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Home -> Vayikra -> 5778

וכל קרבן מנחתך במלח תמלח

Roberto Szerer
In 5778, Vayikra

You shall salt your every meal-offering with salt. (2:13)

You shall salt your every meal-offering with salt. (2:13) The Bris Melach, Covenant of Salt, which Hashem made with the earthly waters after He created a division between the waters above and the waters below, is the reason that salt is included in the Temple service. In his Elef HaMagen, Horav Eliezer Papo, zl, author of the Pele Yoeitz, writes that the words melach/timlach have the same letters as mechal/timchol, forgiveness. He comments that the greatest korban, sacrifice, one can bring before Hashem is to be maavir al midosav, voluntarily surrender his right (or feeling that he is right) to…

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Home -> 5778 -> Tetzaveh

והם יקחו את הזהב

Roberto Szerer
In Tetzaveh, 5778

They shall take the gold. (28:5)

The artisans who fashioned the Bigdei Kehunah, Priestly vestments, were enjoined to collect the gold that was to be the rough material from which these vestments were fashioned. At first glance, it is surprising that men of such distinction should be involved in a task that seems unnecessary. Why could the people who contributed the gold not bring their contribution to the artisans? Since when is there a “pick-up” service? We find a similar idea with regard to the metzora, in which, at every step of the purification process, the Kohen himself must be involved. Horav Moshe Feinstein, zl, offers…

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Home -> 5778 -> Tetzaveh

ועשו בגדי קדש לאהרן אחיך לכבוד ולתפארת

Roberto Szerer
In Tetzaveh, 5778

You shall make garments of sanctity for Aharon your brother, for glory and splendor. (28:2)

The Kohanim were attired in special vestments that were resplendent in their beauty, as befitting the spiritual mentors of Klal Yisrael, individuals who served in the Sanctuary and represented the nation. They also represented the glory of their mission and the One before Whom they served. The Kohanim were the agents of the Jewish People who served Hashem on their behalf. Halachah teaches that the Bigdei Kehunah, Priestly Vestments, were paid for by public funds. The Kedushas HaLevi explains that, since the Kohen represents the nation, it is only proper that his garments be supplied by the kahal, congregation, that…

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Home -> 5778 -> Terumah

ועשית את הקרשים למשכן עצי שטים עמדים

Roberto Szerer
In Terumah, 5778

You shall make the planks of the Mishkan of shittim (Acacia) wood, standing erect. (26:15)

The Midrash observes that atzei shittim refers to wood derived from a tree that does not bear fruit. Chazal explain that, if in the future, a person would want to build a house of wood from a fruit-bearing tree, he would be prevented from doing so by applying a simple logic. If the King of Kings, Hashem, to Whom everything in this world belongs, said that His Mishkan should only be built from wood from a type that does not bear fruit, how can a human being make a different decision? We derive from here that whatever we do, regardless…

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Home -> 5778 -> Terumah

דבר אל בני ישראל ויקחו לי תרומה מאת כל איש אשר ידבנו לבו

Roberto Szerer
In Terumah, 5778

Speak to Bnei Yisrael and let them take for Me a terumah/tithing/portion, from every man whose heart motivates him. (25:2)

Nedivas ha’lev, a donation from the sincerity of one’s heart, is the loftiest level of generosity. It is easy to write a check – if one has the money to back it. Easy come – easy go. Generosity of the heart demands sincerity; it is not about the amount of money that one gives. It is how much of himself he gives with that money. The purity of money is based upon the sincerity behind it. When one seeks to establish an abode for Hashem, a place where the Divine Presence will repose, it must be the result of funds…

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Home -> 5778 -> Mishpatim

אם ענה תענה אתו כי אם צעק יצעק אלי שמע אשמע צעקתו

Roberto Szerer
In Mishpatim, 5778

If you dare cause him pain…! – For if he shall cry out to Me, I shall surely hear his outcry. (22:22)

Causing pain to a person whose life is wretched, who stares misery in the face each and every day, is wrong – regardless of one’s motivation. Sometimes, a person’s intentions are noble. He is acutely aware that the individual who is suffering might well put his suffering behind him, if he would only pray with greater devotion. Some people need to be up against the wall with little or no hope for salvation before they pray like there is no tomorrow. They must feel that it is all over; there is no way out; there is no tomorrow. Only then,…

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Home -> 5778 -> Yisro

כבד את אביך ואת אמך למען יאריכון ימיך

Roberto Szerer
In Yisro, 5778

Honor your father and mother, so that your days will be lengthened.

The Aseres HaDibros, Ten Commandments, were inscribed on two tablets. Hence, the name: Luchos. The Ten Commandments are divided equally with: five devoted to mitzvos bein adam laMakom, between man and G-d; and five devoted to mitzvos bein adam lachaveiro, between man and his fellow man. Interestingly, the mitzvah of kibud av v’eim, honoring one’s father and mother, is listed on the tablet dedicated to bein adam laMakom. Chazal (Kiddushin 30b) teach that, when one properly honors his parents, it is considered as if he has honored Hashem. This is probably due to the fact that they “partner” with Hashem…

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Home -> 5778 -> Beshalach

ויהי בשלח פרעה את העם

Roberto Szerer
In Beshalach, 5778

It happened when Pharaoh sent out the people. (13:17)

Finally, after 210 years of brutal slavery, the Jewish People were free! The Exodus is among the most seminal experiences of our collective Jewish history. Every year we devote an entire festival to commemorating our freedom, our liberation from servitude. Zeicher l’yetzias Mitzrayim, “In remembrance of the exodus from Egypt” is a critical part of many tefillos, prayers. It has been over three thousand years since that auspicious moment of mass exodus from a tyrannical monarchy bent on destroying our people – and we still commemorate that moment. We must, however, sit back for a moment and ask ourselves: Have…

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Home -> 5778 -> Vaeira

קע בשופר גדול לחרותנו

Roberto Szerer
In Vaeira, 5778

Teka b’shofar gadol l’cheiruseinu. Sound the great shofar for our freedom.

In referencing the return of the exiles to our Holy Land, we underscore that our homeland has maintained its overwhelming loyalty to us. When we were gone from the Land and it was overrun with our conquerors, the Land did not produce for our enemies. Eretz Yisrael is in mourning over the loss of its children. It is only when we will return, with the advent of the Final Redemption, that the blessings which relate to Eretz Yisrael’s fertility and sustenance-giving nature will be fulfilled. Thus, we petition Hashem thrice daily that He return His children to His Land. This…

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Home -> Vayechi -> 5778

ושבענו מטובך

Roberto Szerer
In 5778, Vayechi

V’sabeinu mituvecha. And satisfy us from Your bounty.

Satisfaction is elusive for some people. In Pirkei Avos, the Tanna extols one who is sameach b’chelko, happy with his lot. This means that he does not determine financial success by how much he has accrued, but, rather, by what he has – period. He understands that he is blessed according to what Hashem has determined his needs are. Everyone receives from Hashem enough to meet his needs. Many of us are dissatisfied with just having our “needs” filled. We also want to satisfy our “wants.” It does not work that way. A truly wealthy person is a satisfied person….

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