Devarim: self-esteem

When the Jewish people are told that they will be traveling through the territory of Eisav they are instructed to buy food and water from the locals, as Se'ir is Eisav's land and not to be conquered. Moshe then reminds the people that every one of their needs has been taken care of by G-d throughout their journey of forty years in the desert. Rashi explains that this does not mean that the people have everything and really do not need to do business with the local tribes -- had that been the intent the Torah should have said "You have all that you need." Instead, the Torah says "You are not lacking," meaning don't appear needy and wanting. To appear as beggars after G-d has provided for your every want and need shows a lack of appreciation.

Rashi reminds us of the importance of self-esteem. G-d has helped each of us in some way or another; one small way we can show our appreciation is by acknowledging that we are worth receiving his assistance.

Masei: refuge with hope

The halacha is that the cities of refuge set aside by Moshe on the west bank of the Jordan River did not provide safe haven until after the designated cities refuge were set up in Eretz Yisrael. The Meshech Chochma explains the reason for this law. A murderer was required to stay in the city of refuge until the death of the kohen gadol. Hashem revealed (34:17) that the allocation of land in Eretz Yisrael to the shevatim and families would be done by Yehoshua and Elazar, the kohein gadol. This meant that Elazar would definitely live through the 14 year period of conquest and division of land. A murderer who might go to a city of refuge during those fourteen years would have no hope of release! Therefore, there was no requirement to move to a city of refuge until after the land was divided and all the cities set up.

The Torah does not demand that a person live without the hope of freedom even for a finite period of time. The ability to see new potential and opportunity in each and every day is a special gift.

Pinchas: a mental battle

Last week's parsha ended with the story the Jewish people being led to commit idolatry by falling prey to the enticement of the women of Moav and Midyan. In our parsha Pinchas receives the reward of a bond of peace for his heroism in striking down the prince of Yisachar and the Midyanaite princess which he took. The parsha continues with the command to smite the nation of Midyan, "Ki tzoririm hem lachem b'nichleihem asher niklu lachem al dvar Peor", because they are afflicting you in the thoughts which they devised regarding the idolatry of Peor. Two grammatical points catch the eye: 1) The pasuk uses the present tense, "tzoririm", to describe the Midyanite continued affliction of the Jewish people, even though it would seem that the two nations were now separated; 2) The pasuk focuses on Midyan's thoughts, the planning, rather than on the action of enticement or idolatry itself.

The Noam Elimelech explains that the women of Midyan were in fact no longer physically present to tempt the Jewish people, but the Jewish people were still afflicted and haunted by their memory of the temptation of these women and their crime. It is not the "thoughts which they devised about you" which is the focus of the pasuk, but rather the "thoughts which they made you think", the recurring feeling of lust followed by guilt which remained long after the actual crime committed. The fight with Midyan was a process of mental catharsis, not just a physical battle.

Read in this light, there is a deeper connection between the reward of Pinchas and this command to do battle with Midyan. Netziv explains that the blessing of peace which Pinchas was rewarded with was peace of mind; even the justifiable violence of Pinchas can leave psychological scars that require healing.

The Torah recognizes that psychological stress is something that we must grapple with and do battle with. Mental strain can leave its mark even long after a trial has been overcome. Our hope is that we too can be blessed with the peace of mind given to Pinchas as a reward for our efforts.

Chukas: each individual has a gift

Rashi (20:2) explains that there is a connection between the people's demand for water and the death of Miriam recorded recorded immediately prior to their complaint. Until this point the people obtained water from from the well of Miriam which accompanied them through the desert, but with Miriam's death the well vanished and the people faced a crisis. Why is it that the well completely vanished and did not remain in the merit of Moshe or Aharon? The Sifsei Chachamim answers the well was a reward for the self sacrifice Miriam showed by waiting alongside the banks of the Nile and watching to see what would happen to the basket her baby brother Moshe was set forth in -- in the merit of her waiting by the water, she became the source of water. Moshe was a greater prophet than his sister Miriam, and Aharon in his position of kohen gadol was able to serve Hashem in ways in which Miriam could not, but neither Moshe or Aharon could substitute for the unique merit that Miriam had. There are people greater in Torah scholarship and avodah than any one of us, but the gifts each of us an individuals bring to the world have no substitute.

Parshas Korach: the spirit of Ya'akov Avinu

The Torah introduces Korah by recounting his lineage -- "ben Yitzhar ben Kehas ben Levi". Rashi asks why the Torah did not go one step further and trace Korach's ancestry back to Ya'akov Avinu. He answers that Ya'akov davened that his name should not be joined in partnership with evil.

The Torah usually does not trace back the lineage of heroes or villains all the way to the Patriarchs. Why here does Rashi see the omission of Ya'akov's name as significant?

Maharal explains that the Torah here is not simply introducing Korach, but condeming him. Because Korach was a descendent of a prominant family within the prominant tribe of Levi, his guilt is that much worse. Korach had excellent role models to learn from and failed to follow their example. That failure might have been further emphasized by highlighting Korach's failure to live up to the model of Ya'akov Avinu. However, Ya'akov did not want to be associated with the condemnation of his descendents, and therefore he is not mentioned.

Lost opportunities and the failure to live up to expectations can create a devastating burden of guilt. Yet, beneath those layers of failure there always remains the spark of Ya'akov Avinu that does not condemn, does not see failure, and does not recognize hopelessness.

Shlach: ain mazal l'Yisrael

Kaleiv tried to rally the people and stem the tidee of sentiment rapidly turning against the idea of journeying to Eretz Yisrael. He boldly declared, "Aloh na'aleh," we can go up an conquer the land (13:30). Why does the Torah use the expression "go up and conquer" instead of simply saying "we can conquer"? Rashi explains that Kaleiv was hinting that even if they had to climb ladders to the heavens to take the land, they would be successful.

Maharal explains that the exaggeration of "climbing to heaven" is not to be taken literally, but hints at a more subtle message. Even if the forces in heaven which seem to control human destiny, the laws of nature, stand in opposition to the conquest of the Land by the Jewish people, that conquest will still be successful. "Ain mazal l'Yisrael" (Shabbos 156) -- the fate of the Jewish people transcends control by earthly and heavenly forces and rests in G-d's hands alone.

Even if appearances lead one to believe that there is no chance of success, "ain mazal l'Yisrael" -- G-d alone, not those obstacles, determines a Jew's destiny.

BeHa'alosecha: the uplifting break of VaYehi Binsoa

The parsha of "Va'yehi binsoa" (BaMidbar 10:35-36) contextually fits into the description of the camp and its travels, but it appears in our parsha, surrounded by upside-down letter nuns which highlight its being out of place. Our Rabbis explain (Shabbos 115) that the parsha of "Va'yehi binsoa" was inserted here to seperate between two parshiyos which show the Jewish people in a poor light. The parsha before "Va'yehi binsoa" describes the hurry and rush to leave Sinai, "like a child fleeing school", giving the appearance that the Jewish people were afraid to linger lest they would be burdened with even more commandments. The parsha immediately after "Va'yehi binsoa" describes the baseless complaints which emerged on the journey itself.

The reality is that the Jewish people did compound one act of communal poor behavior on top of another. However, as the Alter of Slabodka (Ohr Tzafun III:p.36) explains, the dignity of the people is of such importance that G-d re-arranged the text of Torah to avoid layering criticism on top of crticism. And not just any parsha serves as a break between these criticisms -- the parsha of "Vayehi binsoa" is deliberately placed here for its emphasis on G-d's presence manifest in the camp as the Jewish people are led by the ark. Even when we deserve criticism, G-d reminds us that he remains within our camp, despite our failings.

Naso: a lesson in hakaras hatov

The Ramban (7:2) writes that all the Nesi'im brought identical gifts to Moshe on the same day of the Mishkan's dedication. Had their korbanos all been offered on that same day one Nasi would have gotten to go first and the others would have followed. This might have created the perception that one gift is more valuable than others, one Nasi more important than others. Therefore, G-d commanded, "Nasi echad la'yom" -- let each Nasi have an "exclusive", a day that he alone would be the focus of attention and celebration.

Rav Wolbe in his Alei Shor (vol. 2) explains that we see in this parsha a remarkable example of hakaras hatov (kavyachol) practiced by Hashem himself. Though their gifts were identical, each Nasi had a specific unique intention invested in what he brought. Hashem accepted these gifts in such a way that recognized and celebrated each individual's unique contribution.

There is a danger even in religious service of thinking that you are "just a number". You may be learning the same daf as everyone else, daven in a minyan with many others, participate in the same communal functions as so many others, but Hashem still views your service as unique, invested with talent and thought that only you can dedicate.

the last minute still counts

“Ad m’macharas hashabbos hashevi’is tisperu chamishim yom…” – Until after the seventh week, count for yourself fifty days (23:16). The meaning of the pasuk is to count fifty days until seven complete weeks have been counted, but translated literally the pasuk implies that we have until a full seven weeks have passed to count fifty days, i.e. 50 days can counted any time during this seven week period ends, even on the very last day! The Rebbe of Tchotekov derives a beautiful lesson from here.

Each day for fifty days during the sefirah period we take another small step in the process of perfecting our character traits, making a stronger commitment to avodas Hashem, and growing in our anticipation for kabbalas haTorah on Shavuos. What if a few days or even minutes before Shavuos a person suddenly realizes that he has not utilized this time period appropriately? What if, rather than feeling the joy of Yom Tov approaching, a person looks back with regret at the weeks of wasted moments and wasted opportunities that have passed. Is all lost?

“Until seven weeks have passed” – until the very last second before Yom Tov arrives – “count for yourself fifty days” – one can still accomplish all of the necessary growth that should have been accomplished in the count of the past 50 days. There is no need to surrender to regret and remorse as so much can be accomplished in even seconds.

BaMidbar: being in two places at once

Why does Parshas BaMidbaris stress the location -- “b’midbar Sinai b’Ohel Moed” -- at which Hashem spoke to Moshe? The Noam Elimelech suggests that the physical location is a hint to psychological paradox. The midbar, the wild barren desert, suggests feeling bereft and hopeless, without an anchor or guidance. The word “moed” in Ohel Moed is the same word we use to describe the festivals – moadim – which bring to mind feelings of joy and happiness. Life challenges us to be in these two locations at once. A person may be forced to wander through a midbar of hostile challenges, but rather than succumb to depression and defeat, a person has the power to internally maintain an “ohel moed” of joy that gives strength and solace.

Bechukosai: the chance for redemption

The parsha of tochacha is immediatly followed by the parsha of archin that deals with the halachos of a person who pledges his value to the mikdash. Why are these two topics juxtoposed? When a person reads the tochacha he/she is liable to become despondant and give up hope, thinking that the punishments are so severe and the demands so difficult. R' Moshe Shternbruch (Ta'am v'Da'as) writes that we learn from the parsha of archin that if a person makes a pledge and does not have enough money to pay the price set by the Torah, instead of paying the full amount the person can pay whatever he/she is able to contribute, heseg yad. The Torah wishes to stress that achieving the impossible is not what the Torah demands; a person simply must achieve the best that he or she can.

The Ishbitzer further explains that the parsha of archin introduces the concept of pidyon, redemption. Not only can a person redeem his own pledge, but even a relative or neighbor can offer redemption on another's behalf. It is this possibility of redemption, whether through one's own efforts or through the help of another, that the Torah wishes to highlight after the tochacha to underscore that no person is every lost or beyond hope.

Parshas Bechukosai: comfort amidst tochacha

The "tochacha" in Parshas Bechukosai contains a long description of the severe punishments the Jewish people will receive for disobeying Hashem's commandments. This parsha ends by telling us that the Jewish people ultimately will repent and return to Hashem -- "v'hisvadu es avonam v'es avon avosam" (26:40). G-d responds: "Af ani eileich emam b'keri v'hei'veisi osam b'eretz oyveihem" -- I too shall act walk unreliably with them and bring them into the land of their enemies... What an alarming response! The Jewish people have finally repented from wrongdoing, yet G-d promises to visit still more punishment. How are we to make sense of this?

R' Sar Shalom of Belz explains that this pasuk is indeed a comfort. Transgression may require punishment and even suffering as part of the process of repentance, but during that rehabilitative process G-d promises that we are not abandoned and alone. "Eileich emam...”- I will walk with you, V'hei'veisi osam...", I will bring you… G-d walks beside us even as we suffer; when we must be banished to foreign lands, He personally brings us there and assures our survival and eventual return.

Even when we must deal with sorrow and crisis, G-d is with us every step of the way.

Welcome!

The title bar of this blog says it all: There are so many problems that so many of us are struggling with: financial difficulties, job loss (one that I am grappling with), tuition crisis, illness, shidduch crisis, etc. This blog is dedicated to words of chizuk that can help get us through these situations.

I am interested in getting collaborators for this project. If you would like to share some divrei torah, please e-mail me: weeklychizuk-at-gmail.com