Monday, Iyar 28, 5781 (43rd day of the Omer) / May 10, 2021

B"H

Monday, Iyar 28, 5781 (43rd day of the Omer) / May 10, 2021

Today is the 28th day of Iyar.  On this day, in 1967, the Holy city of Jerusalem, the Kotel and all the Holy places were miraculously returned to their rightful owner – the Jewish people.  The reunification of New Jerusalem and the old city took place on the third day of the Six Day war, the 28^th of Iyar.  We must cherish this gift and keep it forever!

This Shabbat we read Parshat Bamidbar, which begins the fourth Book of the Torah. In most years, this Parsha is read on the Shabbat before Shavuot – the holiday in which we celebrate receiving of the Torah on Mount Sinai.  Being that Shavuot begins next week Sunday night, thus, Parshat Bamidbar will be read this Shabbat.

The Parsha begins with G-d commanding Moshe to count the Jewish men between the ages of 20 and 60, those that are able to join G-d‘s army, in case of battle. The total amount, excluding the tribe of Levi, was 603,550.

Q.   What is the connection between this Parsha and the holiday of Shavuot?

A.   Our sages tell us that every Jewish soul is connected to and rooted in the Torah.  Although some may be more knowledgeable than others, some may be on a higher spiritual level than others, yet, as we approach the holiday of Shavuot, this Parsha teaches us that in essence we are all equal and every Jew has their share in the Torah.  This point is emphasized by the importance of the census in this Parsha, in which each person was counted equally.

Q.  In which year was the Torah given?

A.  The Torah was given in the Hebrew year 2448.  This Shavuot is 3333 years from the Giving of the Torah.

Q.   What is the secret to success in studying Torah?

A.   The Talmudic sage Rabbi Yitzchak says, "If a person tells you, I have made an effort in the study of Torah, but I have not succeeded, do not believe him.  If a person tells you, I didn't make any effort and I have succeeded, do not believe him.  When a person tells you, I made an effort and I have succeeded, believe him!" 

Q.  Who was at Mount Sinai at the Giving of the Torah?

A.  Our sages tell us that every Jew of that generation, who came out of Egypt, plus all the souls of every Jew of future generations were in attendance for the Giving of the Torah.

When G-d said, “I am G-d your G-d…” He was speaking to every Jew who lived then and in the future. Thus, when we celebrate the holiday of Shavuot we commemorate an event which we, each and every one of us, was witness to that phenomenal experience.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY, SUCCESSFUL AND WONDERFUL DAY

Friday, Iyar 25, 5781 (40th day of the Omer) / May 7, 2021

B"H

Friday, Iyar 25, 5781 (40th day of the Omer)/ May 7, 2021

In Parshat Bechukotei, the last Parsha in the Book of Leviticus, G-d promises the Jewish people that if they observe the commandments, they will merit His many blessings. "I will give your rains in their season... and you will dwell in your land safely.  And I will give peace in the land... And I will walk among you, and I will be your G-d and you shall be My people."

"And I will walk among you, and I will be your G-d and you shall be My people." This is indeed a special blessing to recognize that G-d walks among us and that He is our G-d and we His people.

A king and his entourage went out hunting in the forest. All day they chased after the animals.  The king was so engrossed in the sport and didn't notice that he became separated from the rest.

Toward evening he realized that he was alone in the forest and he didn't know the way out.  Just then a farmer came by carrying a pile of wood on his shoulder. The king asked him for the way out of the forest.  The farmer said, "I will show you the way out of here, but I want to ask you for a favor.  I heard that the king is in the area hunting.  I never saw the king and you must be one of his entourage.  When I lead you to the main road, could you show me the king."

The king said, "Sure I will show you the king."

"But how will I know he is the king? Will he be wearing different clothes than everyone else?"

"No. He won't be wearing different clothes. But here is how you will know who he is.  When we get to the road, you will see that all the king's people will remove their hats and bow their heads.  The person who doesn't take off his hat and doesn't bow is the king!"

In a little while they reached the edge of the forest.  When they saw the king they all took off their hats and bowed their heads.

"Now can you identify who is the king?" asked the king of the farmer.

The farmer looked around and finally replied, "I'm not sure.  According to the sign you gave me, the two of us are wearing our hats and didn't bow, so it's either you or me…"

Many times, we too find ourselves in the shoes of the foolish farmer.  Often we don't recognize that it is G-d who is walking amongst us and it is He Who gives us the power to be successful. Too often, we fail to give Him the credit for everything we have.

"And I will walk among you, and I will be your G-d and you shall be My people" - Recognizing that G-d is amongst us and that He is our G-d and that we are His people, is indeed a great blessing.

  Shabbat we bless the new month, Sivan.  Rosh Chodesh will be Tuesday night & Wednesday.

SHABBAT SHALOM

Montreal candle lighting time: 7:51 / Shabbat ends: 9:01

Wednesday, Iyar 23, 5781 (38th day of the Omer) / May 5, 2021

Wednesday, Iyar 23, 5781 (38th day of the Omer)/ May 5, 2021

Shabbat we will read the last two Parshiot of the book of Leviticus, B’har & Bechukotei.

In Parshat B’har the Torah commands us about the Sabbatical year, which was every seventh year. It also tells us the laws of the 50^th year which was the Yovel year.

At the end of Parshat Bechukotei, the Torah commands that ten percent of one’s herd of cattle and sheep should be holy unto G-d and was was given every year to the kohen-priest.

The Torah says that the procedure for giving tithes from one’s herd of cattle was as follows. The cattle had to go through in a single line and every tenth animal was marked with a die. Then all the ones marked with the die were rounded up and given to the Kohen.

Q.Why does the Torah require that it be done exactly this way. One could simply count all the animals and then give away one tenth?

A.A Chassidic Rebbe once visited one of his disciples, a very wealthy man, but a miser who never gave any charity. The Chassid was very happy to welcome his Rebbe into his mansion. He gave the Rebbe a tour of his home which was decorated with the most expensive furniture.

At every beautiful piece of furniture and painting the Rebbe stopped and asked the Chassid, “Is this really yours?” “Yes it is,” answered the Chassid. This went on for a long time. Finally, the Chassid asked his Rebbe, “Why do you keep on asking me the same question, “Is all this really yours?”

The Rebbe was waiting for the question. “You see, in the Parsha, the Torah says that the way to give tithes from the animals is to have them go through a single line and count them; one, two three.. etc and every tenth was marked to be given away to charity. Why didn’t the Torah just say, give ten percent?

The answer is simple. Imagine if he has 1000 sheep and he has to give away 100 of them, it may be difficult for him. But this way, the owner counts: Onebelongs to me; twobelong to me; threebelong to me; fourbelong to me; fivebelong to me; sixbelong to me; sevenbelong to me; eightbelong to me; ninebelong to me. Now, psychologically it’s not so difficult to give the tenth one away.

“The same is with you,” explained the Rebbe. “I kept on asking you if all of this belongs to you.. I wanted you to realize how much G-d blessed you with.. How much YOUhave.. So, it’s only right that you should also help your brethren in need..”

The Rebbe’s sincere words had their effect and the Chassid became a very generous man.

Now we understand why the Torah wanted the owner to give his animal tithes in this manner. This way he will appreciate his great blessings and will give his tithes happily.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY