In this week's Torah portion, Pinchas, an incident with the five daughters of Tzelafchad is related. Tzelafchad, a Jew who died in the desert, had no sons. Since sons, and not daughters, were entitled to an inheritance, the daughters of Tzelafchad were not permitted a portion in the Holy Land.
The daughters of Tzelafchad, who were all known to be righteous women, objected to the thought that their family would not have a part in the Land of Israel. They went before Moses who presented the case to G-d. G-d said to Moses, "The daughters of Tzelafchad have a just claim. Give them a hereditary portion of land alongside their father's brothers."
We see here the Jewish woman's love for the Holy Land. The task the daughters of Tzelafchad had set for themselves was not easy. They had to approach various judges, each one referring the matter to higher authorities, until it was finally brought to Moses, himself. Tzelafchad's daughters were willing to try to overcome such a seemingly impossible obstacle to receive their portion.
This incident can serve as a lesson to each one of us in our daily lives, too. G-d demands that we conduct our lives according to certain guidelines. Yet at the same time, He created and organized the universe in such a way that it seems to preclude proper fulfillment of our obligation of Torah study and performance of mitzvot.
But, with the right approach, we too, can merit a portion in our rightful inheritance. We must be willing to try to overcome the seemingly "impossible" obstacles, just as Tzelafchad's daughters did. If we undertake it with the same attitude of love as Tzelafchad's daughters, then certainly we will achieve our goal.
Candle lighting time for L.A. is 7:50 pm.
Shabbat Shalom!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Parshas Pinchas - we are given a spiritual direction
This week's Torah portion, Pinchas, describes the apportionment of the Land of Israel. The Torah states, "Through the lot shall the land be divided." The Talmud notes that the process by which the lots were drawn was neither arbitrary nor random; the miraculous breastplate of the High Priest, guided the outcome. Rashi explains that the lot itself spoke and announced the result. In other words, the division of the soon-to-be conquered Land of Israel was determined by G-d Himself.
The inheritance of the physical portion of land is symbolic of the spiritual inheritance of every Jew with which he is required to fulfill his individual mission in life. Just as each of the Twelve Tribes was given a specific portion of land to live in and cultivate, every Jew is allotted his own spiritual realm to perfect.
Although a person might think he is free to choose his own spiritual portion, following whichever path in the service of G-d that appeals to his nature, the Torah teaches that this is not a matter of free will or logic, but is ordained by G-d.
A person cannot choose his own spiritual bent; it is an integral part of his individual spiritual makeup. But how does one determine exactly which mitzvot are especially relevant to him? By objectively ascertaining those which he finds the hardest to do!
A person may safely assume that a given direction is his "inheritance" whenever the path seems strewn with obstacles and hindrances. In fact, the more important the mitzva, the harder the Evil Inclination tries to dissuade the person.
A lack of interest in a particular facet of Torah study or indifference to a certain mitzva indicates that it is precisely in these areas that special efforts must be made. In the merit of this effort, G-d grants the individual success in all other areas of his life as well.
The inheritance of the physical portion of land is symbolic of the spiritual inheritance of every Jew with which he is required to fulfill his individual mission in life. Just as each of the Twelve Tribes was given a specific portion of land to live in and cultivate, every Jew is allotted his own spiritual realm to perfect.
Although a person might think he is free to choose his own spiritual portion, following whichever path in the service of G-d that appeals to his nature, the Torah teaches that this is not a matter of free will or logic, but is ordained by G-d.
A person cannot choose his own spiritual bent; it is an integral part of his individual spiritual makeup. But how does one determine exactly which mitzvot are especially relevant to him? By objectively ascertaining those which he finds the hardest to do!
A person may safely assume that a given direction is his "inheritance" whenever the path seems strewn with obstacles and hindrances. In fact, the more important the mitzva, the harder the Evil Inclination tries to dissuade the person.
A lack of interest in a particular facet of Torah study or indifference to a certain mitzva indicates that it is precisely in these areas that special efforts must be made. In the merit of this effort, G-d grants the individual success in all other areas of his life as well.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Use our time wisely
A time-management professional is brought into a busy corporation for a lecture.
He fills a jar with stones until no more fit in. "Is this jar full?" he asks the audience. All heads nod in concurrence.
The speaker takes out a sack of pebbles and pours them into the jar. He asks the audience again, "Is now this jar full?" A few heads vigorously nod in agreement while others express uncertainty.
The speaker then lifts a bag of sand and begins pouring it into the jar. He continues to pour the sand until the jar can contain no more. "Now is the jar full?" he asks.
Nearly everyone is now certain that the jar is finally filled.
Finally, the speaker pulls out a bottle of water and slowly pours the water into the jar. "Now is this jar full?" asks the speaker. The participants all shake their heads in agreement.
"We learn from this", says the lecturer, "that first we must schedule into our days that which is most essential and significant. Afterwards, we do the 'important' matters. Then, We follow that up by adding to our schedules matters of lesser importance. And only after we have incorporated all of these into our days and weeks do we fill up the rest of our time with the inconsequential matters."
We are now in the midst of the three-week period of mourning for the destruction of the Holy Temples.. For about 2000 years we have been praying for the rebuilding of the Holy Temple, the in gathering of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel, and Moshiach. The hope and prayers for the Redemption have always been part of the personal and collective jar of the Jewish people.
Before our jars get packed with time-wasters and energy-sappers, let's fill them with simple acts of goodness, dignified acts of kindness and the foundation stones of Torah study and mitzva observance. Let's increase in acts of goodness and kindness, in Torah study and in holy deeds, as a preparation for the era that will be utterly good, kind and holy for the Jewish people and the world.
Wishing you all a very fulfilling day.
He fills a jar with stones until no more fit in. "Is this jar full?" he asks the audience. All heads nod in concurrence.
The speaker takes out a sack of pebbles and pours them into the jar. He asks the audience again, "Is now this jar full?" A few heads vigorously nod in agreement while others express uncertainty.
The speaker then lifts a bag of sand and begins pouring it into the jar. He continues to pour the sand until the jar can contain no more. "Now is the jar full?" he asks.
Nearly everyone is now certain that the jar is finally filled.
Finally, the speaker pulls out a bottle of water and slowly pours the water into the jar. "Now is this jar full?" asks the speaker. The participants all shake their heads in agreement.
"We learn from this", says the lecturer, "that first we must schedule into our days that which is most essential and significant. Afterwards, we do the 'important' matters. Then, We follow that up by adding to our schedules matters of lesser importance. And only after we have incorporated all of these into our days and weeks do we fill up the rest of our time with the inconsequential matters."
We are now in the midst of the three-week period of mourning for the destruction of the Holy Temples.. For about 2000 years we have been praying for the rebuilding of the Holy Temple, the in gathering of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel, and Moshiach. The hope and prayers for the Redemption have always been part of the personal and collective jar of the Jewish people.
Before our jars get packed with time-wasters and energy-sappers, let's fill them with simple acts of goodness, dignified acts of kindness and the foundation stones of Torah study and mitzva observance. Let's increase in acts of goodness and kindness, in Torah study and in holy deeds, as a preparation for the era that will be utterly good, kind and holy for the Jewish people and the world.
Wishing you all a very fulfilling day.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
17th of TAMMUZ
Today is the fast day of the 17th of Tammuz,it is the start of a three week mourning period for the destruction of Jerusalem and the two Holy Temples. Abstaining from food and drink is the external element of a fast day. A fast day is an auspicious day, a day when G‑d is accessible, waiting for us to repent. Now that we are so very near to the final Redemption when “these days will be transformed into gladness, rejoicing and festivals” it is time to emphasize the truer, deeper and essential aspect of this period, that they are part of the positive “building” of the Third Beit Hamikdash.
As the Rebbe describes it: The Three Weeks are compared to a locked treasure chest filled with gems and pearls. The key to the chest has been given to every Jew. We need merely place the key inside the lock and open the chest, to reveal the immense treasure hidden within. It is entirely dependent upon us to have the Three Weeks be a desirable, positive experience.
Unlocking the world's treasure is achieved when we turn this world into a dwelling for G-d. How? By revealing the G-dliness, the “treasure” hidden within.
We should begin by unlocking our true selves – utilizing every physical function,which seems like it's G-dliness is concealed, such as eating, for example, for the sake of Heaven as it says, “In all your ways know Him -G -d."
Today is a day when we are empowered to fix the cause of that destruction, so that our long exile will be ended and we will find ourselves living in messianic times, may that be very soon.
The fast in LA ends at 8:45 pm.
Wishing you an easy fast and may this day be transformed into gladness.
As the Rebbe describes it: The Three Weeks are compared to a locked treasure chest filled with gems and pearls. The key to the chest has been given to every Jew. We need merely place the key inside the lock and open the chest, to reveal the immense treasure hidden within. It is entirely dependent upon us to have the Three Weeks be a desirable, positive experience.
Unlocking the world's treasure is achieved when we turn this world into a dwelling for G-d. How? By revealing the G-dliness, the “treasure” hidden within.
We should begin by unlocking our true selves – utilizing every physical function,which seems like it's G-dliness is concealed, such as eating, for example, for the sake of Heaven as it says, “In all your ways know Him -G -d."
Today is a day when we are empowered to fix the cause of that destruction, so that our long exile will be ended and we will find ourselves living in messianic times, may that be very soon.
The fast in LA ends at 8:45 pm.
Wishing you an easy fast and may this day be transformed into gladness.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Erev 17th of Tammuz
Tomorrow is the Seventeenth day of the hebrew month of Tammuz, when the ancient city of Jerusalem was assaulted by invading gentiles. Three weeks later on the Ninth of Av (Tisha B'Av), the Holy Temple was set afire and razed. Both the 17th of Tammuz and Tisha B'Av are fast days.
This interval on the Jewish calendar is known as the "Three Weeks". The number three alludes to the inner significance and function of the Three Weeks as a period of preparation for the Third Holy Temple.
On a superficial level the Three Weeks are a sad time, a period of mourning for the destruction of the Temple and the beginning of the Jewish people's current exile. But on a deeper level they contain a hidden good. Why?
Everything that happens in the world is directed by G-d. G-d is the essence of good, and everything He does is good, even if it doesn't appear that way at first. Having come directly from G-d, there is no other possibility.
Accordingly, the Three Weeks, although superficially associated with sadness, contain a positive meaning: At the exact moment when the Second Holy Temple was destroyed, the Third and eternal Holy Temple was constructed up in heaven. In this light the entire destruction can be seen as nothing but a preparatory stage in the Redemptive process, a necessary step toward the Final Redemption with Moshiach, at which time the concept of exile will no longer exist.
At present, the good contained within the Three Weeks remains hidden. But reflecting upon its true, inner meaning hastens the day when its inner goodness will be revealed, when the Temple will be reestablished.
Let us therefore accustom ourselves to seeing the hidden good that exists in all things, thereby meriting the ultimate revelation of inner goodness with the arrival of our Righteous Moshiach.
This interval on the Jewish calendar is known as the "Three Weeks". The number three alludes to the inner significance and function of the Three Weeks as a period of preparation for the Third Holy Temple.
On a superficial level the Three Weeks are a sad time, a period of mourning for the destruction of the Temple and the beginning of the Jewish people's current exile. But on a deeper level they contain a hidden good. Why?
Everything that happens in the world is directed by G-d. G-d is the essence of good, and everything He does is good, even if it doesn't appear that way at first. Having come directly from G-d, there is no other possibility.
Accordingly, the Three Weeks, although superficially associated with sadness, contain a positive meaning: At the exact moment when the Second Holy Temple was destroyed, the Third and eternal Holy Temple was constructed up in heaven. In this light the entire destruction can be seen as nothing but a preparatory stage in the Redemptive process, a necessary step toward the Final Redemption with Moshiach, at which time the concept of exile will no longer exist.
At present, the good contained within the Three Weeks remains hidden. But reflecting upon its true, inner meaning hastens the day when its inner goodness will be revealed, when the Temple will be reestablished.
Let us therefore accustom ourselves to seeing the hidden good that exists in all things, thereby meriting the ultimate revelation of inner goodness with the arrival of our Righteous Moshiach.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Our Rebbe
One of the disciples of Rabbi Yisrael Alter of Gur, was very wealthy and at one point lived in New Zealand due to his business dealings.
Once, in 1949, on a trip to New York to visit his daughter, he entered an elevator only to be greeted by a Jew who asked where he hailed from. He responded that he had just arrived from New Zealand.
The stranger asked him, "Is there is a mikvah (ritual bath) in New Zealand?" The wealthy man responded, "I am there for business, not a mikvah."
The stranger responded, "If a Jew finds himself somewhere, he must have a positive impact."
The elevator doors opened, both men exited and went their separate ways.
The wealthy man asked his daughter, who was waiting for him nearby, regarding the identity of the man who had rode in the elevator with him. She responded that he was Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the son-in-law of the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, who would later himself become Rebbe.
Over forty years passed, during which time the businessman had aged significantly. He had long since left New Zealand and he was, again, visiting his daughter in New York. He decided to go to the Lubavitcher Rebbe's Sunday dollar distribution.
When he greeted the Rebbe, the Rebbe asked, "Is there a mikvah already in New Zealand?"
The elderly man was clearly amazed. The Rebbe of Gur asked him what he was so amazed about.
He responded that he was amazed by the Rebbe's memory; forty years had elapsed since their elevator rendezvous!
And the Rebbe of Gur said, he was amazed about what was on the Rebbe's mind for forty years—a mikvah in faraway New Zealand. And how bothered he was that there was none there..."
That's our Rebbe.
Once, in 1949, on a trip to New York to visit his daughter, he entered an elevator only to be greeted by a Jew who asked where he hailed from. He responded that he had just arrived from New Zealand.
The stranger asked him, "Is there is a mikvah (ritual bath) in New Zealand?" The wealthy man responded, "I am there for business, not a mikvah."
The stranger responded, "If a Jew finds himself somewhere, he must have a positive impact."
The elevator doors opened, both men exited and went their separate ways.
The wealthy man asked his daughter, who was waiting for him nearby, regarding the identity of the man who had rode in the elevator with him. She responded that he was Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the son-in-law of the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, who would later himself become Rebbe.
Over forty years passed, during which time the businessman had aged significantly. He had long since left New Zealand and he was, again, visiting his daughter in New York. He decided to go to the Lubavitcher Rebbe's Sunday dollar distribution.
When he greeted the Rebbe, the Rebbe asked, "Is there a mikvah already in New Zealand?"
The elderly man was clearly amazed. The Rebbe of Gur asked him what he was so amazed about.
He responded that he was amazed by the Rebbe's memory; forty years had elapsed since their elevator rendezvous!
And the Rebbe of Gur said, he was amazed about what was on the Rebbe's mind for forty years—a mikvah in faraway New Zealand. And how bothered he was that there was none there..."
That's our Rebbe.
Friday, June 25, 2010
13th Tammuz - PARSHAS BALAK
On this day the Previous Rebbe was actually freed.
“It was not myself alone that the Holy One, blessed be He, redeemed on the 12th of Tammuz" wrote the Previous Rebbe, "but also those who love the Torah and observe its commandments, and so too, all those who merely bear the name ‘Jew'."
In the face of adversity, a natural impulse might be to restrict one’s sphere of activity. Instead, the Previous Rebbe expanded his activities and reached out to our entire people, impacting, producing change and influencing the future of all.
A true leader is not conscious of his individual identity; his only concern is for the people as a whole. Leadership of this kind is characterized by a unique dimension of self-sacrifice
The redemption of the Previous Rebbe, the head of the generation, enables every member of our people to experience redemption from those forces which restrict our own observance of Torah. May this personal experience of redemption spread and spiral until we merit the ultimate Redemption. May this take place now..
This week's torah portion Balak focuses on the blessings given the Jewish people by the gentile prophet Bilaam. Balak, the king of Moab, hired Bilaam, a gentile prophet to curse the Jews. But G-d put blessings in Billam's mouth and he was forced to utter them, in stead of the curses.
Among Bilaam's prophecies is the only explicit allusion to Mashiach in the Torah: "A star shall shoot forth from Jacob."
This allusion is chosen, because Mashiach's coming will introduce new light into our existence, brightening our horizons. The star to which the verse refers is an analogy for every individual Jew. Every person is a source of positive energy, radiating light.
Chassidut explains that every person is a star, because every person contains a spark of Mashiach within his soul. There is in our souls- an element that is one with G-d. This is our personal star. And this is our spark of Mashiach.
The coming of Mashiach will initiate an era when the G-dliness which is at the core of every being will come to the surface.
May it happen now, amen!
Candle lighting time for L.A. is 7:50.
Shabbat Shalom!
“It was not myself alone that the Holy One, blessed be He, redeemed on the 12th of Tammuz" wrote the Previous Rebbe, "but also those who love the Torah and observe its commandments, and so too, all those who merely bear the name ‘Jew'."
In the face of adversity, a natural impulse might be to restrict one’s sphere of activity. Instead, the Previous Rebbe expanded his activities and reached out to our entire people, impacting, producing change and influencing the future of all.
A true leader is not conscious of his individual identity; his only concern is for the people as a whole. Leadership of this kind is characterized by a unique dimension of self-sacrifice
The redemption of the Previous Rebbe, the head of the generation, enables every member of our people to experience redemption from those forces which restrict our own observance of Torah. May this personal experience of redemption spread and spiral until we merit the ultimate Redemption. May this take place now..
This week's torah portion Balak focuses on the blessings given the Jewish people by the gentile prophet Bilaam. Balak, the king of Moab, hired Bilaam, a gentile prophet to curse the Jews. But G-d put blessings in Billam's mouth and he was forced to utter them, in stead of the curses.
Among Bilaam's prophecies is the only explicit allusion to Mashiach in the Torah: "A star shall shoot forth from Jacob."
This allusion is chosen, because Mashiach's coming will introduce new light into our existence, brightening our horizons. The star to which the verse refers is an analogy for every individual Jew. Every person is a source of positive energy, radiating light.
Chassidut explains that every person is a star, because every person contains a spark of Mashiach within his soul. There is in our souls- an element that is one with G-d. This is our personal star. And this is our spark of Mashiach.
The coming of Mashiach will initiate an era when the G-dliness which is at the core of every being will come to the surface.
May it happen now, amen!
Candle lighting time for L.A. is 7:50.
Shabbat Shalom!
Previous Rebbe arrested as a child.....
The Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe R' Yosef Yitzchok would earn money for reciting Talmudic passages by heart, with this money, at age 11, he provided interest free loans to the market people.
One day he met one of his regulars, Reb Dovid the butcher, he was carrying a calf on his shoulders, a small lamb in his arms, and a basket of chickens in front of him. "I hope to G-d that I'll earn well today..."he told to the young Yosef Yitzchok. And just then a policeman smacked R Dovid across the face till blood ran down his nose. Seeing this, the young boy yelled, "Drunk! Despicable one!" and he pushed the policeman.
The policeman accused the young boy of ripping his badge off his chest and interfering with his duties and so he had him arrested. Sitting in the dark cell, the young Yosef Yitzchok was pretty frightened. But then started reviewing the words of Torah that he knew by heart.
Suddenly the young boy heard grunting sounds. He lit a match from his pocket and to his utter suprise saw a bound calf with a muzzle on his mouth lying in a corner.
After a couple of hours he was released.
Now, Reb Dovid, was accused of stealing the calf he was carrying. Someone had their calf missing and the police accused R' Dovid of being the thief therefore smacked him.
When they heard that young Y.Y. found a bound and muzzled calf lying in the jail. They investigated, and how amazed they all were to see that indeed .there was the missing slash stolen calf. The policeman himself framed R' Dovid.
"My father said to me" writes Yosef Yitzchok in his diary, "You did well to protect the dignity of an honest Jew. And if for that you suffered for a few hours, so what?"
"Now it has also been demonstrated to you," father continued, "how good it is that you are fluent in mishnayot, talmudic passages by heart. Were it not for this knowledge, in what way were you any better than - l'havdil - the calf who also sat in prison?
Father's words remain engraved on my mind and heart: continues to write Yosef Yitzchok, "Love and esteem every honest Jew, be he rich or poor in Torah. Protect the dignity of every Jew even if danger is involved. And always prepare "provisions for the way" - by learning by heart - in case of any mishap, so that no time will be wasted without study of Torah.
My father gave me ten rubles to add to my fund that I may increase my loan-granting activities."
One day he met one of his regulars, Reb Dovid the butcher, he was carrying a calf on his shoulders, a small lamb in his arms, and a basket of chickens in front of him. "I hope to G-d that I'll earn well today..."he told to the young Yosef Yitzchok. And just then a policeman smacked R Dovid across the face till blood ran down his nose. Seeing this, the young boy yelled, "Drunk! Despicable one!" and he pushed the policeman.
The policeman accused the young boy of ripping his badge off his chest and interfering with his duties and so he had him arrested. Sitting in the dark cell, the young Yosef Yitzchok was pretty frightened. But then started reviewing the words of Torah that he knew by heart.
Suddenly the young boy heard grunting sounds. He lit a match from his pocket and to his utter suprise saw a bound calf with a muzzle on his mouth lying in a corner.
After a couple of hours he was released.
Now, Reb Dovid, was accused of stealing the calf he was carrying. Someone had their calf missing and the police accused R' Dovid of being the thief therefore smacked him.
When they heard that young Y.Y. found a bound and muzzled calf lying in the jail. They investigated, and how amazed they all were to see that indeed .there was the missing slash stolen calf. The policeman himself framed R' Dovid.
"My father said to me" writes Yosef Yitzchok in his diary, "You did well to protect the dignity of an honest Jew. And if for that you suffered for a few hours, so what?"
"Now it has also been demonstrated to you," father continued, "how good it is that you are fluent in mishnayot, talmudic passages by heart. Were it not for this knowledge, in what way were you any better than - l'havdil - the calf who also sat in prison?
Father's words remain engraved on my mind and heart: continues to write Yosef Yitzchok, "Love and esteem every honest Jew, be he rich or poor in Torah. Protect the dignity of every Jew even if danger is involved. And always prepare "provisions for the way" - by learning by heart - in case of any mishap, so that no time will be wasted without study of Torah.
My father gave me ten rubles to add to my fund that I may increase my loan-granting activities."
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Tests and Challenges
One day, a donkey fell into a pit. The animal cried and whined for hours while its owner tried to figure out what to do. Finally, the farmer decided that since the animal was old, and the pit needed to be covered up anyway, he'd just bury the old donkey right there. He got a shovel and started filling in the pit. The donkey kept up its wailing, but then fell silent. After an hour of furious shoveling, the farmer paused to rest. To his amazement, he saw his old donkey jump out of the pit and trot away!
At first, when the donkey realized what was happening, he cried even more piteously. But then the animal hit on a plan. As each spadeful of dirt hit his back, the donkey would shake it off and take a step up on the growing mound of earth. Eventually, the mound grow high enough for him to jump out of the pit.
Life is going to shovel dirt on us, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the pit is to shake it off and take a step up. We can get out of the deepest pits by not stopping and never giving up. Just shake it off and take a step up.
The word, "test" - Nisayon, comes from the word "l'nasos", which also means "to raise high".
The tests and challenges we face are intended to enable us to reach a higher spiritual level.
G-d chose to allow us to reach a higher spiritual level through tests and challenges.
When we realize that there is G-dliness contained in these challenging experiences, it helps us become aware that they are, in essence, hidden good.
When we realize and believe that everything is really good then it will cause us to be truly happy.
At first, when the donkey realized what was happening, he cried even more piteously. But then the animal hit on a plan. As each spadeful of dirt hit his back, the donkey would shake it off and take a step up on the growing mound of earth. Eventually, the mound grow high enough for him to jump out of the pit.
Life is going to shovel dirt on us, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the pit is to shake it off and take a step up. We can get out of the deepest pits by not stopping and never giving up. Just shake it off and take a step up.
The word, "test" - Nisayon, comes from the word "l'nasos", which also means "to raise high".
The tests and challenges we face are intended to enable us to reach a higher spiritual level.
G-d chose to allow us to reach a higher spiritual level through tests and challenges.
When we realize that there is G-dliness contained in these challenging experiences, it helps us become aware that they are, in essence, hidden good.
When we realize and believe that everything is really good then it will cause us to be truly happy.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
"Father! Father! Answer me"
The following is an excerpt from the diary of the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, which he wrote after a pleasant visit to a park in the hamlet of Serebrinka. A park that evoked detailed memories of the walks and talks the Rebbe had with his father.
"For an hour and a half I luxuriated in strolling through and sitting in the park, gazing at the sky and drowning in memories, until I heard the voice of my three year old daughter Chanah calling to me: "Father, father, where are you...? Father, father, answer me..." repeating her call twice and three times.
The call interjected most aptly into my thoughts: at that very moment I had been thinking about my father's discourse of the past Shabbat Naso, entitled, "G-d Descended Upon Mt. Sinai". In it, father cites a metaphor to explain the difference between the Divine effluence which comes in response to one's Torah study and observance of mitzvot and G-d's response to one's "service of the heart", one's prayer. The service of Torah and mitzvot draws a Divine response comparable to a father's pleasure in a son who toils in his father's business to increase his father's wealth. But the response evoked by prayer is like a father's response to his small child who yearns for him and cries, "Father, father, answer me..."
Hearing my own daughter's cries, I sensed in my own self how a child's call of "father, father" causes a pleasing of the spirit and awakens an inner delight that is incomparably greater than the pleasure accorded by the older son's most impressive accomplishments.
The calling continued: "Father, father, where are you? Father, father answer me, hug me." I followed her voice and she hugged me and told me that grandfather, grandmother and mother were all waiting for me for the evening meal."
"For an hour and a half I luxuriated in strolling through and sitting in the park, gazing at the sky and drowning in memories, until I heard the voice of my three year old daughter Chanah calling to me: "Father, father, where are you...? Father, father, answer me..." repeating her call twice and three times.
The call interjected most aptly into my thoughts: at that very moment I had been thinking about my father's discourse of the past Shabbat Naso, entitled, "G-d Descended Upon Mt. Sinai". In it, father cites a metaphor to explain the difference between the Divine effluence which comes in response to one's Torah study and observance of mitzvot and G-d's response to one's "service of the heart", one's prayer. The service of Torah and mitzvot draws a Divine response comparable to a father's pleasure in a son who toils in his father's business to increase his father's wealth. But the response evoked by prayer is like a father's response to his small child who yearns for him and cries, "Father, father, answer me..."
Hearing my own daughter's cries, I sensed in my own self how a child's call of "father, father" causes a pleasing of the spirit and awakens an inner delight that is incomparably greater than the pleasure accorded by the older son's most impressive accomplishments.
The calling continued: "Father, father, where are you? Father, father answer me, hug me." I followed her voice and she hugged me and told me that grandfather, grandmother and mother were all waiting for me for the evening meal."
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Parsha - Naso.Birkat Kohanim
An ancient Jewish theme is the idea of one person blessing another. Everyone has the power of blessing to a certain extent, but some people have it to a greater degree. The person giving the blessing is calling on G‑d to help a particular individual, to pour on him or her Divine bounty and goodness.
G‑d told Abraham "...through you will be blessed all families of the earth". G‑d was hereby granting Abraham the power of blessing.
This week's Torah reading, Naso, gives the text of a very remarkable blessing: the words with which the Priests, the kohanim, bless the people. They used to chant this daily in the Temple. Today too, on festivals, they stand in front of the Ark and bless the congregation:
May G‑d bless and protect you. May G‑d make His countenance shine upon you and be gracious to you. May G‑d turn His countenance toward you and grant you peace.
Rabbi Akiva explains that following the blessing of the kohanim, G‑d responds and gives His infinitely exalted blessing to the Jewish people.. The kohanim pronounce their blessing, and G‑d responds.
We just celebrated the Giving of the Torah at Sinai. One of this holiday's lessons is the ongoing interaction between each individual and G‑d. The same effect as when the Kohain blesses and G-d responds, is with each individual when we study Torah, G-d responds. We connect with G-d.
An individual actually, connects with G‑d at every step. Whether as a kohen blessing the congregation, or any person studying Torah, or indeed carrying out any mitzvah, G‑d responds, at every moment of our life.
Shabbat Shalom! Candle lighting time for L.A. is 7:34
G‑d told Abraham "...through you will be blessed all families of the earth". G‑d was hereby granting Abraham the power of blessing.
This week's Torah reading, Naso, gives the text of a very remarkable blessing: the words with which the Priests, the kohanim, bless the people. They used to chant this daily in the Temple. Today too, on festivals, they stand in front of the Ark and bless the congregation:
May G‑d bless and protect you. May G‑d make His countenance shine upon you and be gracious to you. May G‑d turn His countenance toward you and grant you peace.
Rabbi Akiva explains that following the blessing of the kohanim, G‑d responds and gives His infinitely exalted blessing to the Jewish people.. The kohanim pronounce their blessing, and G‑d responds.
We just celebrated the Giving of the Torah at Sinai. One of this holiday's lessons is the ongoing interaction between each individual and G‑d. The same effect as when the Kohain blesses and G-d responds, is with each individual when we study Torah, G-d responds. We connect with G-d.
An individual actually, connects with G‑d at every step. Whether as a kohen blessing the congregation, or any person studying Torah, or indeed carrying out any mitzvah, G‑d responds, at every moment of our life.
Shabbat Shalom! Candle lighting time for L.A. is 7:34
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