This week we are privileged to read the portion of Voeschanan. The Shabbos is also called “Shabbos Nachamu”. Nachamu means be consoled (comforted). This name comes from the words in our haftorah “Nachamu, Nachamu Ami" - console, console my nation, says Hashem. This portion begins with Moshe expressing his desire to enter the Holy Land - Eretz Yisroel, and Hashem's refusal to grant him this wish. Hashem told Moshe to go up on the highest point of the mountain and from there he will see Eretz Yisroel, but he will not enter. Hashem commands Moshe to strengthen Yehoshua, for he will bring the Jewish people into Eretz Yisroel and they will inhabit the land. We learn the importance of remembering the event at Mt Sinai. In this week's portion the ten commandments are repeated, and the first portion of Shma is also written in this portion.
The Tolna Rebbe OBM, once asked an obvious question. We find that Moshe begged Hashem to allow him to enter the Holy land and Hashem responds so sharply, "don't continue to talk to me on this topic"! Why such a sharp response ? The question is even greater, because the whole reason that Moshe wanted to go into Eretz Yisroel was only, so that he can perform the mitzvohs that one can only perform in the Holy Land, so why did he deserve such a sharp response? Says the Tolna Rebbe, Moshe was fascinated by the Mitzvah of Yishuv Eretz Yisroel, inhabiting the land of Israel. This is a mitzvah that one can fulfill around the clock every second of the day just by living in Eretz Yisroel. Moshe had an extreme desire to be able to fulfill such a mitzvah. Hashem had other plans for Moshe, but in order not disappoint his great desire to fulfill a 24/7 mitzvah, he commanded him not to talk to him again regarding this topic. Now, by just merely refraining from talking about this topic he was fulfilling a mitzvah every second. So what seems to be a harsh response, was actually a method of rewarding Moshe with the possibility to be able to observe a 24/7 mitzvah.
May we merit to be consoled by Hashem speedily, with the rebuilding of Yerusholayim and the holy Temple.
Friday, July 27, 2018
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Tefillos for Hagaon Harav Reuven Feinstein and His Rebbetzin
We regret to inform you that Harav Reuven Feinstein, Rosh Hayeshiva Mesivta Tiferes Yerushalayim and Chaver Hanesius of Agudas Yisroel of America, as well as his Rebbetzin, were in a car accident earlier today. The Rosh Hayeshiva is reportedly badly bruised but in stable condition. The Rebbetzin reportedly has internal bleeding and is undergoing surgery.
Please say Tehillim for Sholom Reuven ben Shima and Chava Sorah bas Ita Devora, l'refuah shleimah b'soch she'ar cholei Yisroel, and may we share besoros tovos.
Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel
Executive Vice President
Agudath Israel of America
Please say Tehillim for Sholom Reuven ben Shima and Chava Sorah bas Ita Devora, l'refuah shleimah b'soch she'ar cholei Yisroel, and may we share besoros tovos.
Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel
Executive Vice President
Agudath Israel of America
Friday, July 20, 2018
Dvar Torah - Dvorim - From Rabbi Yitzchok Wolpin
This week are privileged to begin the fifth book of Torah, the book of Dvorim, also known as Mishne Torah (second Torah). Moshe began preparing for his departure from this world. The last thirty six days of his life were dedicated to teaching and reviewing laws of Torah, and rebuking Klal Yisroel for their inappropriate deeds. This portion begins with hints to all the events which took place over forty years of their journey thru the desert.
This portion is always read on the Shabbos preceding Tisha B’Av. We must realize that all the tragic events which took place throughout the years of our exile and the fact that we are still in exile, is due to our lack of effort to get closer to Hashem. The Baal Shem Tov teaches that these weeks are specifically auspicious for reaching spiritual heights. The Magid of Kozhnitz translates the verse in Eicho, “all those who pursue her, reach her Bein Hamtzorim”, this is referring to those who pursue closeness to the shechina, can find her Bein Hamtzorim. This is compared to a king who left his palace, while he is away from home he is more accessible.
This year the Ninth of Av falls on Shabbos. All the laws of Tisha B’Av are delayed until after Shabbos. The fast and all other rules are observed beginning Saturday eve until Sunday night. The Talmud in Megila 5b states tha Rabeinu Hakodosh (R’ Yehuda Hanosi) wanted to totally annul Tisha B’av when it fell on Shabbos, due to the fact that it is delayed in honor of Shabbos and one it is anyway postponed, let it be annulled. However, the sages did not agree. Regarding the passing of Rebbe, the Talmud Yerushalmy tells us that Rabeinu Hakodosh passed away on a Friday afternoon and despite the fact that everyone attended his funeral and burial on Friday afternoon, there was still time to cook for and prepare food for Shabbos. The sun set was delayed for several hours. Says the Bnei Yisoschor, these two stories are related. Because Rebbe stood up for the honor of Shabbos, the Shabbos now, after his passing, defended his honor.
Although it is Tisha B'av, Shabbos takes precedence. A hint to this is found in this portion. In Devorim 1/6 the Torah says Hashem Eloikenu diber eileinu bichorev Leimor, Rav lochem sheves bohor haze - the Tiferes Shloime states that this verse can be explained slightly different than the literal translation. Hashem spoke to us Bichorev - when the Temple was destroyed (from the word Churbon, destruction), Rav lochem- it is great for you, Sheves - are the same letters as Shabbos, meaning that this Shabbos is great, bohor haze - in this great mountain, referring to the yetzer hora which is compared to a mountain. By strengthening our commitment and appreciation for Shabbos we will be strengthened in this golus and merit to withstand all evil.
Let us yearn for closeness to Hashem, by strengthening our commitment to the sanctity of Shabbos and thereby we will bring about the ultimate redemption.
Gut Shabbos
This portion is always read on the Shabbos preceding Tisha B’Av. We must realize that all the tragic events which took place throughout the years of our exile and the fact that we are still in exile, is due to our lack of effort to get closer to Hashem. The Baal Shem Tov teaches that these weeks are specifically auspicious for reaching spiritual heights. The Magid of Kozhnitz translates the verse in Eicho, “all those who pursue her, reach her Bein Hamtzorim”, this is referring to those who pursue closeness to the shechina, can find her Bein Hamtzorim. This is compared to a king who left his palace, while he is away from home he is more accessible.
This year the Ninth of Av falls on Shabbos. All the laws of Tisha B’Av are delayed until after Shabbos. The fast and all other rules are observed beginning Saturday eve until Sunday night. The Talmud in Megila 5b states tha Rabeinu Hakodosh (R’ Yehuda Hanosi) wanted to totally annul Tisha B’av when it fell on Shabbos, due to the fact that it is delayed in honor of Shabbos and one it is anyway postponed, let it be annulled. However, the sages did not agree. Regarding the passing of Rebbe, the Talmud Yerushalmy tells us that Rabeinu Hakodosh passed away on a Friday afternoon and despite the fact that everyone attended his funeral and burial on Friday afternoon, there was still time to cook for and prepare food for Shabbos. The sun set was delayed for several hours. Says the Bnei Yisoschor, these two stories are related. Because Rebbe stood up for the honor of Shabbos, the Shabbos now, after his passing, defended his honor.
Although it is Tisha B'av, Shabbos takes precedence. A hint to this is found in this portion. In Devorim 1/6 the Torah says Hashem Eloikenu diber eileinu bichorev Leimor, Rav lochem sheves bohor haze - the Tiferes Shloime states that this verse can be explained slightly different than the literal translation. Hashem spoke to us Bichorev - when the Temple was destroyed (from the word Churbon, destruction), Rav lochem- it is great for you, Sheves - are the same letters as Shabbos, meaning that this Shabbos is great, bohor haze - in this great mountain, referring to the yetzer hora which is compared to a mountain. By strengthening our commitment and appreciation for Shabbos we will be strengthened in this golus and merit to withstand all evil.
Let us yearn for closeness to Hashem, by strengthening our commitment to the sanctity of Shabbos and thereby we will bring about the ultimate redemption.
Gut Shabbos
Sunday, July 15, 2018
BARUCH DAYAN HAEMES
One of the Gedolei Haposkim in Eretz Yisroel was Niftar on Layl Shabbos. Maran Harav Sraya Dublitzky, who resided in Bnei Brak was niftar on Friday night at the age of 93.
A talmid of Maran the Chazon Ish zt"l and of many Sefardi Mekubalim he was a light for the Bnei Brak community. The Levaya was today attended by thousands.
He authored close to sixty seforim the dealt with many contemporary Halachic issues.
Yehi Zichro Baruch - Utenu Kavod Ltorah
A talmid of Maran the Chazon Ish zt"l and of many Sefardi Mekubalim he was a light for the Bnei Brak community. The Levaya was today attended by thousands.
He authored close to sixty seforim the dealt with many contemporary Halachic issues.
Yehi Zichro Baruch - Utenu Kavod Ltorah
Monday, July 2, 2018
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