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Essays on the weekly Torah portion, the holidays and Jewish thought.
Parsha Naso – The Peace Process Torah can bring about peace between husband and wife, body and soul, one person and another, because Torah has the capacity to bring about peace between G-d and the world. Parsha Naso – Topsy-Turvy Priorities Torah is the primary and absolute reality. In order for us to exist as reality our being must be preceded, created and animated by the primary reality of Torah. Only after the primacy of Torah is established do we have any basis to exist and also enjoy the material world. Parsha Naso – Torah and Nature In addition to being G-d’s instructions how to live our lives, Torah is also the very blueprint of creation. Parsha Naso – Uplifting the Intellect Not only can the study of Torah inspire and uplift us, it can even raise up our head. Even our intellect, the most exalted part of our being, can rise to even greater heights. Parsha Naso – You Could Have Your Wine and Drink It Too The distinction between known as Kabbalah and Chassidus is that Chassidus mines and elicits the positive in ourselves and in others. Chassidus is the part of Torah that digs into the deepest recesses of our soul, where no negativity can exist. Chassidus relates to the Yechidah, the essence that is i Parsha Shlach – As You Said The word of a tzadik-a righteous and holy person, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak explains, is endowed by G-d with the power to make things happen. Parsha Shlach – Babylonian and Jerusalem Versions of Truth Living as we do in exile, we must appreciate even the modest attempts that one makes to be sincere about his or her Judaism. Once the light of truth shines through the darkness of exile, albeit even for the wrong reason, there is the hope that this light may eventually dispel that darkness. Parsha Shlach – Drawing an Imaginary Line in the Sand Exile and Redemption represent two mindsets. Exile mentality creates dichotomies. To be spiritual, the exile mindset requires separation from the world. The Redemption mindset is one of unity. The same G-d who is supernatural created the natural order as well. Parsha Shlach – G-d’s Ambivalence Is Also a Message A child needs to do things on its own, so that which they do is considered their own effort, not only something they received from someone else. In the words of the Jerusalem Talmud, food obtained unearned is “Shameful Bread.” Parsha Shlach – Having It All It does not suffice to reach perfection by devoting ourselves to exclusive Torah study. One can acquire total mastery of Torah knowledge—and yet not bring Moshiach. We must also recognize that all of the world must be integrated into our spiritual lives. Parsha Shlach – Healthy Milk and Honey Truth can be a formidable and destructive weapon when it is harnessed to untruths. Throughout Jewish history, the greatest threat to Jewish life came more from those who invoked Torah in their deviation from it than from those who renounced Torah and erased it from their lexicon completely. Parsha Shlach – Humble Spies We are living in an age obsessively preoccupied with self- esteem. Our problems will overwhelm us when we fail to grasp that self-esteem must be replaced with G-d esteem. We are the last generation of exile and the first generation of Redemption, chosen by G-d to lead the way into this miraculous Ag Parsha Shlach – Keep Your Eyes on the Ball Each and every one of us was chosen by G-d to perform a mission to refine and sanctify the world. Our talents notwithstanding, we were chosen to represent the interests of G-d, Moses and the people that we were chosen to serve, not our own personal ones. Parsha Shlach – Milk for Diamonds or Diamonds for Milk There are treasures that can be found in great abundance in our life’s experience. These are the moments spent in Torah study, performance of a Mitzvah or heartfelt prayer. Out of necessity we take time away from our precious pursuits to earn money, build a house, clothe our families, etc., just so Parsha Shlach – Minion or Minyan The minyan was not conceived of as an institution for saints, rather a medium for even deficient individuals to uplift themselves by joining a minyan, whose collective nature is far greater than the sum of its parts – it is a reflection of the collective Jewish community. Parsha Shlach – Prison and Chometz Prison is not a suitable punishment because it deprives the person of his or her ability to function as a full-fledged human being. The prisoner cannot express and actualize his or her full potential. Parsha Shlach – Seeing and Desiring We should follow our heart and eyes! Deep down inside, our heart is faithful and truly desires to get close to G-d. To make our heart’s latent good desires surface, we must follow our eyes. We must use our mind’s eye to see the true nature of G-dly energy in everything. Once we “open our eyes” to se Parsha Shlach – Starting on the Right Foot There is a spiritual principle that our success in a holy endeavor is usually determined by the direction we set forth for ourselves at the very outset. When our original thought is positive and holy it is likely that we will succeed in reaching our destination—the Promised Land. Parsha Shlach – Taking Shabbos Seriously Shabbos is the day that we cease from doing those innocuous things simply because G-d told us to. By surrendering our needs, desires and egos–as they are expressed through the actions we do throughout the week– to the will of G-d, we are able to appreciate the value, beauty and meaning in being able Parsha Shlach – Sincerely Wanting Moshiach G-d prefers and demands compliance with His will over courageous actions.