Inspirational Thoughts on the Parsha

The word mitzvah comes from the word “Tzav” to command. In addition, it also comes from the word “Tzavsa Vecheebor”, which is defined as connection because it is through the commandments -to fulfill mitzvos- that we achieve a relationship and a connection with Hashem. This is emphasized by the very fact that He commands us even before we actually act upon His command. This applies to every single...

Why is it that that when families would donate wood for the Mizbayach it was an even greater celebration than the one for the Karbon itself? The concept of bringing a Karbon is sacrificing oneself and subjugating oneself to Hashem. However, the actual Karbon represents the specific area that you are attempting to improve, thus the laws vary according to each Karbon. However, there is no guarantee...

We finish the book of Shmos with the words “in all their journeys“. Interestingly, ‘journeys’ actually refers to their encampments. The explanation is because it is specifically from the encampment that one could move on to one’s journey. So too in life, there are stages that seem like an encampment, we are not moving anywhere. Then there are stages in our life when we are moving and growing. Howe...

The Neshama is like a fire. Just as a fire burns towards the heavens, wanting to be consumed within its source, similarly does the Neshama want to be consumed within its source. However, the avodah/work of lighting the fire of your Neshama is ultimately not about expiring, but about redirecting that energy back into this physical mundane world. So too, in the Bais Hamikdash, when they lit a fire t...

Being that we are all believers in Hashem- that he created the world and everything in it, and that he recreates constantly and gives us everything we have at every moment- how is it possible for a Jew to sin and rebel against Hashem? The answer is that we forget. Therefore, although Hashem forgives us every time we turn to Him, we must be proactive and put constant reminders in our life to remind...

The menorah in the Bais Hamikdash wasn’t about bringing in light, but rather about sharing the light of Kedusha-the Schena (Divine presence) to the rest of the world. Therefore, the window structure of the windows in the Bais Hamikdash were narrow from the interior and widened outward, indicative of this idea. Similarly, one of the molded designs on the menorah were cups, as opposed to a barrel, w...

The two Parshas of Yisro and Mishpotim represent the two parts of our service to Hashem. First is the idea of Yisro , which connects to Matan Torah, where the Jews experienced an overwhelming and powerful revelation of Hashem. This event represents the idea of Emunah, which although powerful, could remain disconnected and aloof from the individual. Then there is the part of understanding and learn...

Although Torah is similar to other wisdom, it contains something extra and very unique. Torah comes from the word Hora-ah, which means ‘teaching’- since it doesn’t suffice to only remain an idea, but must be acted upon. The reason is because Torah is the wisdom of Hashem, which is truth, and truth rings true throughout. Therefore, when one needs to make a Torah judgment, he must be extremely caref...

The Jewish people are on a high after so many miracles. Amalak then comes to wage war with them. Moshe Rabaynu sends his student Yehoshua to fight the war while he ascends the mountain to Daven and fast. The Torah tells us that Moshe’s hands became weak, because he wasn’t sufficiently diligent in the mitzvah-since he sent somebody else to fight the war. The lesson learned is that if another Jew is...

As the Jewish people are getting ready to leave Mitzraim and to be formed into a nation, Hashem tells us to bring a Karbon Pesach- each one in his own home. This signified bringing holiness into each one’s home- which is the mission statement of the Jewish people. Hashem wants a dwelling place in this world, mainly in the Bais Hamikdash, the most holy place in the world. That is why all other Karb...

The true meaning of Geula reaches beyond the fact that you are physically or spiritually free to learn Torah and perform mitzvos. The focus is not about yourself, but rather that the service reaches beyond that - it is all about Hashem. When the focus is about yourself, a limited being, then that actually limits the service. When the purpose centers around Hashem, an unlimited being, then so does...

The objective of Galus is to reveal the concealment of our Neshama. In Galus most of our mental and emotional capacities aren’t necessarily in sync with Hashem, yet It reveals the core of our Nashama, prompting us even to the point of Mesiras Nefesh, self sacrifice. Similarly with Shemos, a name doesn’t really represent who you are, yet one can even awaken an unconscious, person by calling his nam...

The importance of self motivation: Yakov Avinu gathers together his sons to bless them, and then wants to reveal to them when Moshiach is coming. However, Hashem prevents him from doing so because revealing when moshiach is coming is what urges and motivates us to fulfill mitzvahs and to serve Hashem. Ideally the Geulah must be completely self-motivated, without any outside forces propelling us to...

The Jews settle in Goshen, which is in the land of Mitzraim and take ownership over it. This seems conflicting since earlier Hashem had told Avraham that his children would be foreigners in a ‘strange land’ .Therefore, the Torah relates that Goshen is in the land of Mitzraim even though we know that already. This is to teach us that although we are living in Goshen, which is the nicest part of tow...

When things are tough, we pray to Hashem. However, it is important to realize that even when things are seemingly natural occurrences and we are acting accordingly- just as we should, in truth, we still have to realize that everything is orchestrated by Hashem and we must pray. This is the lesson that Yakov gave the Shfatim before their return, to Mitzraim. Although everything that transpired appe...

The miracle of Chanuka is so powerful that not only were the Jews victorious over the many and mighty Greeks, but there is more to that victory than meets the eye. Many Jews had assimilated with the Greeks and although many had been forced to assimilate, yet they were still victorious. Seemingly, Hashem made the miracle even for those very few Jews that were openly proud to be Jewish. This powerfu...

The 19th of Kislev marks the day of liberation for the Alter Rebbe whose life’s mission was to spread the wellsprings of Torah to the outside world. Moreover, the goal was to not only expose the world to the inspiration of the wellsprings, but to actually infuse the world with the wellsprings themselves, thereby breaking all boundaries that exist in Torah, in the Nashama of the Jew, and the world....

It is specifically through Zebulon, the businessman that Yakov‘s home, a home of Torah is established. Hashem desires to have a dwelling place in the lowest of worlds where G-dliness is concealed. By observing Torah and mitzvos in this world- regardless of the many obstacles which present themselves, this, in fact, is what testifies that Torah is eternal. Similarly the eternity of Torah is express...

Yitzchok is getting old and wants to bless his children. He becomes blind. One of the reasons given is so that he should not be able to see, enabling him to bless Yakov rather than Esav. The question arises as to why Hashem didn’t just inform Yitzchok that Esav was a bad person, why make him blind for 57 years? The answer is, that although Yakov had an idea who Esav was, Hashem did not want to spe...

Although hard work often breeds success, true success comes only from Hashem Himself. Torah teaches us that Hashem brought Joseph success. The same happened with Eleazer, Avrohom’s trusted servant. The fact that he was submissive to Avraham brought him tremendous success in his mission to acquire a wife for Yitzchok. We derive from this that through praying to Hashem for success and submitting to...

There is a difference between a covenant made between two people and one made with G-d. One made between humans is limited and has the ability to change, however, a convenant with G-d, Who is unlimited, remains forever. That is why Hashem commanded of Avrohom to have a Bris Milah for himself and his children, so that they could be entered in a covenant that would last forever. Additionally, that’s...

Hashem gives the land of Eretz Yisrael to Avraham Avenu for him and his children, as a gift and inheritance forever; thus the Jews make the land Eretz Hakodesh, a holy land. This happened twice before. Once when the Jews entered the land, the first time- by conquering it . The second time by repossessing the land. This represents two ways of serving Hashem. The first is compared to the service of...

Noach didn’t pray for salvation for his generation because he felt that he didn’t have the merit of our forefathers to depend on. It is significant to derive a lesson from this, to pray for our fellow Jews, regardless of the circumstances. Even if sometimes you may attempt to reach out to uplift them, and inspire them, yet they are just not connecting, we shouldn’t give up; but rather pray to Hash...

Israel belongs to the Jews. G-d created the world, and he gave it (Israel) to the Jewish people. In our personal lives, there are two ways to serve Hashem. The more elevated way is through learning Torah and doing Mitzvahs. The second is by utilizing the mundane parts of our life- such as eating, sleeping and working - to serve Hashem - thus transforming the material world into a spiritual one. Al...

There are two ways to serve Hashem. One way is to set aside times to serve Him- you learn, do Mitzvos here and there, but the rest of the day is for yourself. The second way is when I am connected and conscious of Him when I am learning, Davening, or even just going about my day while realizing the Hashgacha in everything; that everything that I see or person that I meet or place that I go to is f...