Divrei Mav

Parshas Vayechi 2018 Achieving Spiritual Perfection “Nobody’s perfect,” True. However, practice makes perfect, right? “When I came from Padan, my wife died with me.” (Genesis 48:7) Rashi explains Yaakov buried his wife Rochel in Beis Lechem rather than in the Cave of Machpelah with the other matriarchs. This was Hashem’s command so she should be able to help her children when they’re crying and begging Hashem for mercy by serving as an advocate for them in Shamayim (Heaven). Specifically during the period of the exile of Nebuchadnezzar. The Zohar reveals to us, Leah who cried to marry Yaakov , was granted the merit of being buried with him for eternity. While her sister Rochel who cried for her children (to have them), was buried on the road in Beis Lechem a place where she could cry for them. As it says, “ Rochel crying over her children.” (Jeremiah 31:14) When the pasuk says, “ died with me ” the Hebrew word can also be translated to mean “ die on my behalf ”.

Parshas Vayigash 2018 Showing Our Fear Yaakov , was inconsolable after losing his dearest son Yosef . Twenty two painful years without his son and now with the paralyzing thought of possibly losing his second most beloved child Binyamin hanging in the air, his sons finally returned from Egypt with news. They not only reported Binyamin's safety but they told him that Yosef was ALIVE and the ruler of Egypt! Although it took some convincing, Yaakov Avinu was ecstatic to learn that Yosef was indeed still alive. He was quite literally overwhelmed by the news and Rashi with other leading commentators explain, Yaakov actually suffered a cardiac arrest and needed revival. Interestingly, the Midrash says after Yaakov heard the news (and recovered) he decided to go down to Egypt to see his son and then return back to Eretz Canaan (Israel). As it says, “And Yaakov said in his heart: I will go and see my son, whether the fear of his G-d is still in his heart….” ( Sefer

Chanukah 2018 - Candles & Souls Mav’s Speech 12.8.2018 On the first night of Chanukah , how manys candles do we light? One . Just one small flame. A flame so small, you can barely notice it in the room. Just one small, steady, little flame. On the second night of Chanukah , how many candles do we light? Two . Just one more than the night before. Again, hardly noticeable in the room, but there nonetheless. The Yid (Jewish person) has inside him or herself what's called a neshamah , or a soul. This is a spiritual, inner presence of pure divine origin that gets nurtured when we pray to G-d and learn and observe His Torah and mitzvos . Let’s face it. We are busy people. We have a lot going on in our day to day routines. And living in the 21st century of technology and fast pace doesn't help much. In the average day we can all too easily be overwhelmed with davening, work, clients, employees, family obligations, friends, commitments, ch

Parshas Miketz 2018 Playing Favorites As a child, were you the favorite or was one of your siblings? The Torah warns us that favoriting a child is not such a good thing. Yaakov Avinu (Jacob) loved Yosef (Josef) most of all his children. Yosef had a very special place in Yaakov’s heart. Yosef was his “ ben zekuna” (child of his old age). Yosef was born to Yaakov when Yaakov was already an elderly man. As we have discussed, Yaakov's father-in-law, Lavan made Yaakov jump through hoops before he finally gave up his younger daughter Rochel (Rachel) to him in marriage. After they finally married he was confronted with the unfortunate reality of her being unable to conceive. Only by a miracle was she able to give birth and she eventually did. The child was Yosef and he immediately became Yaakov's favorite child. Yaakov gave Yosef a beautiful colorful coat and expressed his love openly in many ways. Yosef’s brothers were not only jealous of Yosef , they reached the point w