Water is used as a metaphor to describe Torah. Just as every person must have water in order to be sustained, Torah sustains Klal Yisrael. Without Torah, there is no substance to Klal Yisrael. Horav Mordechai Ilan z.l. suggests the following analogy between water and Torah. Human beings have had no input to the creation of water. It has the same essence and makeup that existed at the dawn of creation. It has maintained its unaltered state throughout time. In contrast, the earth has undergone changes as a result of mans’ participation in its development. The Torah has similarly maintained…
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The commentators explain the text of the pasuk in the following manner. Although an individual may defer to his own spiritual shortcomings, he, nonetheless, desires that his children proceed in the proper path. Regrettably, the concept of “do as I say, not as I do” has almost become a way of life for some people. Parents must be aware that they serve as the primary role models for their children. When these parents are questioned regarding their hypocritical behavior, their response is, “We personally have no proclivity to be observant, but we want our children to be G- d fearing…
The concept of history encompasses the perception that all events in the human experience are part of one long continuum. The Chumash begins with the story of Brias Ha’olam, creation, since that is the “genesis” of all historical events. Hashem is the G-d of creation and the G-d of history. He is the moral power whose Divine action guides world events. The Jewish “historian” sees Hashem’s Hand reflected in every aspect of history. He sees the continuous revelation of Hashem’s plan spanning the abyss of time. Everything has meaning. No right goes unrewarded, and no wrong goes without its due…
Klal Yisrael became a nation while still in the desert — without a land to live in. Hashem did not permit His people to grow as a nation under the influence of the land of Egypt and its inhabitants. “For Hashem’s portion is His people.” This people was to be and remain “the people of Hashem.” Horav S.R. Hirsch z.l. explains that common nations are linked to the soil of their land in the same manner that Am Yisrael is linked to Hashem. Other nations view their land as the foundation of their national existence. It serves as the home…
האזינו השמים ואדברה ותשמע הארץ אמרי פי. וערףכמטר לקחי תיזל כטל אמרתי כשעירים עלי דשא וכרבבים עלי עשב
There seems to be a disparity between the Torah’s description of Moshe Rabbeinu’s oratory to the Heaven and the way he addressed the earth. He says haazinu, “Give ear, ”pay attention, as if he was speaking directly to Heaven. Also, he uses the word, adabeirah, “I will speak,” which is a stronger, more direct form of communication. In contrast, Moshe tells the earth v’sishma, “and hear,” listen in, as I convey imrei fi, words of my mouth. It is almost as if Moshe is talking directly to Heaven, and he is requesting earth to listen in on the conversation. How…
יערף כמטר לקחי תזל כטל אמרתי
The Torah is compared to rain which descends from the heavens, reviving the seeds buried within the earth. The Sefas Emes notes a relationship between adamah, earth, and rain vis-à-vis Adam HaRishon, primordial man, his offspring, and the Torah which is compared to rain. The earth filled with seed is potential vegetation, grass, etc. It is only when rain descends on the adamah that this potential is released and the seeds begin to sprout and produce. Likewise, adam, man, created from adamah, is filled with tremendous potential. Will he realize his potential, or will it continue to lay dormant? Torah…
שיחת לו לא בניו מומם
Teshuvah is a wonderful thing, but sometimes it comes too late to prevent the damage that has already been done. There is no time limit to teshuvah. It is always accepted, thus allowing for a person who has lived a life of abandon to die and leave this world as a tzaddik, righteous person. There is, however, a collateral damage with regard to his children. This is a damage that is irreparable. When parents go along their merry way, living a life of abandon, a lifestyle that is antithetical to Torah, they must remember that their children are watching. When…
זכור ימות העולם בינו שנות דור ודור
Remembrance is a major part of Jewish service to Hashem. Much of our tradition is based upon remembering what once was, our highs and lows, joys and travails. Most important, however, is the ability to see the Yad Hashem, guiding Hand of G-d, throughout all that occurs. The Bostoner Rebbe, zl, put remembrance into perspective when he said, “Remembrance is important, but we must know what to remember. Even concerning those tragedies closest to our own time, such as the Holocaust, are we to remember the pain – or the self-sacrifice – what its victims died for – or what…
כי גוי אבד עצות המה ואין בהם תבונה
One would think that an individual who is unable to render sound advice lacks discernment. There is a reason we refer to it as “sage” advice. One who “can” renders advice. One who is unable to determine, make distinction, perceive, is not one whom we seek out for advice. If so, the pasuk is redundant. “For they are a nation bereft of counsel” – means that they are too foolish for their indiscretions. Why does the Torah add that “there is no discernment in them”? Obviously, they are not rocket scientists if they cannot figure out the course of events….
אם שנותי ברק חרבי ותאחז במשפט ידי אשיב נקם לצרי ולמשנאי אשלם
In the Midrash, Chazal derive from the words, v’socheiz ba’mishpat Yadi, “and My hand grasps judgment,” that Hashem’s meting out of punishment is unlike that of human judges. A human being who lets the arrow leave the bow, or allows the bullet to exit the chamber, knows that there is no turning back. Once the arrow/bullet is released it is “deadset” on reaching its target. There is no pulling back, no reprieve. It is too late. For Hashem, it is never too late. The Almighty can retrieve His arrows, call back His bullets at any time. Hashem is always in…