Divrei Mav

Parshas Tzav 2018 Hidden Strengths Often times, Hashem gave us hidden qualities or abilities that need our actions to bring them out. We can find inner strengths that we never knew about and use them in time of need. “Moshe said to the community: “This procedure is what G-d commanded [me] to do.” (Leviticus 8:5) Ahron and his sons were inaugurated as the kohanim (priests). Rashi says, when Hashem told Moshe to “ take Ahron ” He was actually telling Moshe that he had to persuade Ahron (with words) to take on the position as Kohain Gadol . Ahron felt unworthy. It was Moshe’s job to now convince his brother. The entire nation witnessed their inauguration. Ramban explains that Hashem specifically wanted it this way; that the whole nation watch as Ahron and his sons assume their roles as kohanim . The process included, cleansing from the water of the kior (tabernacle’s water basin), donning the priestly garments, anointing with oil, and bringing k...

Parshas Pekudei 2018 Mishkan and The HaMikdash Opening with a detailed list of all the gold, silver, and copper donated to the  Mishkan ,  Parshas Pekudei  elaborates on  Moshe’s  efforts to count and supervise the donations himself. This would ensure that everyone's donations were accounted for and to show the utmost respect for this sacred project. The  Mishkan  was quite remarkable. Serving as the place for the people to connect with their Creator in the wilderness.  Hashem’s shechina  (divine presence) descended from the Heavens and rested in the  Mishkan . The  Mishkan  was only meant as a temporary “temple” while they sojourned. Sforno  points out the  Mishkan  and its parts were so lofty spiritually, they remained intact for years and years. Many of those years consisted of wars and uprisings. Yet the  Mishkan  remained standing, impervious to physical threats.  In fact...

Parshas Vayakhel 2018 Giving for Hashem The two parshios ( Torah portions) of Vayakhel and Pekudei parallel those of Terumah and Tetzaveh . Terumah and Tetzaveh relay Hashem’s instruction for the building of the Mishkan and the sewing of the bigdei kahuna (priestly garments), while Vayakhel and Pekudei enlighten us on how the actual construction process went down. The  Mishkan (Tabernacle) and all its vessels required a lot of precious material. Each person donated what he could for the construction project. As it says,  “Every man whose heart inspired him came; and everyone whose spirit motivated him brought the portion of Hashem for the work of the Tent of Meeting, for all its labor and for the sacred vestments.”  ( Shemos  35:21) However, it wasn’t the physical material  Hashem  wanted. He wanted their sincere efforts towards the structure where His Holy Presence could dwell. Much stress is placed on the fact that these...

Parshas Terumah 2018 Equal Opportunities for Greatness   The way we see it, life isn’t fair. We’ve all heard that before. It never was, and it never will be. There are successful people who run the world and others who just barely get by. Everyone wants to be successful, but Hashem doesn’t give everyone the same opportunity to reach greatness in his/her lifetime. Or does He? The parshios (plural for parsha) of Terumah and Tetzaveh are somewhat infamous. It’s monotonous and tedious as each of these parshios discuss the construction of the mishkan (tabernacle), its holy articles, and priestly vestments in great length. We receive a detailed accounting of everything from the temple itself, to the very pegs in each board. The weave of every garment and the measurements of every plank are all recorded in these parshios . Perkei Avos (Chapters of Our Fathers) mentions a concept of three figurative crowns one can wear on a spiritual plateau.  1. “ Kesser Torah”...