Beautiful without and within

Dear friends,

Over the past six weeks I haven't been able to write a dvar Torah  due to  ALS which has weakened my hands to the point that I can't type. Baruch Hashem we live at a time that technology has developed a way to type using my eyes. It takes longer but you're worth it. 

Your  friend, 

Yitzi

In this week's parsha, Toldos, it talks about Yitzchak's life after the passing of his father, Avraham. 

A big emphasis is put on the fact that he was digging wells. First he unearthed wells his father originally dug, but the locals filled. Then he dug new wells. Finally it tells of how his servants, who were digging a well, came to him and said "we found water". 

It seems that digging wells was central to who he was and a defining feature in his service to Hashem. While his father, Avrohom, worked on getting people to follow Hashem, Yitzchak dug wells. 

What is the deeper meaning in digging a well?  What lesson are we to take from Yitzchak Avinu? 

To dig a well, you first need to believe that there is water. Then comes the hard work, digging deeper and deeper until you find the water. 

On the surface a person may not be happy with who he /she is, he  has to know that on the inside there is "water ", there is a beautiful person. All he needs to do is "dig",  to  work on himself. 

If you keep digging you will surely find water. 

First came Avrohom, who taught us to change the way you should act on the outside. To act the way Hashem would want you to. 

When you do this you  may feel like a fake, putting on an act. Realize, that it is a false perception. Deep within you are perfect. 

Yitzchak teaches us the next step. Now that you are beautiful on the outside, start digging, find the beauty within. 

New Year Requests

This year parsha Hazinu is read on Shabbos Shuva. In it you have the song of Hazinu which is a teaching, a rebuke, a warning, a promise and a prophecy wrapped in one. 

We lived with this song all week, starting last Shabbos, the 25th Elul, the first day of creation, by mincha. Ending on Rosh Hashanah, the day man was created. 

It all fits nicely together. Rebuke all week followed by a promise of redemption on Rosh Hashanah. 

The same heaven and earth created at this time is called to be witness for all eternity. That the words of Hazinu be fulfilled.

What is the connection between Rosh Hashanah and Hazinu?

In addition, on Rosh Hashanah we ask for our needs. Seems shallow that on such a holy day we preoccupied with our mundane needs. Why is this day set aside for asking?

In Hazinu the purpose of creation is clearly defined. Our mission to do HaShem's will, by which,through our effort, we develop this world into a dwelling place for HaShem, where He is revealed to all, realized at the time of the redemption. 

Rosh Hashanah, the day Adam was created, the mission of man began. Every year we go to shul pledging to continue and finish the mission. That's why we ask for our needs on Rosh Hashanah, we are asking for what we need to accomplish our mission. So don't be shy, ask well. 

May we see our mission fulfilled and witness the final redemption this year. The sooner the better. 

Have a happy and sweet new year!

Standing Still Getting Closer

This week we read a double parsha, Nitzavim - Vayelech. 

Nitzavim is always read on the shabbos before Rosh Hashanah, while Vayelech is read either on the shabbos before or after Rosh Hashanah. Either way, there must be a Rosh Hashanah lesson for us here. 

Nitzavim, means standing firmly. Vayelech ,means and he went. These seem to be opposites. Standing or going? You can't do bot, or can you? How can you stand and go at the same time?

We all serve HaShem. Our service is clearly proscribed down to the detail. Our job is to be Nitzavim, standing firm, doing the mitzva in it's exact prescribed manner. Not to be influenced by those who say lighten up, so what if you change it up a bit. 

On the other hand we don't want to be robots, just going through the motions. That's where Vayelech comes in. Vayelech is movement and change, not in the action of the mitzvah, but in the intent. Every day, as we learn and get a deeper appreciation of HaShem, it intensifies the meaningfulness of our service to him. The mitzvah done as proscribed "stands firm" but our expression of it "goes" ever higher. 

On Rosh Hashanah we renew our commitment to HaShem, to do his will for another year. Not just in action but also by adding in depth. 

The same idea could be seen in our personal relationships.

Sometimes, as time is passing, our lives seem to be bland and repetitive.  Keeping our responsibilities, being a good husband or wife. What is now needed is time to get to know your spouse better. As your appreciation for each other grows, your responsibilities will become more joyous and more meaningful. 

Regularly set aside time to talk and get to know each other better.  This will do wonders for your relationship. 

Have a happy and sweet New Year. 

Your Effort Makes a Difference

This weeks parsha, Ki Savo, is always read on the second shabbos before Rosh Hashanah. There must be a message here to help us, in preparation for the great day. 

The parsha opens with the mitzva of bikurim, first fruits. 

First fruits were marked, later to be brought in a basket to the temple and placed near the alter. The cohen would then enjoy the fruit. 

The wealthy brought their fruits in a silver basket, while the common folk brought theirs in wicker baskets. Those who brought silver baskets would  later take them home. However, those who brought wicker baskets, would leave them in the temple. 

One would think that it should be the other way around. The wealthy, who could afford it, should leave their silver baskets. The poor, who struggle, should be able to take their baskets home. 

For the wealthy businessman the mitzva if bikurim was special. Being busy, he didn't have time. He just grabbed his silver basket, put the fruit in and went. 

For the common folk, this mitzva was so precious. The thrill inside, "I get to bring a gift to the temple". Lovingly they handcrafted their baskets, especially for this mitzva. 

These wicker baskets were so precious to HaShem because of all the love, time and effort that went into them. Therefore, He wanted them.  The silver baskets, beautiful as they are, did not have the same love, time and effort. Therefore, take them home. 

How will you prepare for Rosh Hashanah? Will you lovingly collect your fruit? Will you take the time to consider your past years performance of mitzvah and how you will improve in the coming year? Will you spend time preparing yourself for the holiday or will you just show up?

Your effort is important and precious to HaShem. He wants it, He appreciates it, He loves it. 

The same is true for our relationships. In our busy lives many of our gestures are last minute. Nice as they are, they are not the same as those we put time and effort into. While both are positive, the effort, time and love adds dimension, depth, and meaning. Try it, and you will see. 

Have a happy and sweet New Year. 

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

This weeks parsha, Ki Seitzei, tells us: "If there is a quarrel between  (two) men, who come to court to be judged, the innocent one will be acquitted and the guilty one will be condemned."

In the Torah there is nothing extra. Here, however, there seems to be extra words. The verse starts "If there is a quarrel" it could have started "men, who come to court..." Isn't it obvious that there is a dispute, when two men come to court?

Then it continues "the innocent one will be acquitted and the guilty one will be condemned." What other option is there? Isn't that what a court ought to do?

This is a special case. First the two men were quarreling, from the fighting a dispute arose. When they come to court the judges recognize that this case started as a quarrel. They might be tempted to deal with the true underlying issue instead of judging the case at hand. The Torah tells the court to judge the case properly. 

There is a message here for us all. Don't think that quarreling with a friend is ok. Ultimately it will escalate and you will end up in court. Your case will not be judged according to your feelings but by the law. 

We each need to think about our relationships. Is it really worth fighting with friends and family. How many of us haven't spoken to a friend or, even worse, a family member for a long time because of some petty matter?

Don't let it come to that. Wether you feel innocent or guilty in the situation, it's not worth the constant fighting, bickering and hurting. 

Sometimes we lose focus, forgetting that HaShem puts us in our situation. We start to feel negative about ourselves and everyone around us.  Then the quarreling begins.    

Practice recognizing HaShem's hand in all that happens. It will keep you positive. 

Life is short. Be positive and easy to get along with. Be a good friend and good family. Let the petty stuff slide. Be happy, friendly and smile a lot.

You will positively change the world for the good, and you will bring out the positive In those around you. 

(I would like to thank my wife Dina for her input in writing this post.)

Closer to HaShem Closer to Your Spouse

The month of Elul always begins around parshas Shoftim. Which speaks of appointing judges, appointing a king and cities of refuge. 

As there are no coincidences, we must ask: What lesson can we learn here?

Now is the time to get closer to HaShem. Not physically, but mentally and spiritually. 

Shoftim means judges. Now is the time to take an account of the past year. To judge yourself and see if you have used your abilities to the fullest to fulfill HaShem's will. Knowing where you stand is a great motivator. This is dealing with the past. 

"Appoint a king over yourself". Excepting HaShem as your king will move you to want to do his will, strengthening your commitment to HaShem. This is dealing with the future. 

The month of Elul is a "sanctuary city" in time. The idea of a sanctuary city is a place to go for atonement. It's an open opportunity to get closer to HaShem  as HaShem's arms are open to forgive us. 

HaShem, our king, is in the field. He is smiling and he grants good to us all. All we need to do is go out and meet him. This is a great opportunity, don't waste it. 

On a personal level. Many of us are in relationships that just seem to be on auto pilot. We don't even realize that our significant other is hurt by this. We think all is fine. 

If you think everything is fine then you need to follow the next steps. 

Ask yourself. When was the last time you sat together and talked a about what is important. Take an account of your relationship. This is dealing with the past. 

Recognize the other in the relationship. Ask. What is his/her needs? If you can't figure out on your own, ask the him/her to tell you or to write it down. Strengthen your commitment to each other. This is dealing with the future. 

Finally don't be afraid to go down this road, because bettering your relationship is something you both want. Your significant other will be more than glad to work with you to better your relationship.

Just imagine coming to shul this Rosh Hashana knowing that you are one with HaShem and one with your spouse. What a way to start the year. 

Hidden Good

This weeks parsha, R'ay, starts off: Behold I give before you a blessing and a curse...

This is HaShem speaking to the Jewish people (through Moshe). We must ask: If HaShem is all good what does it mean that He gives a curse? 

Especially here HaShem refers to himself  as Anochi (אנכי) which is not one of HaShem's names. Anochi means "I". When HaShem refers to himself as Anochi it is referring to his essence, greater than any of his names. The quintessential "I", HaShem's essence. How is it possible that the essence of HaShem be connected to a curse?

Targum Yonason translates the word וקללה (curse) וחילופא (and it's exchange). In other words there is a blessing and then something other. Similar but different. 

There are different kinds of blessings. There are superficial blessings the ones we all see. Basic pleasures we recognize as good. Then there is a deeper good wich comes into the world through difficulty and suffering. We don't see them as blessings at the onset however with time we recognize how they are truly blessings. 

Many times, it's the suffering, that brings the greatest amount of change in the world. 

As many witnessed this week,  how a disease like ALS, bright so much joy, positivity and togetherness. Throwing a bucket of ice and water on the head.  How many good deeds, kindnesses, prayers & friendship were generated? 

So the verse could be understood like this 

Behold I give before you a revealed blessing and a concealed blessing. 

Anochi, HaShem'sessence then is only connected to blessing. Different kinds of blessing. 

Unfortunately, no one is free from suffering. Recognizing that I it's from HaShem will keep you positive. As you will be filled with a sense of deep purpose knowing that your suffering is making a difference. Accomplishing a great good for HaShem. 

May HaShem send clear, open revealed blessing. There is no need for suffering anymore. We are all ready for moshiach to come.