Thursday, March 24, 2016

Getting Out of Your Head

In this week's parsha, Tzav, the Torah speaks of several different sacrifices that were offered in the Temple. There is one offering that is more special than all the rest, the Korban Toda, the thanksgiving offering. What is unique about this offering, is that, while other personal offerings, such as sin and guilt  sacrifices will cease to be offered when Moshiach comes, the thanksgiving is the only personal offering that will not.

What is unique about the Toda, that makes it everlasting?

Moshiach, will usher in an era, when Godliness will permeate our lives openly. Sinning, death, sickness etc., will cease to exist. With no sinning the sin offering becomes obsolete, and the same with guilt offerings.

The Toda, on the other hand, will continue. Toda means thanks, however, taking a deeper look at the word, we find that its root is the same as Modeh, to admit which is a validation of the other. And in a way, that is what giving thanks is all about recognizing the other.

In a way, you can say, that when Moshiach comes, we will finally get out of our heads. We will have no problems, no pain, and no suffering to focus on. When you think about yourself there is no room for joy or anyone else, as your problems take over your every thought. However if you could find a way to focus on others, you will feel joy, a taste of Moshiach.

This is why the the Toda will go on. We will recognize Hashem's hand in our success, good health, safety and nachas.

I love when I get visitors, because when I am alone, I start thinking about myself, and like everyone else, I have things that bother me, that is totally out of my control. When I get visitors, my focus is all about them. The same is true when I write these Dvar Torahs, it makes me focus on others, and it gets me out of thinking about myself.

It is my hope that Moshiach will come soon, and all suffering and pain will end.
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Today is Purim. How does this connect to Purim?

The essence of Purim is about getting out of yourself. The mitzvahs of Purim, get you out of thinking about yourself. First, sending gifts of food to a friend, then by giving gifts of money to the poor, and finally, by having a meal, where getting drunk is mandatory. It is all about getting out of yourself, by transcending yourself you come to a place where there are no problems, and joy begins. We should have Purim more often.

26 comments:

  1. Dear Yitzi, please know that I have read this and will read it again and again. You give us such critical perspective on what is truly important in life and how to appreciate all the good we are blessed to have from HASHEM and we are not properly recognizing and thanking HASHEM for his boundless good.
    With much thank and appreciation! toda!
    Avremi Berkowitz

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  2. Yitzi you are a true inspiration and I will continue to read your posts IY"H

    Hashem should give you the strength to keep smiling and inspiring everyone who you touch.

    I look forward to meeting you in person when I next visit Los Angeles (I live in Israel)

    Please keep in touch with me: Daniel@jetvirtual.co.uk

    Good Shabbos my friend.

    Daniel Gefen

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  3. One more quick thing. I'm sure you have tried many different things to help with your condition. A friend of mine asked if you have tried to get CBD drops. You can order them easily in California. Try putting a few drops under your tongue and see if it helps.

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  4. Thank you for your words of inspiration and effort to inspire others. May we see moshiach very soon!!!

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  5. Dear Yitzy, With this beautiful blog you always have visitors, you may not physically see them, but we're with you in spirit.. Yitzy, you wrote this beautiful vord on the 24th, and today, the 29th, you have inspired me and made a REAL difference in my life! Thank you.

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  6. Thank you for writing this.

    J. Goffstein

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  7. Very important message! Thanks for the reminder! I always enjoy reading your articles, on ur blog, in the nshei or on col. I just listened to the song you composed, so gorgeous!!

    Chana Gordon

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  8. Thank you for writing this.

    J. Goffstein

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  9. Very important message! Thanks for the reminder! I always enjoy reading your articles, on ur blog, in the nshei or on col. I just listened to the song you composed, so gorgeous!!

    Chana Gordon

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  10. Thank you for always helping me find the light in my own life!

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  12. Thank you Rabbi Yitzi for sharing, your knowledge penetrates my heart. I now see life differently. Your a true inspiration, please keep 'em coming :) #MoshiachNow #Light

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  13. Thank you Rabbi Yitzi. I read the dvar Torah and it was really good. I read it because one of my friends shared your shime a little light video on my facebook page. It was cheerful. I loved how all the celebriys came to be in the video. I hope you have a happy week. This week is parasha Shmini. I know that Shmini is eight but in some strange way I listened to the word and heard my name Shem Ani ... It helped me rember that kahsrut is in this parssha because we have this in our identity.

    I live in Montreal. Winter is almost over here and it is nice to get out of boots and coats as Pesach approaches. I hope you are able to be taken outside and feel some sunshine.
    שבת שלום
    מרים רבקה

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  14. Thank you Rabbi Yitzi. I read the dvar Torah and it was really good. I read it because one of my friends shared your shime a little light video on my facebook page. It was cheerful. I loved how all the celebriys came to be in the video. I hope you have a happy week. This week is parasha Shmini. I know that Shmini is eight but in some strange way I listened to the word and heard my name Shem Ani ... It helped me rember that kahsrut is in this parssha because we have this in our identity.

    I live in Montreal. Winter is almost over here and it is nice to get out of boots and coats as Pesach approaches. I hope you are able to be taken outside and feel some sunshine.
    שבת שלום
    מרים רבקה

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  15. bs"d

    Dear Rabbi Yitzi,

    I'm a Lubavitcher writting from S. Paulo, Brazil. Glad to meet you.

    I just saw the video of your amazing song "Shine a little light" at YouTube, and share it with my friends at Facebook. In fact, it's a very inspiring clip.

    I would like to congratulate you for your perseverance to keep illuminating the lives of your fellows Jews, both with your teachings and by your noble example.

    I wish you and your family many, many joys, health, peace and success in all matters. A gut shabbos with Moshiach now!

    Pessach (Paulo) Grinspun

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  16. Hi Yitzi,
    I just wanted to let you know that I listened to your song and was very inspired by your talent and resilience. I grew up Chabad so I always had this message of shining a light ingrained within me from childhood. As an adult however, with all the craziness it brings with taking care of a family and getting a higher education it is sometimes hard to focus on G-d. Listening to your song today was a stark reminder of what my true purpose in this world really is; to spread Hashem's light. I love what you are doing with your time despite the diagnosis you must live with day in and day out. Know that you have people like me, who don't know you personally, that love you and your family and are praying for your recovery.

    Alona S

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  17. Dear Reb Yitzi,
    Thanks for the amazing encouraging article.
    And thank you for your amazing song, cant stop listening to it!

    Refuah Shleimah fast with Mashiach's arrival!

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  18. Shalom Reb Yitzy, I enjoyed your dvar Torah and I hope to start reading it every week.

    I am deeply moved and touched about what your bringing to the world. Chazak V'amatz!

    A friend,
    Shaya Sussman

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  19. Dear Yitzi,

    Thanks for your thoughts and the effort you put into writing the dvar Torahs.

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  20. Thanx do much for the inspiration.
    It started with hearing your song and I was just interested in more and more.
    I read allot of what u wrote,and went back to 2005,when u wrote about happiness.very inspiring!!!
    Thanx for uplifting me.

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  21. Thanx do much for the inspiration.
    It started with hearing your song and I was just interested in more and more.
    I read allot of what u wrote,and went back to 2005,when u wrote about happiness.very inspiring!!!
    Thanx for uplifting me.

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  22. Thank you! Moshiach now! U make me want to be a better Jew

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  23. dear rabbi yitzi,
    I am not so good in words and express my self,
    but all the comments of the people before me just express exectly what i wanted to say.

    so i'll just add thank you and kol tuv.

    Ariel, Tel Aviv.

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  24. Yitzi. Great devar Torah. I lost my father in January ,,,, my mother in law a few weeks ago Adar was challenging especially 2 adars. I guess HaShem was reminding us how important joy really is. Shine a little light

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  25. Thank you for your blog. And for sharing your beautiful song! May we all shine a little truer and brighter! You and your family will be in my thoughts. Please remember my daughter in yours. She has leukemia🕯

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  26. Wow I am so excited every time, I admire your positive.. day at school we learned you must I live in Israel . We pray for you
    speedy recovery :)

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