Divrei Mav

Pesach 2018 R idding Ourselves of Chametz The laws of Pesach (Passover) are more stringent than all the other holidays. Pesach has mitzvos (Torah commandments) not just on the holiday, but before and afterwards as well. Getting rid of the chametz (goods containing leaven) is one of these mitzvos . As it says, “ Matzos shall be eaten throughout the seven day period; no chametz may be seen in your possession…. ” ( Shemos 13:7) “ Pesach Cleaning”, not to be confused with “Spring Cleaning” can also be very tedious in preparation for Pesach . One is required to clean every space in his home where food may have gone to make sure that no chametz can be found in his possession on Pesach . Once the house is cleaned, any remaining products containing leaven are burned and/or sold (to a non-Jew) for the course of the holiday and then returned afterwards. Thereby ensuring a chametz- free environment. Pre- Pesach amidst the Jewish community can be quite hectic. As we know, cl...

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 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 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 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 Tetzaveh 2018 Level Up! Video games don't always come with instructions on how to win. Maybe a little booklet on how to set up your game or troubleshoot it but never on how to actually win. If you want to you might be able to find a “cheat-book” online or at the library. Generally, you have to figure it out on your own. Life, you could say is like this too. We were put here to accomplish and grow, to advance from one level to the next. We have to avoid hazards and overcome obstacles. However, we only have one life and we can't afford to blow it! The kohanim (priests) were instructed to have their garments made for use in the mishkan (tabernacle) and then later in the Beis HaMikdash (temple). These were very special garments of particular materials and designs. Hashem had Moshe speak to and instruct the artisans himself. This was because, as the Ramban  (Nachmanadies) points out, only Moshe...

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”...

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...

Parshas Yisro A Man of Truth “And Yisro heard…” ( Shemos 18: 1) Allow me to introduce you to a man who is truly remarkable. This man is one of dignity and esteem, a minister and former adviser to the world authority, and a man of justice and truth. Our eventful parsha this week was named in his sake. This man’s name is “ Yisro” .  Yisro was not only a prominent figure politically, he was also the father-in-law to our very own Moshe Rabbeinu . What was so special about Yisro that he has an entire portion of the Torah in his namesake? But not just any portion but the very segment that relays the B’nai Yisroel receiving the Torah from Hashem ? As noted above, Yisro was a man of truth. He experimented with every religion and belief in his time, desperately searching for life’s meaning and purpose. He tried to serve the luminaries, constellations, and every inanimate object that was at one time called, “G-d”. Unfulfilled, time and time again. Yet his se...