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Posts Tagged ‘avodas Hashem’

Parshos Va’Yakhel-Pekudei: The Mishkan Was Built With These Two Words.

Posted in Hadracha, Hashkafa, Parshas Hashavua, Torah, tagged , , , , , , on March 6, 2011 | 1 Comment »

“Thank You”.

Yes indeed, “Thank You”.

These Parshos reiterate and enumerate the building of the Mishkan and the manufacturing of the Bigdei Kehunah.

In Parshas Pekudei, when Bnai Yisroel completed the building of the Mishkan and Bigdei Kehunah, the Posuk tells us: “Va’Yi’re Moshe Es Kol Ha’melochoh Ve’Heenai Osuh Oy’soh Ka’Asher Tzee’voh Hashem Keyn Osuh, Va’Yevoreich Osum Moshe“. (39, 43).

Rashi on  Va’Yevoreich Osum Moshe says:  Omar Lo’Hem: Yehi Rotzon She’Tishreh Schechinah Be’Ma’aseh Ye’deichem.

Asks Rav Shimshon Pincus, ZT”L, what reason was there for Moshe Rabbeinu to bless Bnai Yisroel for completing the building of the Mishkan? After all, they were commanded to carry out the Tzeevui Hashem; for them to have not done so would have been a grave Aveirah resulting in severe punishment.

Further, says Rav Pincus, we see in Parshas Shemini, after Moshe and Ahron completed the cycle with the Avodas Hakorbonos to inaugurate the Mishkan, the Posuk tells us that they again blessed Bnei Yisroel with the very same Brocho: “Va’Yovoh Moshe Ve’Aharon El Ohel Moed Va’Yeitzu Va’Yevorchu Es Ho’ohm”.  And says Rashi, the Brocho was the same: “Yehi Rotzon She’Tishreh Schechinah Be’Ma’aseh Ye’deychem”.

Why did Bnei Yisroel merit to receive this Brocho twice? Once after they had completed their own hishtadlus in building the Mishkan, and second,- after Moshe and Aharon followed up by completing their own Avodas Ha’Mishkan?  What connection did Moshe and Aharaon’s own Shimush Hamishkan have to do with Bnai Yisroel?

Says Rav Pincus, indeed all of this is intertwined and connected; Moshe and Ahahron’s Avodas Hamishkan would not have been possible without the foundational work done by Bnai Yisroel.

We therefore learn a most valuable lesson in Hakoras Hatov from this: In the same way we show Hakoras Hatov to Hashem by making a Brocho before and a Brocho after-for all the Chasodim He does for us; so too are we required to show Hakoras Hatov to those of our friends, family, and work colleagues that do us a favor by saying “Thank You” twice: Once before the favor is done and then after the favor has been completed. Chazal tells us that failure to acknowledge the good done for us by our friends, family, and acquaintences will ultimately lead to deny and ignore the good Hashem does for us.

Showing Hakoras Hatov before and after receiving a Chesed is the foundation of Yahadus and brings Sholom (Peace), Satisfaction, and Happiness.

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Parshas Ki Sisah: What’s In Your Wallet?

Posted in Chinuch, Hadracha, Hashkafa, Parshas Hashavua, Torah, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 18, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

A popular Ad/Commercial playing nowadays in the secular media is from a well-known Bank that touts the benefits of owning their credit card and all of the wonderful products and services you can purchase with it; their hook tag line is the question, “What’s in Your Wallet”.  It’s certainly a catchy phrase designed to increase a consumer’s conspicuous consumption; but lest the Madison Avenue advertising company responsible for this campaign preen for kudos, be it known that this weeks Parsha was first to pose and answer this question from the perspective of  Torah Hadracha and Hashkafa.

Bnai Yisroel were commanded to give a Ma’chatzis Ha’Shekel for the purpose of carrying out their Census.

The Posuk tells us: “Zeh Yitnu Kol Hoh’Oveir Al Hapekudim Ma’chatzis Ha’Shekel Be’Shekel Hakodesh…Lo’seis Es Terumas Hashem Le’Chapear Al Nafshoseichem“.

Harav Shimshon Pincus, ZT”L poses three questions on this Posuk:

1.  What is the Torah’s message that this small amount of a half shekel had and has the power to atone and save one’s Nefesh and to prolong life and the quality of it?

2.  Why does the Torah describe the Macahtzis Ha’Shekel as “Shekel Hakodesh”?

3. Why does Hashem emphasize  a specificity in the coin type of Machatsis Ha’Shekel with “Zeh Yitnu”?

Rav Pincus brings the Rashi; “Zeh Yitnu”- Heroh Hakodesh Boruch Hu L’Moshe Ke’min Matbeyah Shel Eish U’Mishkoloh Ma’chatsis Ha’Shekel, Ve’Omer Lo: Ko’Zeh Yitnu”.

The Torah’s message, says Rav Pincus, is that our Tzedakah should be with Matbeiyos Shel Eish to be given with a bren, with enthusiasm, with a Simchas Ha’Chaim, and with an empathy and kind words to and for the recipient; “Ko’zeh Yitnu”.  The characteristic of Eish is that it cleanses and does not allow impurities and foreign particles to enter the mix.

And the sources of our monies as well as its expenditures must be “Shekel Ha’Kodesh”; the power of Tzedakah and hekdesh of money is not only in the support of Torah, Chessed organizations, and needy individuals but also as much in the avoidance of that which is antithetical to Torah values and Hashkafah. Such negative expenditures, says Rav Pincus, diminish ones Beis Mikdash Me’At and devalues his “Shekel Ha’Kodesh.

The Torah’s message to us, say Harav Pincus, is that Kesef Yehudi is not a Mah Be’Kach but are “Matbeiyos Shel Aish” and we therefore have a Choiv Kodesh to preserve, protect, and use  it Be’Kedusha; “Ve’Oz YeShamshu Le’Chapear al Nafshoseinu, Ve’Yoveeyu Berochos Merubos El Boteinu”.

“Zeh Yitnu”

“What’s in your wallet”?

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Parshas Yisro: Can We See A Sound? Can We Touch Emunah?

Posted in Chinuch, Hadracha, Hashkafa, Parshas Hashavua, Prayer, Shabboss, Torah, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on January 20, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

It appears from this weeks Parsha that indeed we can.

At Har Sinai the Posuk tells us: Ve’Chol Ha’Om Royen Es Hakolos V’Es Halapeydim. Rashi Z”L explains that Bnei Yisroel  ‘Roiyen Es Hanishma”, they saw the sounds- that which is heard- the Aseres Hadibros emanating from Hakodesh Boruch Hu and Moshe Rabbeinu.

The Sfas Emes Z”L asks how is this possible, how can we see a sound?

Answers the Sfas Emes that to appreciate this, we need to understand the differing characteristics of seeing and hearing.

When one sees an object, the object and stimulus remains external to the viewer and is not incorporated within the person.

On the other hand, when one hears a sound, it is internalized and becomes one with the person.

At Har Sinai, says the Sfas Emes, when Hashem said the words  “Ohnochi Hashem Elokecho”  Bnai Yisroel saw their shoresh chiyuso and as a part of their ‘Nishmas Hashem’ that resides within every Jewish soul, the Mahus of every Jew, the “Pintele Yid”. Their response was “Na’aseh, Ve’Nishmah!”, the external actions required to fulfill Mitzvos became internalized and woven into the Neshamah of every Yid.

How is Emunah acquired asks Harav Gamiliel HaKohen Rabinowitz, Shlita. By constantly speaking of Emunah; the external of speech will internalize and make it a part of us. Rav Gamliel brings the Posuk:

“He’Emanti Key Adahber Le’ma-an Tesaper B’oznei Bincho U’ben Bincho Es Ahsher His’ahlalti Be’Mitzrayim Ve’Es Ohsosei Ahsher Samti Bom Vee’Datem Key Ani Hashem.”

Emunah is strengthened by constantly speaking of it, “He’Emanti Key Adahber…” to the point where it becomes part of you.

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Parshas Bo: Why Did Hashem Orchestrate 10 Makkos?

Posted in Hadracha, Hashkafa, Parshas Hashavua, Torah, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on January 7, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

Asks Rav Shimshon Pincus Z”L and not go directly to Makkos Bechoros?

The first nine Makkos brought by Moshe Rabbeinu against Pharaoh and the Mitzriyim did not accomplish their goal of  Bnai Yisroel being sent out of Mitzrayim. Pharaoh maintained his extreme stubborness throughout until Hashem B’Kevodo, U’Vatzmo;  Ani V’Lo Malach,  Ani V’Lo Sorof, took Bnei Yisroel out of Mitzrayim.

Says Rav Pincus, Hashem is teaching us the proper Seder Hanhagah we are to follow in our Avodas Hashem and in strengthening our Emunah, Bitachon, and Tefillah: It is incumbent upon us to make our Hishtadlus and effort to our fullest capabilities and then will Hakodesh Boruch Hu bring the Yeshuas.

The Mesillas Yeshorim in this regard tells us that ” Techiloso Histadlus, V’Sofo Matanah”.  And the Gemoroh in Maseches Yuma ( 39 A)  tells us: “Adom Mekadesh Atzmo M’At, Mekadshim Oso Harbeh, Milmatah-Mekadshim Oso Milmalah”.

Hashem seeks only that we put forth our earnest efforts and He will do the rest. In Yiddish it’s phrased this way: Mir Darfen Tohn, Und der Aibeshter Vet Auf-Tohn. We must do, and Hashem will bring us to accomplishment.

Gut Shabbos.

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Catch The Moment In Your Life!

Posted in Hadracha, tagged , , , on December 24, 2009 | 2 Comments »

All of us have moments in our lives, where we are suddenly hit with a lighting bolt of spiritual inspiration. We become enthused and excited.

Sometimes, the actual trigger is the result of a happy or sad encounter or episode. In all instances however, these moments are precious gifts given to us by Hashem, in order to arouse us from our slumber so that we may utilize them as a springboard for achieving greatness! If we do not utilize these moments properly, it is like taking something precious and simply throwing it in the mud.

How do we take advantage of these moments?

The Pasuk tells us “Im tairu es ha’ahava, ad shetechpatz” – Chazzal exchange the word “tairu” for the word “te’oreru” – to be inspired, and read the pasuk as follows: “Im te’oriru es ha’ahava, ad shetchpatz” – If you become inspired with love for Hashem – then, “ad shetechpatz” – (the word “techpatz” comes from the lashon “chefetz” – item) turn it into something concrete; something tangible.

This is a call to us not to let these moments slip away and instead to utilize them as a stepping stone to further achievement and to greatness! Make a commitment to become a better Jew, do a Mitzva, say a Prayer, do a Chessed, etc.

Catch the moment in your life, since ultimately, these are the moments that make your life!

<Heard From Rav Shimshon Pincus>

(Rav Chatzkel Levenstein Zatzal, the famous Mirrer Mashgiach, grew up in his younger years under difficult circumstances. This forced him to go to work at a very young age, where he subsided on a meager living working long hours. Every Friday, Rav Chatzkel would receive his stipend for the entire week. One Erev Shabboss, when Rav Chtazkel was in the Mikvah, somebody reached into his pants hanging on the hook and robbed him of his entire weeks pay! Upon exiting the Mikva, Rav Chatzkel soon realized that he had been robbed of his entire income for the week. Needless to say, he was devastated.

Here came one of those precious moments, which Rav Shimshon Pincus referred to above.

Rav Chatzkel sat down and quickly made a Cheshbon Hanefesh – he searched his soul – and he thought to himself; see how one individual has managed to rob me of an entire week of my life – let alone a weeks worth of income! How can such a thing be? How can I allow myself to be in a situation where my life is so precariously influenced by an outside element beyond my control?

Upon further reflection, Rav Chatzkel came to the realization that there is indeed one lofty pursuit and career path which can NEVER be taken away from an individual - and that is the pursuit of holiness and spirituality! It was then that Rav Chatzkel made the decision to drop everyhting and to immerse himself completely into the sea of the Torah and spirituality!

Rav Chatzkel was able to catch and capitalize on this crucial moment in his life and the rest is history! His beautiful legacy lives on and on until the coming of Mashiach.

What a lesson for all of us! We are constantly given these precious moments and cues, let us learn how to make the best of them!

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