Divrei Mav

Parshas Balak 2018 Use It Or Lose It There are four categories of being in life: 1. Inanimate objects, 2. Plants, 3. Animals, and 4. Humans. However, what exactly sets us, mankind, above the plants and animals? What make us a higher life form than the ferocious lion or the speedy cheetah? Hashem entrusted only us with the capacity of intelligent speech. “Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.” (Numbers 22:2) Balak , King of Moab heard how the B’nai Yisrael were making their way through the desert to the land of Canaan (soon to be Israel). He became fearful that they would come to conquer his nation next. He sent messengers to summon Bilaam (of Pethor) who was a gentile prophet with potential equal to that of Moshe Rabbeinu . Bilaam was able to speak directly to Hashem . Hashem endowed him with a similar level of prophecy so the gentile nations could not complain  that G-d never gave them a leader like Moshe .   King Balak’s plan

Parshas Chukas 2018 Understanding The Parah Adumah Parshas Chukas contains some major events; the passing of both Ahron and Miriam (Moshe’s siblings), the battle with Sichon and Og , an attack against our immortal enemy Amalek , and the quintessential chōk ( mitzvah for which meaning is beyond human understanding); the Parah Adumah . To briefly quote the Charge of The Light Brigade, “Theirs is not to question why, theirs is but to do or die....” - this seems to have strong application in our parsha this week. Mitzvah observance can be easy to adhere to when we understand or feel good about the commandment (i.e. we shouldn’t murder or we should look after the needs of the sick). But they can also be tricky and difficult when we don’t understand them, i.e. the method of shechting (slaughtering) an animal in the traditional way may not seem to be the most humane way based on today's technology. There are different categories for the mitzvos : Mishpatim (laws) that have logi

Parshas Korach 2018 Who Is Rich? “Korach son Izhar...separated himself….” (Numbers 16:1). Korach was a Jewish leader and the wealthiest man amongst the B’nai Yisroel (children of Israel) but he made a critical error. It was so severe that the punishment for his mistake was actually created at the time of creation. Perkei Avos asks, “Who is rich? He who is happy with his lot.” (Avos 4:1) Korach was the foremost figure and leader in a full fledged rebellion against Moshe and Ahron . His mission was to undermine Moshe and Ahron and to create doubt as to whether this was a simple case of nepotism in hope of replacing Ahron as the Kohen Gadol (High Priest). Last week, at the very end of the parsha we received the mitzvah of tzitzis . Tzitzis is the obligation for every Jewish male to weave white strings on the corners of every four cornered garment he wears. The strings and their bindings serve as a constant reminder of the 613 mitzvos . In ancient times, th

Parshas Shelach 2018 Lesson In Bitachon The B’nai Yisroel (children of Israel) reached a place called Kadesh  en route to the promised land and from there we dispatched twelve individuals (one leader from each tribe) to scope out the land of Canaan (Israel) before entering. The meraglim (spies) managed to scout out Canaan checking out its populace, dwelling places, and soil. They returned to the people after forty days of spying, bringing with them abnormally large clusters of fruit as evidence to the robust fertility of the land. Ten of the meraglim however, claimed it would be impossible to conquer the land as it was too well fortified. The other two meraglim , Kalev (Caleb) and Yehoshua (Joshua) disassociated themselves from the other’s pessimistic report and encouraged the people to march on into the land as commanded by Hashem. Unfortunately, the B’nai Yisroel could only focus on the negative report and “freaked out”. An open rebellion broke out and Hashem was ang