Divrei Mav

Parshas Vayikra 2018 Relating To Animal Sacrifices The book of  Vayikra  (Leviticus) deals primarily with the parameters for the relationship between  Hashem  and His nation as well as each individual. Much of this third  sefer  (book) is devoted to explaining the  korbanos  (animal sacrifices). The  korbanos  (offerings) consisted of four broad categories;  Olah  (elevation offering),  Chatos  (sin offering),  Shlamim  (peace offering) and Asham  (guilt offering). Each  korban  (sacrifice) serves a different purpose throughout the year. Some were brought with the high holidays and others with  YomimTovim  or  Shabbos . All this was an active and integral part of Jewish life. If a man sinned, his atonement was realized when he offered a  korban  and did proper  teshuva  (repentance). The atonement came through experiencing the animals’ dem...

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 Vayechi 2017 The Blessing in Yaakov’s Death This week’s  parsha  relays the events that transpired during the passing of our forefather  Yaakov  (Jacob).  Yaakov  prior to his death gave each of his sons a special blessing which would provide a foreshadowing of their makeup as a Tribe in the Nation. Only after he concluded bestowing each blessing did  Yaakov  pass. The  Torah  memorializes,  “When Yaakov finished instructing his sons, he drew his feet onto the bed; he expired and was gathered to his people.”    ( Genesis  49:33) The  gemora  (Talmud) in tractate  Taanis  (5b) says , “Our father Yaakov did not die.”  Interestingly, there is an opinion in the  gemora  that understands  Yaakov’s  “death” to be more figurative than literal. Which is peculiar, for the  Torah   does  mention how  Yaakov  was mourned for, embalme...

Chanukah Lights Inspiration from Within The  Chanukah  candles inspire and enlighten their observer. In fact, this is their job. We light the candles to commemorate the awesome miracles of  Chanukah  and to feel the same sense of awe and appreciation we had at the time of the miracles - to some degree. The  gemora  (Talmud) in tractate  Shabbos  (21b) teaches, the  Chanukah  menorah should be placed  outside  the doorway to one’s home. This is to publicize the miracles of  Chanukah *, ( Rashi  -early commentator). The  gemora  continues, if one lives on a second floor (has no door to the outside) or if there is a “danger” present, he should place the  menorah  indoors by a window that faces the street. If he has no such window, then he should place it by any door that he has. The “danger” the  gemora  is referring to, is a time in history when the gentiles outlawed the Jew...