Divrei Mav

Parshas Behar 2018 Take A Step Back Torah commentaries will often take a step back from the details of a section and compare the section itself to other sections in the Torah . They will try and understand why each sub- parsha was placed where it is to learn more and get a better idea of the bigger picture. The name of the parsha this week is Behar . Behar translates to “on the mountain (Sinai)”. Many mitzvos (commandments) were taught by Hashem at Har Sinai and one of those mitzvos is the shemittah year. The shemittah year, is a one in every seventh year “rest” from farm-related work. The passuk states, “ Six years you may sow your field…. but in the seventh year the land shall have a sabbath of complete rest….” ( Leviticus 25:3-4). Just like we have a Shabbos at the end of every seven days and honor it by refraining from work, Hashem ordained a sabbatical year at the end of every seven years where we are forbidden to work the fields. In this year of ...

Parshas Ki Sisa 2018 Getting Motivated Ever feel like you’re just not into it? You just CAN’T get inspired or motivated? Let me tell you why this is. Moshe after spending forty days and forty nights on Har Sinai (Mount Sinai) and speaking directly to G-d, descended only to find his people dancing and singing around an idol.  At that very moment, the luchos (tablets) fell from his hands and broke. Interestingly, there is an opinion that our biblical leaders were not only spiritual giants, but they were also something that we call a “ gibur chayil ” physical specimen. They had a very large presence, usually tall and muscle-bound individuals.  If so, how is it possible that Moshe could drop the luchos ? Granted they were made of solid stone and he had been fasting for forty days but still we’re talking about THE greatest leader of our people, a very strong person!? Medrish Tanchuma tells us exactly what happened. Moshe received the tra...

Parshas Mishpatim Attaining the Title, “Chosen People” What does it take to be the best at something? What brings a person or people to success? To be the best, it obviously takes a number of attributes. It requires a special kind of desire to achieve your goal. It takes an unquenchable thirst for success and drive for perfection. To earn the title as “the best” you have to want it more than you want anything else - like an asthmatic wants air. I know a wrestling Coach who agrees that all that is very important but states emphatically, being the best requires first and foremost, "what are you willing to do for it? It's all about what you're willing to DO!" We can say, as a unit, our people were/are “the best” of all G-d's children. We earned the spot in the world as G-d’s “chosen people”.   The Torah this week discusses Mishpatim, (logical) laws that were given to the people for the very first time. These laws are extensive, cover a broad spect...