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וישכן ישראל בטח בדד עין יעקב

“Thus, Yisrael shall dwell secure, solitary, in the likeness of Yaakov.” (33:28)

Horav Yitzchok Aramah, z.l., the Baal Akeidas Yitzchak related a story to interpret this pasuk. The king of France became very ill. Doctors were brought in from near and far, and no one could devise a therapy for the king’s illness. The king of Spain heard about the French king’s dilemma and sent a message that he had a brilliant physician who could care for the king. He was a Jewish apostate who had left his faith in pursuit of fame and fortune. The French king refused to accept this doctor. He explained that if he was truly so proficient, it…

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ויבא משה וידבר את כל דברי השירה הזאת באזני העם הוא והושע בן נון

“Moshe came and spoke all the words of this Song in the ears of the people, he and Hoshea bin Nun.” (32:44)

Moshe Rabbeinu stood with his trusted disciple, Yehoshua, indicating that the transfer of leadership would soon occur. It was important for the people to see Yehoshua up there together with Moshe during Moshe’s lifetime, so that no one would say that he rose to power only after Moshe’s death. Interestingly, here the Torah refers to Yehoshua by his original name, Hoshea. Moshe had changed his student’s name prior to leaving for Eretz Yisrael with the meraglim, spies. The added letter was to protect him from the spies’ false counsel. Kli Yakar explains that since that whole generation was now gone, he…

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צור ילדך תשי ותשכח קל מחללך

“You ignored the Rock Who gave birth to you, and forgot G-d Who brought you forth.” (32:18)

Every faculty with which man is endowed can be used positively or negatively. Certainly, Hashem’s desire is that we use these G-d- given faculties for a positive goal. The Kotzker Rebbe, z.l., says that the ability to forget is a perfect example. Shikchah, forgetfulness, is a gift, a vehicle through which we are able to proceed beyond our past troubles. If we do not forget the unpleasant occurrences in our lives, they will gnaw at us, wreaking havoc upon our emotional stability. Regrettably, some of us use this gift to forget Hashem’s beneficence and patience with us. The Dubno Maggid, z.l.,…

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שאל אביך ויגדך זקניך ויאמרו לך

“Ask your father and he will relate to you, and your elders and they will tell you.” (32:7)

The Kelmer Maggid, z.l., addressed the redundancy of this pasuk homiletically. In earlier generations, children asked their father questions regarding religion, its codes and laws – and they received an answer. Regrettably, in contemporary times, many fathers are no longer “equipped” with the answer. Thus, they tell their children to turn to their elders, the grandfather who still remembers the answer. Let us for a moment analyze what has occurred. While it is true that many fathers are ill-prepared to respond to their children, what is the reason for this? Where were their fathers, the grandfathers, to whom we are now…

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זכר ימות עולם בינו שנות דר ודר שאל אביך ויגדך זקניך ויאמרו לך

“Remember the days of yore, understand the years of generation after generation; ask your father and he will relate it to you; your elders and they will tell you.” (32:7)

argum Yonasan interprets this pasuk as a reference to listening to daas Torah, the Torah’s perspective, as expounded by our gedolei Yisrael, Torah leaders. The answer to all of our questions is in the Torah. A talmid chacham, Torah scholar, using his acutely “Torah- developed” mind, is able to render a response to our every issue, regardless  of its mundane nature. Torah encompasses every aspect of our lives. We should look to it and its disseminators for guidance. Nachlas Tzvi cites a powerful story that illustrates the incredible depth of daas Torah: The story is about a young man who…

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הלד' תגמלו זאת עם נבל ולא חכם

“Is it to Hashem that you do this, o’ vile and unwise people?” (32:6)

In the list of middos, character traits, that can possibly define one’s personality, the middah of hakoras ha’tov, appreciation and expression of  gratitude,  is  of  pivotal  significance.  Relationships,  our  attitude toward Hashem and our fellowman, indicate our true character. Our Sages were meticulous in their “observance” of this middah. They made every  effort to “recognize” every bit of benefit they received – directly or inadvertently, from another person – and return the favor, always cognizant  of their “debt” of gratitude. Elisha Ha’navi was the beneficiary of a simple favor from the Shunamis. His appreciation of her gift compelled him to pray…

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“And I will conceal My face from them…it will say on that day, ‘Is it not because my G-d is not in my midst that these evils have come upon me?’” (31:17)

The Aseres Yemei Teshuvah, Ten Days of Repentance, the first ten days of the New Year, are meant to be the foundation-stone for the coming year. It is the standard upon which our behavior during the year should be based. Hashem is karov, close, to us during this time. Thus, this period should imbue us to develop a personal relationship with the Almighty – throughout the year. There is no room in Yiddishkeit for intermediaries. One should feel a sense of nearness with Hashem. Consequently, no Jew should ever feel alone. This idea is alluded to in the Divine warning conveyed…

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“At the end of seven years, in the set time of the year of Shemittah, during the Festival of Succos…You shall read this Torah before all Yisrael, in their ears.” (31:10-11)

The mitzvah of Hakheil, convening of Klal Yisrael at the beginning of the eighth year, immediately following the Shemittah year, is set at this time by design. The timing of this event, when all Jews gathered together to hear the Torah read by the Melech Yisrael, Jewish king, was scheduled to impart the greatest impression. What is unique about this time? Horav Mordechai Rogov, z.l., explains that after Klal Yisrael has experienced a year of Shemittah, a year of unparalleled faith and trust in the Almighty, they are now attuned to hear and accept what the Torah has to say. They…

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“And you shall choose life.” (30:19)

A poor man came to a businessman and asked for a loan: “I need one hundred dollars, and I am willing to pay seven percent interest on the loan. There is one stipulation however, I can only pay you one dollar a week,” said the poor man. “I appreciate your situation, but I cannot help you,” the businessman responded. “I must be paid all at once, not in installments.” Understandably, the poor man left quite upset. The businessman’s associate who witnessed the entire proceedings wondered why his friend would throw away an opportunity in order to make a quick profit. The…

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ויסמך את ידיו עליו ויצוהו

He leaned his hands upon him and commanded him. (27:23)

Rashi notes that, when Hashem instructed Moshe Rabbeinu to transfer his authority to Yehoshua by means of semichah, “leaning of hands”, the Almighty said, yadcha, “your hand” in the singular, implying one hand. Moshe, however, applied both hands, generously, like a vessel which is full and brimming over and filled him with his wisdom to become the nation’s next leader. Horav Avraham Pam, zl, (cited by Rabbi Sholom Smith in a Vort from Rav Pam) explains that when we bless someone by placing both hands on his head, it is an indication that it is executed with love. It is…

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