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“Hashem spoke to Moshe on that very day… ‘Ascend to this mount of Avarim… and die on the mountain.’” (32:48- 50)

Rashi tells us that the phrase, “b’etzem ha’yom ha’zeh,” “on that very day,” is mentioned in two other places. When Noach entered the Teivah, Ark, the Torah writes that he entered “on that very day”(Bereishis 7:13). Also, when the Jews left Egypt, the Torah writes that they left “on that very day” (Shemos 12:51). The reason for emphasizing when they left and when Noach entered the Ark, is to demonstrate that even if the people would have said, “We will not let Noach leave; we will not let the Jews depart Egypt,” Hashem enabled them to leave in the middle…

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“For it (the Torah) is not an empty thing for you, for it is your life.” (32:47)

When the Torah tells us that the Torah is our life, it means just that – it is our source of living. Without the Torah we are not alive. A parent may say to his child, “You are my life,” but despite the overwhelming affection the parent is trying to convey, his very life and existence are not dependent upon his child. The Torah, however, is meticulous in everything it says. Therefore, if the Torah asserts that it is our life, it is certainly no exaggeration. Horav Mordechai Gifter, z.l., cites the Rambam who states that all physical matter falls…

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“Ask your father and he will relate it to you.” (32:7)

Parents are always there for us – or, at least, they should be. They advise, direct, guide and offer support and comfort – when necessary. Parents provide our most enduring form of support, being there for us even after they are no longer here in this world. How often does one go to the cemetery and “unload” his troubles to his parents and leave somewhat relieved? We entreat them to be meilitz yosher, intercede, in our behalf – and they do. I recently came across a poignant story which illustrates this phenomenon. The story is about a young girl who…

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“May my teaching drop like rain; may my utterance flow like the dew.” (32:2)

Ibn Ezra explains the simile to rain and dew as meaning that the words of Torah should penetrate the nation and make it fruitful, just as the rain and dew nourish the earth. Horav Mordechai Gifter, z.l., notes that rain and dew have an effect only on earth, but not on stones. Only soil contains the requisite minerals and nutrients which are conducive to growth, while stones do not. Likewise, in order to be successful, a rebbe must have someone with whom to work. The student must possess certain basics upon which to build. First and foremost is attitude. The weakest…

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