it by the number of Sabbatical Years ( Seven Year Cyces ) , we get 515 Sabbatical Cycles more from the time Moshe passed away till the most final possible End of Days Date of 6093 , so says our Midrash . This is the exact number of times Moshe " Va' Eschanan " - " Implored " HaShem . Thus it is as if, Moshe Imploring HaShem , actually covers us with Moshe's Prayers , till the last possible date till The End Of Days can come . So even today and into the future , Moshe and his Prayers still cover us . How great was Moshe's love for his people .The secrets and wonders of HaShem are beyond our human capacity to fathom . HaShem Has a reason for everything He Does. Even in saying ' No' compassionately to Moshe Rabbeinu , His beloved Moshe . The Kabbalah also teaches that the angels say 515 Tefillos ( Prayers ) every day , so says our Midrash .
Within this word ' Va' Eschanan ,' is the word ' Chein' - ' Grace,' for HaShem always found 'Grace' in Moshe. The word 'Chinun ' within the word Va ' Eschanan also means 'Mercy , ' showing that even in HaShem Saying No, HaShem Is Being Merciful , even though we may not understand or know it at the time . Thus we must always trust in HaShem and have Faith and full Emunah in all He Does , for HaShem Always Knows Best .
This also teaches us that one should never give up hope and should continue to pray and speak to G-D and even when HaShem Says 'No,' to trust that HaShem Knows Best and that His ' No' is for the best of you and Creation as a whole .
Moshe always sought the best for his people and even though the behavior of some who he was leading, affected his entry into the Land, Moshe, never lost caring for them and still wanted to give his all for his people. HaShem loved Moshe dearly and most certainly did not deprive Moshe of the Land , for any reason other than a positive one .
We too , must learn to display faith in HaShem and Trust in His Actions and Providence .
No prayer that Moshe uttered , went in vain . All his prayers spiritually still assist us and that is the same with us. Every prayer we utter to G-D ( For it is only to G-D , that we must pray ) , has a purpose and helps something in Creation, even if we think it is not answered to us. HaShem Hears all Prayer , and all Tefillos Prayers that we Pray , does have positive effects in some part of Creation , even though we may not know it or see it . All Creation is connected and when one part of Creation prays, it does have an effect on the whole of Creation itself, so no Prayer that is genuine and that is made to HaShem, ever goes unanswered, for somewhere and in some time , past , present and or future somewhere ( for HaShem Is Beyond time ) , that Prayer goes toward something in Creation . So when we Pray, we all help each other in ways we cannot imagine . So Wonderful is HaShem . Thus even our Prayers can be an act of Tzeddakah Righteousness and Charity in ways beyond what we are aware of , or could possibly be aware of .
So much more so , are we all so connected . If we only realized it . So much more so , if we ' Va' Eschanan ,' - ' Implored ' HaShem with all our Heart and Soul and Resources .
This World needs us to Work together , not just to Pray for ourselves, but for the betterment of others and that we should all gain a closeness with HaShem . Praying to G-D is such a sweet Connection to HaShem , and if we would all Pray to Only HaShem at the same time and with the same faithfulness and caring for HaShem and others, we may accomplish the End of Days.
So let us " Va' Eschanan , " - " Implore " HaShem constantly to come Closer to us and allow us to Usher in a time of Peace and the End of Days and let us Beg HaShem That He Helps us Improve and Helps us Keep His Commandments and that He Comes Close to us and Brings us Close to Him . May the time Come Now that we Usher in , by our Prayers and Faithful Keeping of His Laws, the End Of Days surrounded by HaShem's Love . May we and all Creation work together to help fill Creation with HaShem's Love.
With Love to HaShem , I wish HaShem with Love , a Beautiful Shabbos Kodesh with Love , and to all my fellow Yidden , a Beautiful Shabbos Kodesh with love .
Friday, 27 July 2018
Friday, 20 July 2018
Parashas Devarim - Tisha B' Av
Our Parsha this Shabbos is Parashas Devarim , starting the First Sedra of the last Book of the Torah. This Book of Devarim,was called by our Sages, 'Mishneh Torah,' which means ' Repetition or Review of The Torah ,' where this Book explains some Laws that came before , but here , in this Sedra,they are more detailed and are explained in a deeper way. Also Torah is learned via deep study and review and each time we learn a word or verse in Torah, more beauty and depth shows itself.
This Shabbos also comes out on the 9th of Av ,Tisha B' Av , and seeing that we don't Fast on a Shabbos, unless it is Yom Kippur, we postpone the Fast till the next day. Tisha B' Av, was the date that the Spies came back from spying out the land of Canaan and brought a negative report on the land and on the night of that 9th of Av, they caused the people to cry in their own tents , for no reason, and shun the land HaShem Wanted to Give us, and so , this date was ordained that after this sad event till Mashiach comes, there will be reason to cry. So many tragedies happened on this 9th of Av,like the destruction of both our Temples and attacks on Yerushalaim, The Crusades, World War, Final Solution date by the nazis, Chmielnitsky Massacres,Our Expulsion from Spain, Pogroms, attacks in Israel and many more sad events in our History. Our Rabbis teach us that on this saddest day of the Jewish Calendar,we will in the End of Days future, see how this day turns around with Mashiach and becomes a day of Redemption and Rejoicing.
Moshe , knowing his time was drawing close to passing on,asked HaShem to give him the opportunity to review the Torah, Moshe had received at Har Sanai and in the Tent of Meeting. HaShem Granted Moshe's request and so, Moshe called all the people to come and listen to these 'Words,' 'Devarim,' that Moshe , now , so eloquently , would tell them.
Moshe started on the 1st of the Hebrew Month of Shevat and ended on the 7th of Adar 2488 (36-37 days), and until the date of Moshe's Passing. Such was Moshe's love of HaShem and our Jewish people.
Moshe wanted to instill in us, before his passing,to follow HaShem Wholeheartedly and not to stray Chas Ve Shalom .Moshe always spoke up for us whenever wrong was perpetrated by us.
Moshe now knew he wouldn't be there anymore , and so , he wanted to instill in the people, now miraculously speaking so clearly by HaShem's Miracle,without a speech impediment, that they must themselves, do the right thing and follow HaShem Wholeheartedly.
Moshe started his talk to the people, with a rebuke, to hopefully ensure that the people remain faithful to HaShem.
Moshe started , by reminders of some of the wrongs committed by us in the past. Moshe refers to the Appointment of Judges .
Then Moshe repeats the incidents with Eisav and Moav and also the conquests of Og and Sichon. Moshe then talks of the separated land on the other side of the Jordan River , from Israel, which was to be given to Reuvein, Simeon and half the Tribe of Manasseh .
The Sedra ends with words for Yehoshua.
May HaShem forever watch over Moshe and Yehoshuah and over our people Israel.
We see in the first verse, that Moshe spoke to 'El Kol Yisrael,' - 'To the whole of Israel.' Moshe as I said,insisted that all come to listen to him speaking, for what Moshe spoke ' Devar,' was ' Im,' - ' With ' HaShem , - thus the word 'Devarim .'
Devarim was named ' Mishneh Torah ' Repetition or Review of the Torah,' for Moshe was going over a few things he had mentioned before,yet many Laws ,not previously mentioned ,are in this Book of Devarim.
It is amazing to think , how special Moshe was, that even after hearing that his time of passing was coming, his devotion to HaShem, was unparalleled , for Moshe was able to serve HaShem and also care for us, no matter what he himself faced.
Moshe didn't outright want to embarrass the people while rebuking them, so he gave the places in the first verse, as hidden hints to the Aveirahs committed , a lesson for us all to learn .
The fact that the first verse in the Sedra, says "El Kol Yisrael,' means in a deeper sense, that Moshe speaks his words to every Jew , past , present and into the future. Each time a Jew picks up a Torah, or a Tanach and reads, HaShem and Moshe Speak through it , we must know that HaShem Intended us at that exact moment to study that exact Portion or Part and we respond with our Free Choice Given, by doing so . The word 'Speak' in Hebrew is also 'Daber,' as in 'Devarim ' and Torah is the Beauty of HaShem ." HaShem and Moshe Speaks to us all the time through The Torah .
Moshe was the greatest Prophet that ever lived and His closeness with HaShem was the closest of any Prophet . He was a man totally self-less, caring little if any , for his own needs and in abundance, for HaShem's and our People's need.
HaShem and Moshe can never be thanked enough, for what HaShem Does and what Moshe did.
With our power of 'Devarim,' - 'Words,' we can come close to HaShem and bring others close to HaShem . Words Carry, Words Heal, Words Teach and Words Express.Words can be a never ending Holy Chain, right back from Creation, till Eternity and Beyond. HaShem Continually Communicates with us. His Words surround us and encircle us. All we need to do , is Trust in Him and have Faith in Him , and live within HaShem's Words of the Torah.Whatever Moshe Spoke, was from HaShem with all HaShem's Beautiful Words in The Book of Devarim . So while this Sedra starts out by saying that "Moshe Spoke to all Israel,' we note that this speaking took place 'B'Eiver ,' - 'On the Other Side.' There is a deeper meaning to this. HaShem Speaks to us from His 'Abode' and when we remain far from His Torah Chas Ve Shalom , we will be ' On the Other Side.' But when we involve ourselves totally in HaShem's Torah and Words, we are brought closer to HaShem and Surrounded by His Loving Essence of Shechinah .We too have to learn to come closer to our Creator. How do we do that? By following the Name of this Sedra- ' Eileh Ha Devarim, ' - "These are the Words,' for 'Words' of HaShem will bring us closer to HaShem . Words express Prayer. Words express Love. Words express Caring. Words express Learing.HaShem's Words, Express HaShem .
HaShem Made His Creation,HaShem Only , Knows All . HaShem's Words Speak to us all the time, Softly , Gently and with His Merciful Caring Love. HaShem Gives us His Sweet Words all the time. We need only tune away from physical things and just listen out for HaShem's Whisper,that Touches us and Fills us with Him , so we can live within HaShem's ' Words ' - ' Devarim.'. We need to carry HaShem's Words on our lips, as Moshe Rabbeinu did. We need to share HaShem's Words, as Moshe Rabbeinu did. We need to love HaShem and do for Him without a second thought as Moshe Rabbeinu did . We need to carry HaShem's Words into all that we do , as Moshe Rabbeinu did .
With Words HaShem Made Creation. With Words HaShem Communicates with us. So with HaShem's Words, may HaShem Lift us Up High and Bring us Close to Him, our Ever Beloved HaShem .
As I mentioned, this Shabbos comes on Tisha B' Av, so the Fast is postponed till the next day. To understand why we have Tisha B' Av, is to understand what actions brought this sad day about. It was Slanderous ' Words and lack of Emunah in HaShem and groundless hatred for others - Chas Ve Shalom , So the way to fix it is to Praise and Bless HaShem with every word we say, to follow HaShem's Words fully , and to not Slander anyone but to Emulate HaShem, as much as we can . So as we take words with us this Shabbos and this Tisha B' Av, and plead for HaShem's Forgiveness , may we bring a new closeness between HaShem and us and so, may this day be turned around into a day of Blessed Joy and Sweet Closeness and the coming of HaShem and Mashiach , in the sweet fragrant Garden of Eden - Gan Eiden surrounded by the Love and Words of HaShem.
With Love to HaShem, I wish HaShem with Love, a Blessed Shabbos Kodesh with Love , and to all my fellow Yidden, a Blessed Shabbos Kodesh with love and a Meaningful Fast.
This Shabbos also comes out on the 9th of Av ,Tisha B' Av , and seeing that we don't Fast on a Shabbos, unless it is Yom Kippur, we postpone the Fast till the next day. Tisha B' Av, was the date that the Spies came back from spying out the land of Canaan and brought a negative report on the land and on the night of that 9th of Av, they caused the people to cry in their own tents , for no reason, and shun the land HaShem Wanted to Give us, and so , this date was ordained that after this sad event till Mashiach comes, there will be reason to cry. So many tragedies happened on this 9th of Av,like the destruction of both our Temples and attacks on Yerushalaim, The Crusades, World War, Final Solution date by the nazis, Chmielnitsky Massacres,Our Expulsion from Spain, Pogroms, attacks in Israel and many more sad events in our History. Our Rabbis teach us that on this saddest day of the Jewish Calendar,we will in the End of Days future, see how this day turns around with Mashiach and becomes a day of Redemption and Rejoicing.
Moshe , knowing his time was drawing close to passing on,asked HaShem to give him the opportunity to review the Torah, Moshe had received at Har Sanai and in the Tent of Meeting. HaShem Granted Moshe's request and so, Moshe called all the people to come and listen to these 'Words,' 'Devarim,' that Moshe , now , so eloquently , would tell them.
Moshe started on the 1st of the Hebrew Month of Shevat and ended on the 7th of Adar 2488 (36-37 days), and until the date of Moshe's Passing. Such was Moshe's love of HaShem and our Jewish people.
Moshe wanted to instill in us, before his passing,to follow HaShem Wholeheartedly and not to stray Chas Ve Shalom .Moshe always spoke up for us whenever wrong was perpetrated by us.
Moshe now knew he wouldn't be there anymore , and so , he wanted to instill in the people, now miraculously speaking so clearly by HaShem's Miracle,without a speech impediment, that they must themselves, do the right thing and follow HaShem Wholeheartedly.
Moshe started his talk to the people, with a rebuke, to hopefully ensure that the people remain faithful to HaShem.
Moshe started , by reminders of some of the wrongs committed by us in the past. Moshe refers to the Appointment of Judges .
Then Moshe repeats the incidents with Eisav and Moav and also the conquests of Og and Sichon. Moshe then talks of the separated land on the other side of the Jordan River , from Israel, which was to be given to Reuvein, Simeon and half the Tribe of Manasseh .
The Sedra ends with words for Yehoshua.
May HaShem forever watch over Moshe and Yehoshuah and over our people Israel.
We see in the first verse, that Moshe spoke to 'El Kol Yisrael,' - 'To the whole of Israel.' Moshe as I said,insisted that all come to listen to him speaking, for what Moshe spoke ' Devar,' was ' Im,' - ' With ' HaShem , - thus the word 'Devarim .'
Devarim was named ' Mishneh Torah ' Repetition or Review of the Torah,' for Moshe was going over a few things he had mentioned before,yet many Laws ,not previously mentioned ,are in this Book of Devarim.
It is amazing to think , how special Moshe was, that even after hearing that his time of passing was coming, his devotion to HaShem, was unparalleled , for Moshe was able to serve HaShem and also care for us, no matter what he himself faced.
Moshe didn't outright want to embarrass the people while rebuking them, so he gave the places in the first verse, as hidden hints to the Aveirahs committed , a lesson for us all to learn .
The fact that the first verse in the Sedra, says "El Kol Yisrael,' means in a deeper sense, that Moshe speaks his words to every Jew , past , present and into the future. Each time a Jew picks up a Torah, or a Tanach and reads, HaShem and Moshe Speak through it , we must know that HaShem Intended us at that exact moment to study that exact Portion or Part and we respond with our Free Choice Given, by doing so . The word 'Speak' in Hebrew is also 'Daber,' as in 'Devarim ' and Torah is the Beauty of HaShem ." HaShem and Moshe Speaks to us all the time through The Torah .
Moshe was the greatest Prophet that ever lived and His closeness with HaShem was the closest of any Prophet . He was a man totally self-less, caring little if any , for his own needs and in abundance, for HaShem's and our People's need.
HaShem and Moshe can never be thanked enough, for what HaShem Does and what Moshe did.
With our power of 'Devarim,' - 'Words,' we can come close to HaShem and bring others close to HaShem . Words Carry, Words Heal, Words Teach and Words Express.Words can be a never ending Holy Chain, right back from Creation, till Eternity and Beyond. HaShem Continually Communicates with us. His Words surround us and encircle us. All we need to do , is Trust in Him and have Faith in Him , and live within HaShem's Words of the Torah.Whatever Moshe Spoke, was from HaShem with all HaShem's Beautiful Words in The Book of Devarim . So while this Sedra starts out by saying that "Moshe Spoke to all Israel,' we note that this speaking took place 'B'Eiver ,' - 'On the Other Side.' There is a deeper meaning to this. HaShem Speaks to us from His 'Abode' and when we remain far from His Torah Chas Ve Shalom , we will be ' On the Other Side.' But when we involve ourselves totally in HaShem's Torah and Words, we are brought closer to HaShem and Surrounded by His Loving Essence of Shechinah .We too have to learn to come closer to our Creator. How do we do that? By following the Name of this Sedra- ' Eileh Ha Devarim, ' - "These are the Words,' for 'Words' of HaShem will bring us closer to HaShem . Words express Prayer. Words express Love. Words express Caring. Words express Learing.HaShem's Words, Express HaShem .
HaShem Made His Creation,HaShem Only , Knows All . HaShem's Words Speak to us all the time, Softly , Gently and with His Merciful Caring Love. HaShem Gives us His Sweet Words all the time. We need only tune away from physical things and just listen out for HaShem's Whisper,that Touches us and Fills us with Him , so we can live within HaShem's ' Words ' - ' Devarim.'. We need to carry HaShem's Words on our lips, as Moshe Rabbeinu did. We need to share HaShem's Words, as Moshe Rabbeinu did. We need to love HaShem and do for Him without a second thought as Moshe Rabbeinu did . We need to carry HaShem's Words into all that we do , as Moshe Rabbeinu did .
With Words HaShem Made Creation. With Words HaShem Communicates with us. So with HaShem's Words, may HaShem Lift us Up High and Bring us Close to Him, our Ever Beloved HaShem .
As I mentioned, this Shabbos comes on Tisha B' Av, so the Fast is postponed till the next day. To understand why we have Tisha B' Av, is to understand what actions brought this sad day about. It was Slanderous ' Words and lack of Emunah in HaShem and groundless hatred for others - Chas Ve Shalom , So the way to fix it is to Praise and Bless HaShem with every word we say, to follow HaShem's Words fully , and to not Slander anyone but to Emulate HaShem, as much as we can . So as we take words with us this Shabbos and this Tisha B' Av, and plead for HaShem's Forgiveness , may we bring a new closeness between HaShem and us and so, may this day be turned around into a day of Blessed Joy and Sweet Closeness and the coming of HaShem and Mashiach , in the sweet fragrant Garden of Eden - Gan Eiden surrounded by the Love and Words of HaShem.
With Love to HaShem, I wish HaShem with Love, a Blessed Shabbos Kodesh with Love , and to all my fellow Yidden, a Blessed Shabbos Kodesh with love and a Meaningful Fast.
Friday, 13 July 2018
Parashas Mattos - Masei
Our Shabbos Parsha this week is a double Sedra of Mattos-Masei, just after Rosh Chodesh Av and the start of the Nine Days, leading up to Tisha B'Av.
In Mattos,Moshe gives HaShem's Instructions of Vows and Oaths, to the heads of the 'Mattos,' - 'Tribes.' The Torah discusses in detail the Laws of Vows and Oaths. Moshe first addressed the 'Mattos,' - 'Tribal,' Leaders, for they had the power to annul vows that could be annulled.A Neder, changes the object in question's status that one is making a Vow over, like making something forbidden, whereas in an Oath, one may prohibit oneself for doing something. The act of making a Vow or Oath, actually allows a person to make a Law they must themselves abide by. After the discussion of Vows and Oaths and who may annul them, HaShem instructs Moshe to take vengeance on Midian and then he would be gathered to his people. Any other person would have delayed such an order, knowing that at the end of such an order they would pass away.But not our beloved Moshe. For HaShem, he would do anything and put his own feelings aside.
Israel goes to war against Midian,with Pinchas as a leader, and Midian is defeated and Bilaam son of Beor is slain.Moshe rebukes the officers, for allowing the women , that caused the men to be enticed to idolworship,.to remain alive.
Laws allowed for Kashering the utensils, and division of the spoils are then discussed..
Reuvein and Gad approach Moshe, asking that they get their portion of land on the other side of the Jordan,instead of in Canaan with half the Tribe of Manasseh.Moshe got angry with them as HaShem had assured us we would take our portions in Canaan.But these tribes assured Moshe they would fight alongside their brothers and so they were permitted. This ended up to be a mistake on these two and a half Tribes, as later on in history, when Israel was invaded, it was their area that got attacked first. We must always appreciate what HaShem Gives us.HaShem Knows best.
Parashas Masei as the word 'Masei' - Refers, is 'Journeys,' and this Sedra starts off with the Journeys, the Children of Israel took and the places on the way, forty two to be exact, and the ups and downs that the people experienced,- from the time that the Jews left Egypt,till reaching the Jordan . Our Rabbis tell us that the time together was so special to HaShem ,through these 42 places,that HaShem Wanted a note of it, almost like a Father who takes his son on a journey and accounts for every place they stop at , it being special for him ( the father ) . Every moment that HaShem Spends with us is so very special to Him and so , should be very special to us.We should thus learn to spend every moment we can, with HaShem, every Yom Tov, every moment we pray, every moment we can do a Mitzvah for HaShem,every moment with HaShem is very precious and should not be rushed , but done with concentration and love and holy intention.
Then, the Sedra explains the borders of Israel and then goes on to talk of the Cities of Refuge to which an unintentional murderer can flee.There Were six cities set aside (3 in Canaan and 3 on the other side of the Jordan). The Sedra and also the Book of 'Bamidbar' - 'Numbers' ends on the Laws of how Tribal Land is not to make rounds from Tribe to Tribe, but is to remain in that Tribe , as part of that Tribe's Lineage and we are told of Zelophechad's holy daughters who married into their own Tribe..
So, we have two Parshas, where the one starts talking of Vows and Oaths and the next Parsha, of the Journeys of the Children of Israel.
What lesson can we learn from these two mentions, in these two Sedras at this time of the Hebrew year, asking for Repentance as we make our way toward the day of Tisha B' Av.
The Laws of Vows and Oaths,reminds us to control what comes out of our Mouths and to keep our word and be honest, and never to be careless with what we say. The section of our Journeys, teaches us to make a physical accounting of the steps we take in our lives, Given by HaShem , and to plan our destiny very carefully, according and only to the Will of HaShem. It teaches us that every step we take in our life's Journey, must be toward HaShem, just as each step we took in the Wilderness then, led us closer and closer to HaShem and His Holy Land of Israel.
The fact that Moshe instructed first , the leaders of the Tribes, teaches us that we must be leaders and masters of our own mouth and actions . We must control our own destinies, by being good and kind and keeping on HaShem's Path and doing all His Mitzvos always, no matter what experiences we face in life .That must be the 'Masei,' - 'Journey' that we take, every day - every Hour - every Minute, every second we breathe, for as we know, each and every breath we take, is HaShem's Gift to us and must be used in His Honor and for Him ..
We are now in the Nine Days headed toward Tisha B' Av. Tisha B' Av started when the Spies came back with an evil report on the Land and they slandered the Land of Israel.That night the people cried for no reason, and ever since, this date throughout our history,this has has been a date to cry for our people.This has been the date of Pogroms, Final Solution, Spain signing an edict to remove us Jews from Spain, Cusades, Both our Holy Temples being destroyed,Chmielnitsky Massacres and many other tragedies. For this we mourn.This is what happens when going off the path and not listening to our Creator's Words, but making up our own Mind , Chas Ve Shalom and going our own way, to pointless physicalities, and not following HaShem's Torah. At this time of year for us Jews, may we take special note and an accounting of our own lives and look deeply into what HaShem Expects of us and learn to oblige.Learn to keep HaShem's Commandments always and to travel only toward HaShem and use our mouths only in the service of HaShem . And may this day of Tisha B' Av be turned around and become a day of Joy and Happiness in which we enter into Gan Eiden with Mashiach, for we are told that on this day of the greatest tragedy, at the End of Days, it will be turned around to a day of Blessings and Eternal Joy.
HaShem Gave us His Holy Torah of Light. We are to grasp onto It and not let It go.That must be our 'Journey' - 'Masei,' as part of the 'Tribes,' - 'Mattos' of Israel.We are to hold onto It and never ever let It go Chas Ve Shalom . So reach out with your Neshoma and Heart, and forever Journey to HaShem. And let our Mouths always speak the Sweet Words of HaShem and may we forever Journey within HaShem's Love.
I wish HaShem With Love, a Beautiful Special Shabbos Kodesh and Chodesh Tov with Love, and to all my fellow Yidden, a beautiful Shabbos Kodesh and Chodesh Tov with love.
In Mattos,Moshe gives HaShem's Instructions of Vows and Oaths, to the heads of the 'Mattos,' - 'Tribes.' The Torah discusses in detail the Laws of Vows and Oaths. Moshe first addressed the 'Mattos,' - 'Tribal,' Leaders, for they had the power to annul vows that could be annulled.A Neder, changes the object in question's status that one is making a Vow over, like making something forbidden, whereas in an Oath, one may prohibit oneself for doing something. The act of making a Vow or Oath, actually allows a person to make a Law they must themselves abide by. After the discussion of Vows and Oaths and who may annul them, HaShem instructs Moshe to take vengeance on Midian and then he would be gathered to his people. Any other person would have delayed such an order, knowing that at the end of such an order they would pass away.But not our beloved Moshe. For HaShem, he would do anything and put his own feelings aside.
Israel goes to war against Midian,with Pinchas as a leader, and Midian is defeated and Bilaam son of Beor is slain.Moshe rebukes the officers, for allowing the women , that caused the men to be enticed to idolworship,.to remain alive.
Laws allowed for Kashering the utensils, and division of the spoils are then discussed..
Reuvein and Gad approach Moshe, asking that they get their portion of land on the other side of the Jordan,instead of in Canaan with half the Tribe of Manasseh.Moshe got angry with them as HaShem had assured us we would take our portions in Canaan.But these tribes assured Moshe they would fight alongside their brothers and so they were permitted. This ended up to be a mistake on these two and a half Tribes, as later on in history, when Israel was invaded, it was their area that got attacked first. We must always appreciate what HaShem Gives us.HaShem Knows best.
Parashas Masei as the word 'Masei' - Refers, is 'Journeys,' and this Sedra starts off with the Journeys, the Children of Israel took and the places on the way, forty two to be exact, and the ups and downs that the people experienced,- from the time that the Jews left Egypt,till reaching the Jordan . Our Rabbis tell us that the time together was so special to HaShem ,through these 42 places,that HaShem Wanted a note of it, almost like a Father who takes his son on a journey and accounts for every place they stop at , it being special for him ( the father ) . Every moment that HaShem Spends with us is so very special to Him and so , should be very special to us.We should thus learn to spend every moment we can, with HaShem, every Yom Tov, every moment we pray, every moment we can do a Mitzvah for HaShem,every moment with HaShem is very precious and should not be rushed , but done with concentration and love and holy intention.
Then, the Sedra explains the borders of Israel and then goes on to talk of the Cities of Refuge to which an unintentional murderer can flee.There Were six cities set aside (3 in Canaan and 3 on the other side of the Jordan). The Sedra and also the Book of 'Bamidbar' - 'Numbers' ends on the Laws of how Tribal Land is not to make rounds from Tribe to Tribe, but is to remain in that Tribe , as part of that Tribe's Lineage and we are told of Zelophechad's holy daughters who married into their own Tribe..
So, we have two Parshas, where the one starts talking of Vows and Oaths and the next Parsha, of the Journeys of the Children of Israel.
What lesson can we learn from these two mentions, in these two Sedras at this time of the Hebrew year, asking for Repentance as we make our way toward the day of Tisha B' Av.
The Laws of Vows and Oaths,reminds us to control what comes out of our Mouths and to keep our word and be honest, and never to be careless with what we say. The section of our Journeys, teaches us to make a physical accounting of the steps we take in our lives, Given by HaShem , and to plan our destiny very carefully, according and only to the Will of HaShem. It teaches us that every step we take in our life's Journey, must be toward HaShem, just as each step we took in the Wilderness then, led us closer and closer to HaShem and His Holy Land of Israel.
The fact that Moshe instructed first , the leaders of the Tribes, teaches us that we must be leaders and masters of our own mouth and actions . We must control our own destinies, by being good and kind and keeping on HaShem's Path and doing all His Mitzvos always, no matter what experiences we face in life .That must be the 'Masei,' - 'Journey' that we take, every day - every Hour - every Minute, every second we breathe, for as we know, each and every breath we take, is HaShem's Gift to us and must be used in His Honor and for Him ..
We are now in the Nine Days headed toward Tisha B' Av. Tisha B' Av started when the Spies came back with an evil report on the Land and they slandered the Land of Israel.That night the people cried for no reason, and ever since, this date throughout our history,this has has been a date to cry for our people.This has been the date of Pogroms, Final Solution, Spain signing an edict to remove us Jews from Spain, Cusades, Both our Holy Temples being destroyed,Chmielnitsky Massacres and many other tragedies. For this we mourn.This is what happens when going off the path and not listening to our Creator's Words, but making up our own Mind , Chas Ve Shalom and going our own way, to pointless physicalities, and not following HaShem's Torah. At this time of year for us Jews, may we take special note and an accounting of our own lives and look deeply into what HaShem Expects of us and learn to oblige.Learn to keep HaShem's Commandments always and to travel only toward HaShem and use our mouths only in the service of HaShem . And may this day of Tisha B' Av be turned around and become a day of Joy and Happiness in which we enter into Gan Eiden with Mashiach, for we are told that on this day of the greatest tragedy, at the End of Days, it will be turned around to a day of Blessings and Eternal Joy.
HaShem Gave us His Holy Torah of Light. We are to grasp onto It and not let It go.That must be our 'Journey' - 'Masei,' as part of the 'Tribes,' - 'Mattos' of Israel.We are to hold onto It and never ever let It go Chas Ve Shalom . So reach out with your Neshoma and Heart, and forever Journey to HaShem. And let our Mouths always speak the Sweet Words of HaShem and may we forever Journey within HaShem's Love.
I wish HaShem With Love, a Beautiful Special Shabbos Kodesh and Chodesh Tov with Love, and to all my fellow Yidden, a beautiful Shabbos Kodesh and Chodesh Tov with love.
Friday, 6 July 2018
Parashas Pinchas
Our Parsha this week is Parashas Pinchas. In last week's Parsha , we talked about the brave and heroic act that Pinchas performed in making peace between HaShem and His People, where he stopped the plague with a heroic act of slaying a leader of Simeon, and the daughter of an idol-worshipper ,who had immorally and with immodestly brought a foreign woman into his tent in the sight of HaShem and Moshe , when some of the people were caught being attached to an idol.
The Haftorah is in 1 Kings 18:46- 19:21 and talks of Eliyahu Ha Navi. Our Rabbis say that Pinchas was the Neshoma of Eliyahu , where Eliyahu is a man of peace that will return to usher in Mashiach and an Eternal era of peace, just as Pinchas brought peace between HaShem and His People Israel.
HaShem knew the people were angry with Pinchas and so HaShem gave him an his offspring,an Eternal Priesthood and HaShem's Protection. HaShem Gives Instructions to harass the Midianites. And the Midrash gives a wonderful account of this battle and how Pinchas was given a position in this fight and how He miraculously lifted up in the air.
After this, HaShem Asked Moshe and Elazar to take a census of the people and miraculously it was almost the same as the one after the Exodus,short only just under 2000.
The Levites too were counted.
Tzelafchad's holy daughters then approach to ask for their inheritance, seeing as it is usually given to the males, but there were no males in line to inherit and HaShem Orders that in such a case, it can be given to them.
HaShem then shows Moshe the Land of Israel and Moshe requests a worthy successor , which would be Yehoshuah .
The Tamid offerings are then discussed,then the Sabbath Musaf and Rosh Chodesh and then Pesach, Shavuos, Rosh HaShanah,Yom Kippur and Succos and Shemini Atzeres.
Our Parsha deals with one man who bravely stands up for HaShem and what is right.
It only takes one, to save a World. We saw this in Noach's time, where he stood against humanity for HaShem, and was "Righteous in his generation."
Avraham too, stood against his fellow generation, to bring HaShem to the people.
Each one of us, can be that one person that saves our World.Each one of us can stand up for what is right and teach the World around us to follow HaShem. Each one of us can be that one.
All we need to do is 'Chasah,' - 'Trust HaShem,as Pinchas did. We see this in the mention of Pinchas' name at the beginning of the Parsha.
If we look at the name of Pinchas in this Sedra, we notice that it is spelled with a small Hebrew letter 'Yud,' Our Rabbis say, in reference to the 'Yud' referring to HaShem, they say, it is made smaller in Pinchas' name, because, HaShem was so overwhelmed by Pinchas action, that HaShem figuratively Made Himself Smaller and Humbled Himself , in honor of Pinchas' action of bravery, and also awarded Pinchas with Eternal Peace, as Pinchas' action made peace between HaShem and His People Israel.
I noticed that if one looks at the name of Pinchas, the Yud,' sits in the middle of the letters 'Peh' and 'Nun,' where "Panim refers to The face of HaShem, thus, Pinchas put the Face of HaShem on his own face and HaShem shone through on love. The reason being, that Pinchas showed 'Trust' in HaShem.The word 'Trust,' as I mentioned in Hebrew, is 'Chasah,' which forms the second part of 'Pinchas' Name .
Thus, if we Trust in HaShem, HaShem and represent HaShem and His Laws, HaShem will be at one with us, and a part of His Shechinah will shine through in our faces, if we are a true representative of HaShem.
Each one of us can be that one, that saves humanity.All we need is Trust and Faith. Holy Emunah in HaShem.
With Love to HaShem, I wish HaShem with love, a Sweet Shabbos Kodesh with love and to my fellow Yidden, a sweet Shabbos Kodesh with love.
The Haftorah is in 1 Kings 18:46- 19:21 and talks of Eliyahu Ha Navi. Our Rabbis say that Pinchas was the Neshoma of Eliyahu , where Eliyahu is a man of peace that will return to usher in Mashiach and an Eternal era of peace, just as Pinchas brought peace between HaShem and His People Israel.
HaShem knew the people were angry with Pinchas and so HaShem gave him an his offspring,an Eternal Priesthood and HaShem's Protection. HaShem Gives Instructions to harass the Midianites. And the Midrash gives a wonderful account of this battle and how Pinchas was given a position in this fight and how He miraculously lifted up in the air.
After this, HaShem Asked Moshe and Elazar to take a census of the people and miraculously it was almost the same as the one after the Exodus,short only just under 2000.
The Levites too were counted.
Tzelafchad's holy daughters then approach to ask for their inheritance, seeing as it is usually given to the males, but there were no males in line to inherit and HaShem Orders that in such a case, it can be given to them.
HaShem then shows Moshe the Land of Israel and Moshe requests a worthy successor , which would be Yehoshuah .
The Tamid offerings are then discussed,then the Sabbath Musaf and Rosh Chodesh and then Pesach, Shavuos, Rosh HaShanah,Yom Kippur and Succos and Shemini Atzeres.
Our Parsha deals with one man who bravely stands up for HaShem and what is right.
It only takes one, to save a World. We saw this in Noach's time, where he stood against humanity for HaShem, and was "Righteous in his generation."
Avraham too, stood against his fellow generation, to bring HaShem to the people.
Each one of us, can be that one person that saves our World.Each one of us can stand up for what is right and teach the World around us to follow HaShem. Each one of us can be that one.
All we need to do is 'Chasah,' - 'Trust HaShem,as Pinchas did. We see this in the mention of Pinchas' name at the beginning of the Parsha.
If we look at the name of Pinchas in this Sedra, we notice that it is spelled with a small Hebrew letter 'Yud,' Our Rabbis say, in reference to the 'Yud' referring to HaShem, they say, it is made smaller in Pinchas' name, because, HaShem was so overwhelmed by Pinchas action, that HaShem figuratively Made Himself Smaller and Humbled Himself , in honor of Pinchas' action of bravery, and also awarded Pinchas with Eternal Peace, as Pinchas' action made peace between HaShem and His People Israel.
I noticed that if one looks at the name of Pinchas, the Yud,' sits in the middle of the letters 'Peh' and 'Nun,' where "Panim refers to The face of HaShem, thus, Pinchas put the Face of HaShem on his own face and HaShem shone through on love. The reason being, that Pinchas showed 'Trust' in HaShem.The word 'Trust,' as I mentioned in Hebrew, is 'Chasah,' which forms the second part of 'Pinchas' Name .
Thus, if we Trust in HaShem, HaShem and represent HaShem and His Laws, HaShem will be at one with us, and a part of His Shechinah will shine through in our faces, if we are a true representative of HaShem.
Each one of us can be that one, that saves humanity.All we need is Trust and Faith. Holy Emunah in HaShem.
With Love to HaShem, I wish HaShem with love, a Sweet Shabbos Kodesh with love and to my fellow Yidden, a sweet Shabbos Kodesh with love.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)