Torah Thought-Miketz Friday, Dec 18 2009

This weeks Parshah is Miketz. It speaks about the twelve tribes entering Egypt essentially the beginning of our people’s first exile. They brothers all entered through different gates yet were all gathered and brought before Pharaohs viceroy and charged as enemies of the state.

Through out our people’s history when entering a new exile some think that the best option is split up and try to blend in. The thought being if we all split up and go with the flow we can just become part of the people and be excepted as equals.

This is similar to the desire of the Greeks in the story of Chanukah. The Greeks did not want us dead, they did not want us to give up Torah, they simply wanted us to give up what makes us Jews. The belief behind the actions that separates us from all the nations as Gods chosen people.

But our lesson from this Parshah and Chanukah is that we are not a people who blend. The Egyptian exile only ended when we stood together proudly as a people and brought sheep the idols of the Egypt into our homes with complete faith God would save us. Also in the story of Chanukah the Macabbes stood up proudly against the Greeks shouting “who can compare in strength to our God”.

The lesson for us is clear. We are standing the pinnacle of the exile the dark right before dawn. It is of vital importance now more then ever before that we rise together proudly as Jews and fill the world with Gods light. We can not hide we can not sit back it is not in us as a nation. We must light the world through the light of our menorah and the light of our mitzvoth unveiling the ultimate light of Moshiach.

On a personal note I spent some time this week in Bat Ayin in land that the world demands Jews leave. I sat with the soldiers and the settlers who are standing as Judah Macabbe did and as Moses did standing up for God. I stood on the spot where Passover eve this past year Shlomo Nativ a 13 year old boy was brutally murdered by an arab with an ax. When I arrived back in Tzfat I was delighted to hear of the birth of my niece Chana Braina Bas Rav Chaim and Fraida Leah Litvin. I ask you all to join me as I fervently hope and pray the Chana Braina grows up in a world where we will never hear of such things again. In a time where there is only peace and the spirit of God is known throughout the world with the immediate arrival of Moshiach and the final redemption. Amen

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Torah Thought-Vayeshev Thursday, Dec 10 2009

This week’s parshah is Vayeshev. This Shabbos is also the first day of Chanukah. There is no such thing as coincidence so there must be a connection between Vayeshev and Chanukah.

Chanukah tells the story of our people victory over our enemies of darkness over light. In fact this holiday is all about light from the Menorah in the Holy Temple to our little Menorah in each of our houses each year.

There are a key difference between the temples menorah and ours. The temple menorah’s light was constant while our ascend with more light each night.

The reason is that in the time of darkness in which we live maintaining light simply isn’t enough. We must all actively endeavor to increase light in our everyday lives. Through fulfilling Hashem’s Mitzvos and random acts of goodness and kindness we can elevate our lives and complete our duty as lamplighters.

In the weeks Parshah we discuss a very dark chapter in the lives of our forefathers however at the end of that story a baby is born who descendent is Moshiach. The rabbis explain that it is in fact at the times of greatest darkness that the greatest light is waiting to shine. May it be the gods will that the light of our Chanukah candles combined with those of all the children of Israel be the last push needed to expel the darkness and ignite the everlasting light of Moshiach. Amen.

this weeks thought is dedicated to my brother Shmully who in the true spirit of his parents and grandparents endeavors selfless to spread light in anyway he can.

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Torah Thought-Vayishlach Friday, Dec 4 2009

This weeks Parshah is Vayishlach. In this week’s Parshah we discuss a Jacobs’s confrontation with his brother and Gods kindness towards Jacob. Afterwards Jacob worries “maybe due to my sins gods wont favor me”. The obvious question is how Jacob could think he had fallen from Grace Cause of his sins when he was a truly righteous man.

Jacob realized that he was at a high spiritual level and that something that might not be considered a sin to a lesser man might be a huge incident for him. He also knew that The Holy One Blessed Be He demands growth. Having come to the conclusion he could grow no more he was worried God might no longer hold him as dear.

Sunday this week is the 19th day of Kislev. On this day Chassidim celebrate the release of the Alter Rebbe our first leader from prison in Russia where he was punished for promoting Judaism. While in prison he was visited by one of the czar’s ministers who was a bible scholar. He asked the Alter Rebbe what does it mean when the Almighty asked Adam ‘Ayekah’ where are you. Surely god knew his creations whereabouts. The Alter Rebbe responded “God was asking Adam what he had done. Adam was given a mission in life as were we all and god wanted to know his progress. When a man of ‘the Alter Rebbe then mentioned the ministers age’ looks at him self and says where am I where am I in my life where am I holding in my relationship with my family with my faith this is Ayekah.”

Jacobs forgot one thing in his thought process when you have reached as high as you can you must change yourself break yourself to reach even higher. Later in the Parshah Jacob is renamed by God Yisroel or Israel. Under this name there was no boundary Jacob could not cross.

This power was passed on to us as Beni Yisroel-the children of Israel we have an inept power to conquer the world and even deeper conquer ourselves in our service to god to grow where no man has grown before if you will and to overcome in our path to fulfill our mission here on earth.

May we soon see the day where as a people fueled by the question of Ayekah and the power of Yisroel we over come the final obstacle and bring the final redemption with moshiach.

Good Shabbos and Ayekah

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Torah Thought-Vayatzie Thursday, Nov 26 2009

This week is Parshas Vayatzie. In the Parshah we discuss Jacobs journey, leaving his fathers house to go out in the world. The Parshah begins with the story of Jacobs first night in the world. Wary of the animals he surrounded his head with stones and slept on the spot that later became the site of our Holy Temple confident to sleep nestled in gods embrace.

But a simple question comes up why did Jacob surround himself partially with rocks? If he was reliant on G-d he needed no rocks and if fending for himself why not protect his entire body.

The answer can be found in Psalms. “If you eat the labor of your hands, happy will you be and it will be well for you.” The verse stresses “of your hands”, and the Rebbe explains that there are two kinds of working, regardless of your occupation. The first is one who work with their hands i.e. he works hard and faithfully to complete his tasks, but does not yet bury his whole being in the job. His mind remains free able to occupy itself with his own inner thoughts, though not of course at the expense of his work. The second is one that works with his head completely submerged in business with no time for family, friend’s, g-dliness, or even himself.

Jacob was leaving the center of Judaism, the camp of Isaac, a place of Torah, spirituality and holiness and heading into the exact opposite. He was heading to his heathen uncles home to work day and night with his sheep with no time for reflection. Jacob first made sure that his mind was protected from becoming to engrossed in the world.

The Rebbe Maharash, the 4th Rebbe in the Lubavitch dynasty, once told a group of his followers that Hashem should always be first in your mind even while in the marketplace. When one student asked how is this possible the Rebbe replied “if one could think of business while in synagogue why can’t one think of The Holy One Blessed Be He while in his place of business.

We all gather in synagogue every week to recharge our batteries our Jewish spark. But we must remember that when we do go back out into the world, that the world is a dangerous place and above all we must protect our heads. May we soon see the day where we can hold our heads high as we together with Jacob march proudly back home to Eretz Yisroel with Moshiach. Amen

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Torah Thought Toldos Friday, Nov 20 2009

This weeks Parshah is Toldos. It speaks of the birth and upbringing of Esau and Jacob. It also relays the famous buying of the birthright and Isaac dying blessing.

In this story Jacob who was legally the firstborn having purchased it came before his father to receive a blessing. Isaac however was under the impression that Esau held the rank of firstborn and was expecting him. By this time in his life Isaac was quite blind so Jacob entered his room wearing furs the customary clothes of his rugged brother. Isaac while conversing with him says “the voice (i.e. the words) is the voice of Jacob but the hands (i.e. the outward appearance) are the hands of Esau” he then proceeded to give the blessing.

The question could be asked how is it possible for a man as wise as Isaac confuse Jacob the patriarch of the Jewish people a man who sat all day learning gods torah with Esau simply because of a outfit change?

The answer is a lesson for everyone especially today’s teenagers. Appearances while not all important are essential and doubly as a Jew. We are the world’s oldest people chosen by god and our behavior and dress should reflect that. We are the royalty of the world and our girls should dress modestly as princess and our men as nobleman. For when a Jewish boy or girl stoops and dress like a commoner even Isaac couldn’t recognize them.

May it be god’s will that we soon see the day where we will be lifted up from among the nations and proudly walk together to the Holy Temple in our city of Jerusalem with Moshiach.

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Torah Thought-Chayia Sara Friday, Nov 13 2009

This week we read Parshas Chayia Sarah. Chayia Sarah literally means that the life of Sarah, however the beginning of the Parshah speaks about her death. As we know, the name of the weekly portion is significant, so why would the story and aftermath of our Matriarch Sarah’s death be called her life?

In explanation, lets understand what “Life” really means. What is life? A series of rooms filled with people? A test, a path, a purpose? And what is the meaning of life?

When telling the story of Yakov, in the end of sefer Bereishis, the Torah states “Yakov lo mes”, Jacob never died. This can’t be taken at face value. Rashi explains that though Yaakov physically died, his memory lives on through our actions, saying Mah Zaro Bchayim Af hu Bchayim – If his children are alive (in Torah and Mitzvos), he too is still alive.

Last year the entire world and the Jewish world in particular were torn apart by the horrific terrorist attack in Mumbai. During this attack the terrorists did not only attack places of strategic importance but specifically targeted a Synagogue, a Chabad House, a site of Judaism! The terrorists, may G-d erase their existence, slaughtered 6 precious neshomah in cold blood, save for Baby Moishe, the Rabbi’s 2 year old son, who was rescued by his nanny.

Rabbi and Mrs. Holzberg of blessed memory left a legacy of  kindness, love and self sacrifice, a legacy which will continue to grow and inspire and live on far into the future.

This is what is meant by Chayi Sarah! To live a life that it lasts well beyond your death.

The lessons of Sarah Emainu and the Holzbergs are clear. We must live a life that makes the world a better place then it was when we were created. We must light up this world of darkness like the Holzbergs did.

This wendsday is the Holzberg’s yarziet. I will be commemorating it together with their son at his upshernish where I will be making a closing on the entire mishnah. I ask you all to join by in some small way making the Hotlzberg’s lesson a part of your life.

May we soon see the day where G-d will avenge the blood of our brothers and sisters, and his light will shine all throughout the world with the coming of Moshiach.

This week’s Dvar Torah is dedicated in Memory of the Kodshim of Mumbai.

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Torah Thought Vayeira Friday, Nov 6 2009

This weeks Parshah is Parshas Vayeira. In the Parshah we continue to chronicle the life of Avroham. In fact, it a direct continuation of last weeks Parshah, seemingly telling two sides of the same story! Yet, the Torah chooses to separate them. Why would these two parshahs not be joined together?

The Torah is not a history book. It is the divine word of G-d and there is a reason for each anomaly. This is not just a second chapter in our forefather’s life but a unique self-contained entity with its own message.

But how do we find this elusive message? For the answer, we need to look no further then the name.
Last weeks Parshah was Lech Lecha: Go for yourself, describing Avroham’s trials, tribulations and travels leading up to his covenant with The Holy One Blessed Be He through circumcision.

Circumcision is more then a Mitzvah, it our most basic method of connection with G-d and includes in it the basic message of our religion. Spirituality is not confined to the heavenly realm but is tangible and even affects mans flesh and blood.

The Rebbe spoke many times against the ideal of shunning the world. Rather we must use every item at our disposal for the purpose of making this world a dwelling place for G-d.

That is why this Parshah’s name is Vayeira – and He appeared to him. This Parshah begins a new era in Avroham’s life, a time where his physical body became a vessel for spirituality through this covenant of circumcision. It was not merely another chapter but another life.

The lesson my friends is clear. As descendents of Avroham, Hashem’s presence is evident in our lives and everything we do. That is why Jewish children are drawn to kissing a mezuzah or the Torah. G-d appears to us the same way he did to our forefather the only difference is we can’t see him.

But as G-ds children, we can not be satisfied with this invisible connection. We must work to make our bodies proper receptacles for His glory and work to strengthen this age old connection. May we soon see the day where we too can see G-d as Avroham did like it says with the coming of Moshiach.

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Torah Thought-Lech Lecha Saturday, Oct 31 2009

This week’s Parshah is Lech Lecha. The Parshah begins with the narrative of Hashem telling Avram to leave the land of his fathers and travel to Israel, then called Cannan. Our sages have asked: Why did G-d choose Avram, and why did he have to go to Israel to fulfill his mission?

When The Holy One Blessed Be He gave Avram his instructions he said “Go for yourself”. (Lech Lecha) This terminology is puzzling, for one would think that Avram was far better off in his father’s house, surrounded by family and friends. The reason he had to uproot himself and his family was not for himself, but for the good of his descendants the good of the Jewish people.

Why did G-d choose Avram for this task? Why not Moses or Aaron, Samuel or David? Avram had one advantage over all others: Avram was a lover. His purpose (Avodah) in life was to help others physically and spiritually in any way he could. That was the root of the famous Tent of Avraham. Avram’s tent had four doors open in all directions welcoming everyone into his home. And it was this love that made him immediately accept this difficult mission, for the good of his children.

In this weeks Parshah we find a second anomaly. G-d changes Avrams name to Avraham or father of the nation. Through his travels for others he himself was transformed. This is the meaning of go for yourself through a struggle for others is the best way to grow yourself. But first you must Go. Leave your comfort zone and through this transform to one worthy of gods light.

In the merit of all those who Sacrificed for God through kindness form Avraham till today may we all be reunited in the land of Avraham and his children with Moshiach speedily in our days. Amen

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Torah Thought-Noach Friday, Oct 23 2009

This week’s Parshah, Parshas Noach, begins by stating that Noach was the tzadik in his generation. There is a great deal of discussion over what this means whether he was the best of the lot or had he had better influences he would have soared even higher.

Reb Zusha of Anopli once said: ” Do you know what scares me? I am not scared that when I appear before the heavenly court they will ask me why were you not like Avraham and Moshe. For my answer will be I am different then these great men I do not necessarily have those capabilities. But I do fear the question why were you not the best Zusha you could be.”

My friends, the message of Noach is clear. As the U.S Army (G-d bless them and their efforts to serve this fine nation) says: Be All You Can Be. Not every one will be a tzadik but everyone can be a tzadik in his community, in his generation. Be the best you that you can and then and only then are you called Favored by G-d.

In the end of this week’s Parshah we discuss the tower of Bavel. A group rose up in blasphemy before Hashem and his revenge was not to kill them but to separate them. Because when there is no community, all the lives in it are weakened.

May it be His will that we all join together as the best us possible and form a community, as it say “a community of priest and holy ones” and go out to greet Moshiach speedily in our days.

Good Shabbos

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