Mussar Drosha: Tzav

Mussar Drosha: Tzav:

Parshas Vayikra, as we read, spoke a lot about Korbanos/offerings.  And now, as we head into Parshas Tzav, we find even more topics on Korbanos.  

In the third Aliyah, the Torah tells us ‘And if from the flesh of the sacrifice of his Peace-offering will be eaten on the third day….. it will be rejected….’ Rashi HaKadosh quotes from Toras Kohanim, which explains that this verse is referring to one who intended at the time of slaughter that it would be eaten on the third day.  This is called Piggul.  

But, let us ask; what really is a Korban?  True, as we know, it is when we offer something to Hashem, but what is the “deeper” significance of it?  

So, HaRav Shimshon Refoel Hirsch zt"l explains that the word “קרבּן” comes from the root “קרב”-- to come close, or near.  “It is קרבת אלקים, nearness to G-d” he says “which is striven for by a קרבן.”

Unfortunately though, as of right now, we cannot offer Korbanos nor do we have a Mizbeach/Altar to bring them on or perform the special services with (may Hashem, He is Blessed, restore it very, very swiftly in everyone's days, Amein).  However, in the stead of Korbanos, we have our Tefillos.  

Tefillos/Prayers are now (one of) our vehicle(s) to come closer to Hashem.  And they must be done properly -- just like a Korban must -- in order to truly bring us closer to Hashem.  You couldn’t just slaughter an animal and say it's an offering:  There are special directions to follow, things to do, etc.  So too with Davening, it is not just saying some words……

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But now let us think again about the concept of Piggul:  If our Tefillos are supposed to be like Korbanos, and a Korban was rendered unfit because of improper intentions, then we must be very careful to concentrate on our Davening and have the proper intentions -- otherwise it could be unfit, Chas V’Shalom!  But how do we rid ourselves of the mundane thoughts that the Yetzer Hara keeps throwing into our minds, which could, Chas V’Shalom, mess up our Tefillah?

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The Torah tells us at the beginning of this parsha ‘And the fire of the Altar shall burn on [lit. in] it.’  The Mizbeach can symbolize Davening (as Korbanos were offered on it):  So perhaps the above passuk/verse comes to teach us that we must have fire in Davening -- we must Daven with passion and warmth.  

And we might also add that this could be one of the lessons of the word 'בּוֹ' (which means ‘in it’ or ‘in him’):  A person must kindle the spark inside of themselves into a roaring blaze to Hashem and put it into the Tefillos.  And, partly based upon some Chassidishe Vorts that I heard (from HaRav Elyakim Rosenblatt shlita, on TorahAnytime.com), perhaps we may suggest that this is what the words towards the beginning of the passuk are alluding to: ‘זאת תּוֹרת העלה’ -- you want to know the secret to rising up high? (This gotten from the word Olah --which comes from the root of ascending).  You must Daven with fire and fervor!  Really say the holy words of Tefillah/Prayer with passion -- this will bring you closer to Hashem like a Korban (see above), and raise you up.

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Alternatively, ‘בּוֹ’ can mean 'in him'.  The passuk can then be rendered 'And the fire of the Mizbeach shall burn in him' -- which teaches us that if you want to Daven with fire and passion (or do anything else for that matter with it), it must come from within.  You must kindle an Aish Kodesh/Holy Fire inside of yourself.  (By Aish Kodesh, we of course mean a burning desire to come close to Hashem, and warmth and fervor).

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Or perhaps we may suggest something different:  The Be'er Moshe zt"l (quoted in Nesivos Shalom) explains that ‘בּוֹ’ ('in it') alludes to the strength of Torah.  And HaRav Shalom Rosner shlita (on OU.org) explains this to mean that the Aish Kodesh is in the Torah.  Based upon this (and some on the Nesivos Shalom zt"l), we may perhaps suggest that ‘בּוֹ’ can be referring to the Davening.  In order to Daven with the proper passion, we must really concentrate on the words of Tefillah, for the Aish Kodesh is in them.

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But how does all this answer our above question -- how to rid ourselves of mundane thoughts during Davening?  So, there is a mashal/parable quoted in the book Toras Avos:   

Imagine there is someone who wants to cut down an entire forest in order to be able to build a city there.  But, after cutting down tree after tree, he realizes that his days will be over before the trees will be gone!  So what did he do?  He lit a fire and it burned down the entire forest very quickly!  So too, explains Sefer Toras Avos, if a Jew wants to wage war with improper thoughts, you must light up a roaring Aish Kodesh, and it will burn away your improper thoughts. (Quoted in Nesivos Shalom).

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Now we have the answer to our question!  If you want to Daven properly, and get rid of mundane thoughts which mess up your concentration, you must say the Tefillah with warmth, fervor and passion.  But don’t get discouraged if at first it is hard to have the proper fervor:  The Torah says in the second verse of this parsha ‘העלה על מוֹקדה על המזבּח’ (‘the Olah that burns upon the Altar’):  But in a Torah Scroll, the letter ‘מ’ of the word ‘מוֹקדה’ (‘burns’) is written small.  This comes to teach us that sometimes at first you might only “burn” a little while Davening -- i.e. you might only have a little passion.  But keep trying!  For if you do, with the Help of Hashem, your fervor will grow and grow until you have a roaring Aish Kodesh!

HaKadosh Baruch Hu, please send us Eliyahu HaNavi this Pesach, announcing the coming of Mashiach, son of Dovid, Your Anointed one, when You will rebuild the Beis HaMikdash and all its vessels, and we will once again be able to bring Korbanos to you!

A Gut Shabbos and a Chag Kasher V’Sameach to all!

Mussar Drosha: Vayikra

Mussar Drosha: Vayikra:

Baruch Hashem, we have the privilege now of starting Sefer Vayikra -- and where better to start than the first word of it?  

The Torah says  ‘...ויקרא אל משה וידבר ה’ אליו’ (‘And He called to Moshe and Hashem spoke to him….’).  But, in a Sefer Torah, the א of the word ‘ויקרא’ is written small.  And in this Dvar Torah, B’Ezras Hashem, I would like to concentrate on some of the many lessons we learn from this:

#1:  Says the Yismach Yisroel (the second Aleksander Rebbe -- Rebbe Yerachmiel Yisroel Yitzchok Danziger zt”l), the small א in the word ויקרא teaches us that every single thing in life -- no matter how “small” it might seem -- is Hashem calling us (as Vayikra means ‘And He called’). (From Torah Wellsprings; an online Chassidus booklet compiled by Rebbe Boruch Twersky shlita and sent out by my Rebbe, HaRav Tal Moshe Zwecker shlita).  

#2:  It appears to me that the small א carries a huge message in life:  Some people, may Hashem save us, (especially children, likely) mistakenly think that the people who look so great and boast of their riches, greatness, etc. are the great and successful people -- so that is how they can show others they are great as well!

But this is not the truth:  With the small א here, the holy Torah teaches us that, you know what a great person is (symbolized by the א -- the first letter in the Aleph-Beis)?  Someone who is humble and not always trying to show off.  That is a true א person!  

And, inspired by a title of part of a Vort by HaRav Shimshon Dovid Pincus zt”l (in Tiferes Shimshon), perhaps we may say that this is why children (at least used to) start with learning Parshas Vayikra:  Because one of the first things a child should learn is to to be humble, and not arrogant, Chas V’Shalom.  

#3:  The letter אל”ף (if spelled out), notes the Kli Yakar zt”l, has the connotation of teaching, for it has the same spelling as the word that is sometimes used to mean ‘teach’ -- אלף.

Says Rebbe Pinchos of Koritz zt”l:  “The א is small:  Teach yourself to be small.” (Quoted in Lekach Tov).  By small, he of course means to not think of yourself as great, Chas V’Shalom.  Rather, to be humble.  

#4: “Says Rabbi Assi:  Because of what do children begin [studying Torah] with Toras Kohanim (Sefer Vayikra)?  But because children are pure and Korbanos are pure.  Let pure ones come and engage in pure things.” (From Midrash Vayikra Rabbah).

Inspired by the title of part of the Vort from Rav Pincus zt”l on this Midrash, perhaps we may say that one of the most extremely important foundations for a child to learn is pureness.  This is one of the foundations of life -- and very important to learn at a young age.  

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All these insights we glean from the small א in the word ויקרא are just a few of the many.  And they are so very important to life -- whether we learn them when we are a child in Cheder, or when we are a 95 year old even.  

But overall, one of the big lessons we learn from the small א is how much can be derived from every last detail in the Torah:  From one letter -- small letter even -- there are so, so many insights and lessons to be gleaned.  Just imagine one word, or sentence!  Indeed, the holy Torah is endlessly deep.

A Gut Nacht to everyone!

A Rebbe Story: Absolute Faith in Hashem

A Rebbe Story: Absolute Faith in Hashem:

As the number of students in the Novhardok Yeshiva increased, the yeshiva's supporters grumbled at the increased expense.  The Alter of Novhardok (HaRav Yosef Yozel Hurwitz zt"l) calmed them, saying: "The number of students does not depend on the income; the income depends on the number of students.  And the more students come, the more the city will be blessed with prosperity.  Everything is in the hands of Heaven!" (From Sparks of Mussar; p. 147-148.  By HaRav Chaim Ephraim Zaitchik zt"l.  Feldheim Publishers).

Kol Tuv my brothers and sisters!

Gem from Pekudei

I'm sorry it has been so long, but here is a gem on Pekudei, as I had said I would post:

My Rebbe, HaRav Chaim Eisenstein shlita spoke to me once about the fact that HaKadosh Baruch Hu leads us in life -- He guides us and leads us where we are supposed to end up and where it is best for us to be.  

And the Holy Torah teaches us this lesson at the end of Parshas Pekudei:  After the entire Mishkan and all its vessels are finished, the Torah tells us that when the Cloud of Glory would lift from upon the Mishkan, the Bnei Yisroel would journey.  But when the Cloud did not lift from upon the Mishkan, they would not travel (until it did).  

This teaches us not just that Hashem led us then -- but He continues to lead us through life forever and ever.  Thank You Hashem, for Your constant Guidance.  

A Gut Voch to all!

Gem from Vayakhel

I am sorry there is no Mussar Drosha this week, but, B’Ezras Hashem Yisbarech; I would like to share with you a beautiful insight on Parshas Vayakhel and Pekudei (in the next post): 

So the Torah tells us ‘ויקהל משׁה את כּל עדת בּני ישׂראל....וגוֹ’.  And Rashi HaKadosh comments and explains that Moshe Rabbeinu assembled us the day after Yom Kippur. 

Writes the Chiyucha Shel Torah: "On Yom HaKippurim, everyone is gathered [together] in the Beis HaKnesses, and they treat each other with brotherhood and friendship.  However, all this only lasts for one day.  Therefore, Moshe Rabbeinu saw to gather the people the day after Yom HaKippurim.  He sought from them that the unity would continue to be, also after Yom HaKippurim." (From Chiyucha Shel Torah). 

 A Gut Shabbos to all!

Teachings, Sayings and Stories: 24th of Adar

‘Shimon HaTzaddik was among the remainders of the Knesses HaGedolah:  He used to say: “Upon three things the world stands:  Upon Torah, upon, Avodah, and upon Gemilus Chasadim.”’ (Pirkei Avos 1:2)

Parshas Ki Sisa 5777

Parshas Ki Sisa 5777:

Hey again everyone!  Hope you're having a good day, Hashem willing.  With the Help of Hashem, I would like to share with you some beautiful “nuggets” on the parsha:

1) So Hashem says about the Half-Shekel, ‘This they shall give’. The Midrash Tanchuma (quoted by Rashi HaKadosh) explains: ‘He (Hashem) showed him a sort of coin of fire, weighing half a shekel. He said to him: “Like this they shall give”.’ Teaches us the Noam Elimelech (Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk zt”l); Hashem showed Moshe Rabbeinu that money is like fire: It can be used for so much good -- but it can also be very destructive, Chas V’Shalom.  (Quoted in The Stone Edition Chumash).

2) On the same Midrash, the Kotzker Rebbe (Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Kotzk zt”l) explains that it teaches us that if one gives money as atonement, it should be given with fire and enthusiasm. (Quoted in The Stone Edition Chumash). 

Similarly, the Chiddushei HaRim (the first Gerrer Rebbe -- Rebbe Yitzchok Meir Alter zt”l) comments that we need to give charity with fire and enthusiasm.  (Told over by HaRav Elyakim Rosenblatt shlita on TorahAnytime.com).

3) So, Hashem says that each man should give an atonement for his Soul: Rebbe Moshe Bogomilsky shlita notes that the word ‘ונתנוּ’ is spelled the same both backwards and forwards. This teaches us, he explains, that a person should not worry when they give -- for they will surely get paid back. (From VeDibarta Bam). 

4) Why was it specifically a half-shekel -- not a full one? Says the Alshich HaKadosh (HaRav Moshe Alsheich zt”l) in the name of HaRav Shlomo Alkabetz zt”l -- and many others say this as well; it is to teach us that no Jew is whole by themselves. We can only become whole through joining with our fellow-Jews.

5) Now we have an insight into Shabbos -- a very famous one: So, as we know, the Shabbos is called a sign.

And the Chofetz Chaim (HaRav Yisroel Meir HaKohen Kagan zt”l) gives a mashal/parable: When a person opens up a store, the first thing they do is put up a sign (maybe some people...). The sign informs everyone that the store is open, indicating that the storekeeper is well. Even if the store is sometimes closed, as long as the sign is up, it lets people know that the storekeeper is still alive and in business.

Explains Reb Yisroel Meir zt”l; Shabbos is our Sign. As long as Shabbos is observed, it is clear that we are alive, and thriving -- serving Hashem. Even if sometimes we, Chas V’Shalom, might sin some, our Sign is still there showing that we are still alive. However, if Chas V’Shalom, our Sign is no longer up -- not observed -- we are “out of business”, Rachmana Litzlan.......

May HaKadosh Baruch Hu send every single person a

wonderful Shabbos full of sanctity!

Mussar Drosha: Ki Sisa

Mussar Drosha: Ki Sisa:

The Mohorosh of Heichal HaKodesh Breslov (Rebbe Eliezer Shlomo Schick zt”l) writes (Positive Pointers; page 3): “The alarm clock sounds.  You throw off the covers, forcing yourself out of bed once again to face the stresses and strains of yet another day.  You dress yourself reluctantly and then halfheartedly head towards the door for another stressful day of work -- all while thinking of the unpaid bills and how unfulfilled you feel in so many aspects of your life.  Stop right there!  Have you noticed the rays of dawn’s light piercing through the edges of a dark, long winter’s night?  Don’t you hear the children’s laughter reverberating through the air as they chase each other at the bus stop corner?  Aren’t you dazzled by the marvelous sight of the myriads of buds lining the branches of barren trees that have spontaneously begun to sprout -- silently proclaiming the long-awaited arrival of spring?  Before you dash into your car and jump into your daily routine, take a moment and just soak up the majesty of the scenery unfolding before your eyes.”

Rushing:  It takes the wonderful moments away.  It sucks the beauty out of things that would be extremely inspiring and even life-changing if thought about and concentrated on.  

But unfortunately, we tend to rush through life.  Whether it be because of having to take care of a bunch of stressful things at work or just in our lives overall -- it goes by very fast.  Every week -- and certainly every day.  And we find ourselves wondering where all the time went and feeling bad about it.  This is probably one of the biggest ailments of today’s fast-moving world.

The Mohorosh zt”l is giving us an incredible piece of advice:  We need to slow down our lives -- take the time to see the little things.  If you just stop and look around, as Reb Schick zt”l was teaching us above, you will realize the beauty and Miraculousness of everything.  

This is a huge concept in Judaism and the Torah even teaches us it -- in many places:  For example, we have the Commandment of Tzitzis, and we are supposed to see the strings and it will remind us not to, Chas V’Shalom stray.  If we don’t slow things down and think about stuff, how are we going to possibly even think to look at them -- or if we do see them, think of the significance?!  Also fearing Hashem:  We are supposed to have the constant awareness that He is Above us, watching us.  But if, Chas V’Shalom, we are just running through life and don’t take the time to think, how will we fulfill that?  And there are other examples.  

In this parsha, we are told about the Kiyor:  The Kiyor was the vessel from which the Kohanim would wash their hands and feet before starting the Service.  Rebbe Shneur Zalman of Liadi zt”l, among others, rules (Shulchan Aruch HaRav 4:1): “Every person who arises from bed in the morning…… needs to wash his hands….. because every person, when HaKadosh Baruch Hu returns to him his Soul becomes like a new Creation…… A person entrusts his Soul weary, and HaKadosh Baruch Hu returns it to him new and rested…… Therefore, we need to sanctify ourselves in His Holiness and wash our hands from a vessel, in order to serve (perform) His Service and minister to Him, like a Kohen who would sanctify his hands from the Kiyor every day before his Service.”

What a beautiful thing!  Just think about that!  But when we wake up (Hashem willing) each morning and wash, we (at least I) tend to just do it because, alright, we know that’s the Halacha -- and even sometimes just by rote.  We almost for sure aren't thinking about the beauty of it described by Reb Shneur Zalman zt”l!  Same drill every day (Rachmana Litzlan/may Hashem save us):  Get up, wash, get going -- not slowing down and taking the time to think…… Such a beautiful and inspiring thing, such as this, can, Chas V’Shalom and Rachmana Litzlan become in our eyes like just a task because we are running through our day.  

And this concept is illustrated beautifully by HaRav Eliezer Kashtiel shlita:  He explains that the water of the Kiyor was about Sanctifying the thoughts and intentions of actions.  And he says that Sanctifying is to focus.  We must clean inside of ourselves and focus.  When doing things, we must also be there with our intentions. “The main thing of cleanliness, the main thing of purity, the main thing of the Kiyor is the heart” he says. (From B’Nefesh HaShabbos).  

And we may add that, when we slow down and think -- it purifies us just like the waters of the Kiyor.  

Every second and everything in life is so beautiful, wondrous and miraculous.  But you won’t notice that if you are just “running by”.  Torah and Life (one and the same, really) are more wondrous than the most beautiful landscape in the world.  But if we, Chas V’Shalom, just run through them with our mind elsewhere, we won’t notice it.  If we would just slow down, we would see it all………

May HaKadosh Baruch Hu help every person to do this, Amein Vi’Amein.

Teachins, Sayings and Stories: 17th of Adar

Tefillin are absolutely so special.  How can a person possibly not Daven properly when they understand that they are wearing upon themselves the Two Batim?!

Parshas Tetzaveh 5777

 פּרשׁת תּצוה

So, now, with Hashem’s Help, I would like to share with you some beautiful insights: 

 

1) Let’s just start off with a very all-encompassing thought:  In the Parshios from Terumah to Pekudei, there are certainly a lot of specifics, and details, etc. 

 

HaRav Adin Steinsaltz shlita compares the Mishkan to a rocket ship (of course there is a big separation between the two….):  So, he discusses the fact that people will work on the rocket for a long time, with all the details, trying to make it perfect.  It needs all these details and specifics to be good enough to make it to space!  So too with the Mishkan, he explains; it needed all the details and specifics to be perfect in order to ascend to Heaven (or bring Heaven down here, so to speak).  

 

And it is the same with the Garments of the Kohanim, says Rav Steinsaltz shlita:  Just like an astronaut suit must be “perfect”, with all the details, and if anything goes wrong the astronaut will die when he goes out into space (may Hashem save us all), so too with the Garments of the Kohanim; they had to be perfect, down to the last detail. (From Chayei Olam Al HaTorah).  

 

2) In the book Peninei HaTorah, it is related on the first verse of this Parsha a story about HaRav Yisroel Salanter zt”l:  A student of his once came to him and told him that he wanted to go to Germany to spread Mussar there and help people to do Teshuva.  Rav Yisroel replied; “And with Russia you have already finished?” The student admitted that Rav Yisroel was right and said “If so, I will travel to Russia.” Rav Yisroel replied; “And with Poland you have already finished?” The student admitted that Rav Yisroel was right and the Rav said further: “And with your city, Radun, you have already finished?  And your family you have already returned in Teshuva?  And yourself you have already corrected?” The student realized Rav Yisroel zt”l’s wisdom, and said essentially that yes, he had to first return himself to Hashem.  

 

Adds HaRav Shabsi Yudelowitz zt”l; this is one of the lessons in the verse: ‘And you’ - you must first correct yourself and return to Hashem wholly; then ‘shall command the B’nei Yisroel’ - then you can “command” others and spread Mussar to them. (From Peninei HaTorah). 

 

3) Asks HaRav Chaim Shmulevitz zt”l; why in the first verse does it say ‘and they should take to you’?  Why the ‘to you’?  Not only this, but it uses that same language of ‘to you’ when Moshe Rabbeinu was told to bring near Aharon HaKohen and his sons to be Kohanim! 

 

So, he quotes from Gemara Kereisos (5b) which comments on Tehillim 133:1-2, and explains that when the Anointing Oil was poured upon Aharon, it was as if it was also poured on Moshe Rabbeinu.  Explains Rav Shmulevitz zt”l; because of the great oneness of Aharon HaKohen and Moshe Rabbeinu, when the Anointing Oil was poured upon Aharon his brother - Moshe Rabbeinu felt like it was poured on him.  It was like ‘one man with one heart’.  That is the ‘to you’ as he explains. (From Sichos Mussar). 

 

4) The first verse says ‘and they shall take to you pure olive oil; pressed (or crushed) for lighting…’ HaRav Shalom Schwadron zt”l says; how do you acquire Torah?  ‘Pressed’ - you must press yourself, toil, work hard, labor in Torah; and then ‘for lighting’ - you will then see the Light of Torah permeate through your life. (Quoted in Peninim On The Torah). 

 

5) Before we move on to another verse, there is beautiful Chassidishe “nugget”:  The verse says ‘and they shall take pure olive oil, crushed, to kindle the light continually.’ Says the Nikolsburger Rebbe (Rebbe Yosef Yechiel Michel Lebovits shlita), a person must make their hearts pure and without blemish, just like this olive oil was to be, and then not only will they personally shine, they will be able to kindle the eternal spark within everyone else.  

 

And he adds that the Soul is compared to the Candle of Hashem - and just like when you light other things with a candle, it doesn’t lose any of its flame, so too, if we can ignite other’s sparks, it will not take away any of our inspiration - on the contrary, actually it will add to our inspiration! (From Nikolsburg.org).  

 

6) So, Hashem tells Moshe Rabbeinu to speak to ‘all the wise of heart, whom I have filled with wisdom.’ Says Rebbe Shalom of Koidanov zt”l; only those who understand that ‘I have filled them with wisdom’ i.e. Hashem gave them their wisdom, and it is not from them - only those people are ‘wise of heart’.  

 

7) Okay; Hashem willing, we will have a couple thoughts on the Me’il:  #1:  So, as we know, there were supposed to be pomegranates and golden bells on the bottom of it - and the bells, of course, would make noise. 

 

So the Baalei Mussar point out that a person is more aware of what is around them (and Above them) - just more aware in general - when they are making sounds as they go.  For the sounds sort of wake them up.  The sounds of the bells ringing would help to make sure that the Kohen Gadol was very aware of the holy place he was in.  (Told over by HaRav Shalom Rosner shlita on OU.org).  

 

8) #2; Says the Alshich HaKadosh, the Ephod is an allusion to the mouth, for the word אפוֹד, if spelled without the ו (as it is at times), is the same as that of the word פּה - mouth.  And indeed, he brings that the Sages teach that the Me’il atoned for the sin of Lashon Hara.  And he explains many lessons for speaking we learn from it (I’ll quote 2 of the 3):  

 

First, the Torah tells us that it should be the work of a weaver and that it should not be ripped.  Explains the Alshich HaKadosh; this teaches us that a person should not think to themselves that they will cause strife with their mouth and then fix it - rather, they should fix their speech at first! (This learned out from the fact that the Me’il was supposed to never be ripped - even if it could be fixed afterward).  

 

And another lesson:  The Torah tells us ‘Vi’haya phi rosho bi’socho/And it’s opening (literally - mouth) at the top shall be [turned] inward’.  Says the Alshich HaKadosh: “That his speech and his mouth should be like what is in his heart and in him, so that it should not be ‘one thing in his mouth and one in his heart’!” (This learned out from the “mouth” of the Me’il having to be turned inwards). (This insight is from Vi’Haarev Na).  

 

9) Okay; so, another one of the Garments to be made was the Tzitz:  It was a golden head plate that had the words Kodesh L’Hashem (Holy to Hashem) inscribed upon it.  

 

So, the Ksav Sofer (HaRav Avraham Shmuel Binyamin Sofer zt”l) quotes from his father the Chasam Sofer (HaRav Moshe Sofer zt”l), who brings the teaching of the Sages, that the Tzitz atoned for the sin of brazenness.  

 

And the Chasam Sofer zt”l quotes from Pirkei Avos (5:21) where Rabbi Yehuda ben Teima z”l says ‘Be bold as a leopard….. to carry out the Will of your Father in Heaven.’ (See an incredible explanation of this Mishnah in Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, Chapter 1).  So he explains that the writing of ‘Holy to Hashem’ on the Tzitz teaches us that we must use this trait of brazenness properly - and make it ‘Holy to Hashem’. (From Ksav Sofer Al HaTorah).  

 

10) One last insight on the parsha, and then, Hashem willing, we will list one insight on Parshas Zachor and Purim, and then another on Purim:  

 

So Hashem says in the sixth Aliyah ‘And there I will arrange My meetings with the Bnei Yisroel…..’ Explains HaRav Yosef Dov (Yoshe Ber) Soloveitchik zt”l (son of HaRav Moshe Soloveitchik zt”l); Hashem had rendezvous’ with Moshe Rabbeinu there, and later, in the Beis HaMikdash, with us.  But a rendezvous, he says, is really a confidential and private thing (usually that would take place between only two parties).  A multitude of people can’t really have a rendezvous with one individual!  However, the Rav zt”l explains that the Jewish People are really one - we are an individual.   

 

And he concludes: “A Jew is someone who has a rendezvous from time to time with HaKadosh Baruch Hu.  The Jew will never delay this rendezvous.  He will never break this rendezvous.  He will never postpone this rendezvous.  A Jew never says ‘It is cold today; I would rather put on Tefillin tomorrow.’ Judaism itself is a rendezvous. (From Mesoras HaRav).  

 

11) As we discussed above, Parshas Zachor and Purim are both about defeating Amalek YM”S (and the Yetzer Hara).  And our Gedolim tell us that Amalek tries to make us not serve Hashem with warmth (‘that he cooled you off on the way’) and bring doubts about Him and Judaism in general into us (the numerical value of the word עמלק is the same as that of ספק/doubt).  And these things go hand in hand.  If, Chas V’Shalom, we do not serve Hashem with passion and warmth, false doubts will come into our heads, may Hashem save us.  

 

So this time is a reminder to us to try to beat these powers of Amalek (and the Yetzer Hara):  It is a reminder to try to, with Hashem’s Help, overcome those terrible things.  May HaKadosh Baruch Hu help every single person to do so, Amein Vi’Amein. 

 

12) Now a Purim thought:  Rebbe Elimelech Biderman shlita notes that if we look at the Megillah collectively, we are amazed at the wondrous Miracles!  However, if you look at the individual things of the Miracles of Purim, all of them can be explained according to “nature”.  

 

Purim, he says, teaches us a brand new faith:  It teaches us that Hashem is always with us, even when things seem like the “natural way of the world” (since everything is from Hashem - even what we would think of as just the norm; such as breathing…..). (This vort is from Torah Wellsprings - Zachor Purim 5777 - an online booklet on the Parshios and Festivals.  It can be found at Be’er Mayim Chaim).  

I wish every single person a wonderful Shabbos full of holiness!