SHEMA; IT’S ALL HIS WILL
Gleaned from the thoughts of Rabbi Aaron Lopiansky
Our Sages tell us that when Yaakov met his beloved son Yosef, the one on whom rested the destiny of his people, the one whom he thought had perished years earlier, he recited the Shema. Yosef, on the other hand, did not recite the Shema. If their first encounter generates inspiration for Shema, why does Yosef not recite the Shema?
HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT
In this week’s Parsha, Vayigash, we find for the first time since the end of Vayishlach, that HaShem speaks to Yaakov and that Yaakov speaks to HaShem. It is striking that once Yaakov returns to the Land of his fathers, to the home of his father and establishes the monument which he promised, HaShem goes into hiding and does not reappear until Yaakov leaves the Land on his way to Egypt.
Continue reading Vayigash 5779Click for Shlomo Horowitz’s presentation of the Israeli Raid on Iraq’s Nuclear Reactor
When one stands on the same location where a miracle happened to him or his parents there is a special bracha to recite. The same is true on Chanukah when lighting the menorah we recite a bracha commemorating the miracle HaShem performed for our ancestors.
Remembering the miracles HaShem performs for us draws us closer to Him and that closeness opens up yet more channels of salvation.
Reb Shlomo’s presentation is a most magnificent pirsumi nesa. Enjoy and become inspired!
Paysach Diskind
THEY JUST DON’T MIX
Our Sages teach us that the rise of Antiochus and his evil decrees occurred because there was an overwhelming hisrashlus (lack of passion and alacrity) in our performance of mitzvos. It is noteworthy that Chazal do not say that there was diminished observance, only a diminished passion. As long as the mitzvos are being performed why is passion so critical? Also, how did it diminish?
Continue reading Vayeishev 5783IT HAS NEVER BEEN MORE EXCITING
I am often asked how we can trust HaShem will support us if we may not de-serve His support? Can we anticipate His support if we do not deserve it? I think the answer lies in the first statement a Jew makes upon waking up every morning.
In this week’s Parsha, Vayeishev, Yehuda admits to being the one who was with Tamar, his daughter in-law. Our Sages point out that Yehuda was the first to admit in public, in spite of the embarrassment it brought. It is noteworthy that his name derives from the word “l’hodos’ to admit.
EVERY SPOKE IS NEEDED
This week’s Parsha, Vayeishev, presents us with the tragic story of Yosef and the brothers. When Yaakov ‘realizes’ that Yosef was killed by a wild animal he refuses to accept consolation. He continues to mourn with no end. The question is; the To-rah sets a limit how much mourning one may do. Excessive mourning is actually prohibited. Why, then, does Yaakov refuse to accept consolation over Yosef death?
Continue reading Vayeishev 5779THE BLIND HAVE DEEPER INSIGHT
Adapted from Rabbi Aaron Lopiansky’s talk
I am so grateful to the readership of TableTalk as you provide me the opportunity of ‘pirsumei nisa’ on this beautiful holiday of Chanuka. In light of the holiday I wish to dedicate this thought to Chanukah rather than to this week’s Parsha, Mikeitz.
Chanukah celebrates our survival and ultimate triumph over the threat of assimilation into the Greek culture. Although we achieved both military and political victories against the Greeks, it is the religious victory that we celebrate. The reason for this is because the criteria of being worthy of establishing a holiday on our calendar is that the event must be an historically alter-ing event. For example, the Exodus transformed us into a people. The receiving of the Torah gave definition to our mission as a people and so on.
THE SMALL WEAK FLAME CONTINUES TO BURN
Among the many lessons of Chanukah is the power of the minority. We find this quality is underscored in the Al Hanisim that is said multiple times a day throughout Chanukah. The composers of this prayer equate the purity and the righteousness of our people to their being weak and few in numbers. Certainly, purity and righteous-ness qualify us and make us worthy of victory. But how does being weak and few in numbers make us worthy of victory?
Continue reading Mikeitz 5779