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“Any matter that is too difficult for you, you shall bring to me and I shall hear it.” (1:17)

Many people want to lead, but most are incapable – nonetheless that does not seem to stop them. A rav should not be remote, inflexible and uncaring. He should have a profound influence on the daily lives of his flock. Yet, this does not stop many from seeking positions of leadership. A rav should certainly be a scholar, but not every scholar should be a rav. A rav should be people-oriented, a communicator, friendly, compassionate and sensitive to the needs of all his members. Yet, lacking these criteria does not stop certain people from assuming positions of leadership. Horav Eliezer M….

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“How can I alone carry your contentiousness, your burdens, and your quarrels?” (1:12)

Parashas Devarim is always read on the Shabbos which precedes Tisha B’Av. This is due to the word eichah, how, the opening word of Megillas Eichah, which is read on Tisha B’Av. Indeed,  the word eichah has become synonymous with Tisha B’Av and mourning. In the Midrash Eichah, Chazal say three prophesized using the word eichah: Moshe Rabbeinu, Yeshayah HaNavi, and Yirmiyahu HaNavi. Moshe said, “How  can I alone carry your burdens?” Yeshayah said, “How did (Klal Yisrael) become like a harlot?” (Yeshayah 1:21). Yirmiyahu said, “How does she (Klal Yisrael) sit alone?” (Eichah 1:1). What is the Midrash alluding to?…

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“These are the words that Moshe spoke to all Yisrael.” (1:1)

Rebuke is far from simple. It is difficult for the one who renders the admonishment and difficult for he who is being reproached. In his commentary to Sefer Mishlei 9:8, the Gaon M’Vilna writes that tochachah, rebuke, is like a mirror that presents an individual with a clear picture of his real self. He can either look at the image and accept what it shows, or he can ignore the image and go about his business as usual. The Sefas Emes says that the word tochachah has its root in the word toch, which means inside. The purpose of rebuke is…

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“These are the words that Moshe spoke to all Yisrael.” (1:1)

At the end of the fortieth year of their sojourn in the wilderness, Moshe Rabbeinu is about to take leave of the flock that he had nurtured. He commenced his rebuke on Rosh Chodesh Shevat and culminated his words on the day that he died – the seventh of Adar. The Sifri comments that Moshe purposely decided to admonish the people close to the time when he was leaving this world. He learned this practice from Yaakov Avinu, who also chided his sons prior to his death. Chazal suggest four reasons why one might leave rebuke until the end – close…

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