Divrei Mav

There is a passuk in Parshas Bamidbar that says, “Si’u Es Rosh Kol Adas B’nai Yisroel…” “Count the heads” of the congregation of the children of Israel. Harav Ephraim Nisenbaum explains that this commandment to count was directed toward the B’nai Yisroel (Children of Israel). Meaning, Hashem made it the responsibility of the B’nai Yisroel to be counted by Moshe and Arhon. Later, we find a similar command with a subtle change in the loshon (wording) when Hashem commands Moshe to count, “Nasuh Es Rosh” “Count the heads“, of the Levi’im Levites. Back by the passuk of “Si’u” the commandment was given to Klal Yisroel (the congregation of Israel). Why did Hashem wanted the B’nai Yisroel counted? I believe we can understand it through a mushul or parable. There was once a shepherd who dearly loved his sheep. He was constantly caring for each and every sheep, making sure that each one was healthy and strong and so on. One night there was a terrible storm that caused much damage in the area

Parshas Bechukosai discusses the different b’rachos and k’lallos (blessings and curses) that were given by Hashem to the B’nai Yisroel (Jewish people) for keeping mitzvos (commandments) and not keeping them. The passuk (passage) says, “they will confess their sin and the sin of their ancestors for the treachery that they committed against Me (Hashem)… I will also walk contrary to them…” (26:40-41) Rabbi Ovadiah Figu (a.k.a. the Binah L’Ittim) asks, if the B’nai Yisroel confess their sin then why are they still going to be punished? He answers that the sages explain that even if a person confesses to his avairah (sin) as long as he repents he will be forgiven but he won’t be forgiven for just his confession. We have learned that there is a three/four step process of Tishuva (repentance). 1. Acknowledge the sin committed, 2. Regret the fact that the sin was committed, 3. Ask for forgiveness, and last 4. Try to avoid the sin in the future. Rabbi Ephraim Wachsman compares avairos (si

At the beginning of Parshas Behar Hashem addresses us with the mitzvah of Shmittah. The passuk (passage) states, “V’Shavsah HaAretz Shabbos” And the land shall observe a Sabbath rest. Every 7th year is called the Shmittah. It is a time when the Jews in Eretz Yisroel (Israel) must completely refrain from working in their fields. One of the many reasons for Shmittah is to strengthen one’s emuna (faith) in Hashem. The fruit that grows during the Shmittah year is unlike the other fruit of the year, these fruits must be handled carefully and in strict accordance with the Halacha regarding Shmittah and it’s produce. The commandment of Shmittah in the Torah is for one to treat his land as a “Sabbath rest” this means that Hashem wants us to give our land a rest for Him as the passuk concludes by saying “LaHashem” for Hashem. Rashi asks, why does the first passuk in Parshas Behar say “Hashem spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai saying” and then goes on to discuss the mitzvah of Shmittah, why Shmitt

We learn in this week’s Parsha, about many of the different chaggim (Jewish holidays). Pesach is one of those holidays. Pesach or Passover, is celebrated on the fourteenth day of Nisson (NEE-SAN) during the spring. The Torah calls Pesach, “Chag HaMatzos” The festival of matzos. We are commanded on Pesach to eat matzos and not to do any form of melacha (work which is normally forbidden on Shabbos) with the exception of cooking and carrying. After Pesach the Torah talks about the which is an offering consisting of only barley which was brought by every Jew on the second day of Pesach when they left Mitzrayim (Egypt). HaRav Ephraim Nisenbaum explains, the reason why barely is used is because when the B’nai Yisroel left Egypt they were at the level of wild animals and barley is a food that animals eat. After they brought the Korban Omer they were commanded to count the days until Shavuos (which would take place at Har Sinai). Once they arrived at Har Sinai they were obligated to bring a