Inspirational Thoughts on the Parsha

Hashem remembers Noach and stops the Mabul, thus transforming judgment into compassion and creating a new reality in this world . This enabled a world that normally conceals G-dliness and ultimately becomes extinct to become another reality. The new worldly reality is one which reveals the power of Hashem; where seasons change, where day and night never ceases. In our own lives the ultimate servic...

Unity represents holiness; both the Sukkah and the Lulav and Esrog represent unity. The holiness of the Sukkah penetrates the physical wall which become holy. The Lulav’s holiness is represented in the four different kinds, each one representing unity its own way, and then we bring them together in unity. However, there’s a difference between the two. The Sukkah in its oneness, is an overwhelming...

During the year, if you sin then you do do Tshuvah however on Yom Kippur, everybody has to do Tshuvah because Yom Kippur elevates us to a place beyond this world a very heightened state were we get to see our potential and we’re like angels we’re at that time we realize that we must change and that person we were yesterday is not the person we want to be today. Tshuvah as well is beyond time becau...

The reason for not observing many customs from Shabbos Mevorchim Chodesh Tishrei through Rosh Hashana is enlightening. They are: blessing the new month, mentioning on Rosh Hashanah that it is Rosh Chodesh, starting the beginning of the Torah on Rosh Hashanah and blowing the Shofar erev Rosh Hashanah. This is to weaken the resolve of the Satan, since he sees that we are so confident that we are not...

The Bal Shem Tov tells us that on the Shabbos before Rosh Hashanah, Hashem blesses the Jewish people, and with that power, they bless the rest of the year. The blessing that He gives is in this week’s parsha “Nezavim” -that you are standing strong and firm. He gives us the strength, the firmness and unwavering power of the Creator, and with this power, we have the strength to constantly move and g...

There is a discussion about marriage. What is the cause and what is the effect? Is the cause the man marrying a woman and therefore she acquires the money/ring, or does she acquire the money/ring and that causes for the marriage to be established? Regardless, our relationship with Hashem is like a marriage and there are two ways to serve Him. One is when the keddusin/marriage comes first. Kadosh m...

The Torah tells us that man is likened to a tree that grows tall, strong and independent, yet forever remembers and remains connected to its source. This is opposed to the animal and human kingdom that separate from their source at birth, produce as well even though they are also always connected to their source, but dies. However, after the season, the tree, remains connected to its source and is...

There were two stages concerning the Jewish people. The first being in the Midbar, where there was more of a spiritual service. They were occupied with learning Torah and they ate the Mun, but weren’t really satisfied. They were only allowed to eat meat when it was utilized for a Karbon. That changed when they entered Eretz Yisroel. Then Hashem wanted them to engage with the world. It was OK to de...

Let’s examine learning Torah versus other mitzvos. The main focus with other mitzvahs is the action, taking a physical object and elevating it to holiness. Although intentions are important, it’s not a prerequisite. However, when it comes to Torah, the vital foundation of this mitzvah is humility, which is attained when we realize that a limited human mind cannot comprehend the wisdom of Hashem. T...

When describing both who destroys the Bais Hamikdash and who will ultimately rebuild it, the Midrash uses the same terminology. Both are referred to as lions, although one was an evil person and one will be G-d. This is because although one may not destroy anything, especially from the Bais Hamikdash, however, if one’s intention is to destroy in order to rebuild, then it’s not considered destroyin...

Because each mitzvah that you do is so important and special, sometimes Hashem will rearrange nature just for you. This is evident in the story of when the Jewish people retrieved the spoils of the war with Midyan. Hashem commanded an accounting of all the spoils, which came to 840,000 animals, and then to split them. Half should go to the Warriors-half the Jewish people- and then take taxes from...

If we see someone doing a good act with the motive, should we discourage them? The story of Pincos tells us although he was being zealot for God the other Shifatim were saying maybe the reason he was the only one to get up and do something was because he inherited from his grandfather Yisro to be cruel, and therefore the Torah tells us that no he inherited from his grandfather Aron, who nature was...

What is a fearless leader? Is it somebody that’s not afraid? Balak was the leader of Moav. He saw the Jewish people wipe out the two kings that were paid to protect him. His fear turned into panic, which he displayed to everybody, causing them to ultimately get wiped out. The leader of the Jewish people, Moshe Rabeinu, was also afraid that the king Og would be protected in the merit of Avraham Ave...

What is a true leader? Rashi explains the reason why at certain times when the Jewish people sent messengers to other nations to achieve peace, we credit Moshe Rabainu and other times we credit the Jewish people. Moshe and the Jewish people are interchangeable; they are one. A true leader/Nasie is not one that does things for the public, but rather is someone whose essence is the people. Therefore...

Just as Hashgacha Pratis exists for a Tzadik, where Hashem is involved in every detail of his life, similarly the same is true for an individual who may have drifted away. The only difference is that with a Tzadik it’s revealed and with a drifter who covers his eyes, so to speak, Hashem conceals Hashgacha Pratis so that it might appear that things are being run according to nature. Therefore, occa...

The mitzvah of Challah reminds us to recognize that everything we have in our lives comes from Hashem, and therefore, we give Him the first of our sustenance. This juxtaposes the idea of Avoda Zara, which represents someone who believes that there is another power in the world/nature that controls things. When one performs the mitzvah of Challah, that destroys the idea of Avodah Zara. That is why...

Aron HaCohen’s mind is weakened because he’s not part of the inauguration process of the Mishkan. Hashem says “I swear by your life that your lighting the menorah will be even greater”. What really bothered Aron was that it appeared that leaders gather only at a special time to bring gifts and encouragement- meaning that this is only directed for great people that are about to embark on a great se...

The purpose of Matan Torah was to draw down the holiness of Hashem into this physical world. Moshe Rabaynu appears to the Jewish people and he tells them three things. First, that Hashem chooses them as a special nation. Second, that they are ministers in charge of the reality around them; representing serving Hashem through the physical mundane world by harnessing and elevating everything for hol...

There are three ways to give Tzedakah, corresponding to three approaches to serving Hashem. In the first way it’s about the giver-to train him to be giving. Here we tell the person to give up to 20%. The second level is when somebody approaches you for help. Now it’s about the receiver. Therefore, you must push yourself and give him even more than 20%. The third level, says the Alte Rebbe in Tanya...

The ultimate reason of being on this world is to make a difference and to change the world. Our Parsha talks about somebody who is struggling with the mitzvah of Shmitah, asking how will he have food to eat if he doesn’t plow? Or somebody being sold as a slave to a non-Jew, questioning if he still has to keep the mitzvahs. Yet the name of the Parsha is Behar-“ mountain”- representing the mountain...

When the Torah mentions Shulamis Bas Divri, it says that she was not perfect in the area of Tznius, however, all the other women were perfect in that area, and therefore, that’s a praise for the Jewish people. The question arises that since Torah never speaks negatively, even about an unkosher animal, why would the Torah say something negative about her? The answer is that through mentioning her,...

The Chazal tell us that nothing in this world was created randomly, and that everything in this world, is created for a reason and a purpose. Based on this, the Bal Shem Tov says that everything we hear and see in this world is there to help us serve Hashem. The Parsha says if you see another Jew in trouble and you could help him you must. The lesson is the very fact that you see another Jew in tr...

What is Emunah? Why is it that in its honor that the Jews were released from Mitzraim? Other nations in the world also acknowledged a God - but with a difference. For them their first reality, is the existence of a world, which then logically assumes a creator that created the world. Their God is a limited one and therefore they always try to explain everything according to nature, unless they’re...

The laws of a Metzora are split into two. First we need a wise man who is proficient with all the laws, to decide if this person is impure. Second, we must have a Cohen to actually proclaim him impure. Although he might not know the laws, but because the Cohen is recognized as someone who blesses the Jewish people with love, and is known as a person of kindness, we are assured that he will be cert...

Moshe Rabbeinu represents truth, which is constant and unwavering -no matter the circumstance. Aharon Hakohen represents kindness, which represents receiving everybody on their level. Everyone is different, and that’s why Moshe Rabbeinu wanted Aharon Hakohen to eat from all the Karbanos on the day of the inauguration of the Mishkan, even though he was in mourning. In a deeper sense, Aaron Hakohen...