Friday, Tammuz 9, 5778 / June 22, 2018
B"H
Friday, Tammuz 9, 5778 / June 22, 2018
In Parshat Chukat we read how G-d told Moshe and Aaron to speak to the rock to give water, but instead of speaking, Moshe hit the rock twice. Although the mission was accomplished and the rock gave water, yet it was considered a sin for Moshe for deviating from G-d’s command. As a result, Moshe and Aaron were punished that they wouldn’t enter into the Promised Land.
Q. How did Moshe make the mistake of hitting the rock when G-d told him to speak to it?
A. Forty years earlier, right after the Jewish people left Egypt, they were in a similar situation where they didn’t have any water. G-d then told Moshe to take his staff and hit the rock.
This time Moshe was commanded to take his staff and speak to the rock. Our sages explain that Moshe was angry at the people and addressed them saying, "Hear now you rebels.” Because of his anger, he made the mistake of hitting the rock.
Lesson: “This teaches us,” say our sages, “the destructive power of anger.” Because of this Moshe didn’t merit to go into the land of Israel. Our sages even compare anger to idol worship!
Q. Why is anger compared to idol worship? What’s the connection?
A. Idol worship means that one doesn’t accept Hashem. One of the principles of our faith is that everything which happens in the world is by Divine Providence. A person who becomes angry at someone or something, shows that they do not accept what G-d handed them. It shows that they disagree with G-d’s plan, which at some level is equal to not accepting G-d’s rule.
In this Parsha we read about Aaron’s passing. The Torah tells us that when the people realized that Aaron passed away, “The entire congregation of Israel cried for Aaron.” This includes men and women. However, when Moshe passed away eight months later, only the men cried for him.
The reason: Moshe is referred to as Man of G-d. But Aaron was a people’s person. Aaron was a man of peace who would get involved to bring peace between one person and another and between husband and wife. He was loved by everyone and when he died, even the women cried for him.
On the lighter side:A collector for a worthy cause approached a wealthy man, who never gave charity, for a donation. After a long discussion, he finally convinced him to give a nice donation.
The collector later boasted that he is even greater than Moshe. “Moshe was able to get only water from a stone.. but I was able to get money from a (heart of) stone.
SHABBAT SHALOM
Candle lighting time: 8:28 / Shabbat ends: 9:46
Thursday, Tammuz 8, 5778 / June 21, 2018
Thursday, Tammuz 8, 5778 / June 21, 2018
This Shabbat we read Parshat Chukat.
Thus, from the story of the Exodus, in the Book of Exodus, until last week’s Parsha, Korach, the Torah records a period of less than two years. Then skips 38 years of what happened in the desert. From this week’s Parsha, Chukat, until the end of the Torah is a period of less than a year.
One of the stories in Parshat Chukat is about the passing of Moshe's sister, Miriam. The Torah tells us that when Miriam passed away, the special well which accompanied the Jewish people in the desert, stopped flowing. Our sages explain that the well which was imbedded in the rock, during their 40 year journey, was in her merit. But when she died it stopped flowing.
When the people realized that they had no water, they complained to Moshe and Aaron, "Why did you bring us into this wilderness to die here? Why did you bring us out of Egypt to this evil place... and there is no water to drink."
G-d told Moshe, "Take your rod and assemble the congregation; you and Aaron your brother, and speak to the rock before their eyes and it will give forth its water."
Moshe gathered the people and addressed them, "Hear now you rebels ...." Moshe then hit the rock twice and water came forth abundantly and the congregation drank along with their cattle.
Because Moshe didn't speak to the rock as commanded and hit it instead, G-d said, "Because you didn't believe in Me to sanctify Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you will not bring this assembly to the land which I have given them." G-d decreed that Moshe and Aaron would die in the desert. In this Parsha we also read about Aaron’s passing.
Q. How long did Miriam and Aaron live?
A. Miriam was 125 & Aaron was 123. Miriam passed away almost 4 months before Aaron.
Q. Why did the water flow in the merit of Miriam?
A. Miriam had a special feeling for the young. The Torah tells us that while still in Egypt, under the threat of grave punishment by Pharaoh, she devoted herself to saving Jewish babies despite Pharaoh's death decree on Jewish boys to be drowned.
As a reward for saving the Jewish children from death by water, G-d paid her, measure for measure, and in her merit G-d gave water, to the Jewish people during their 40 years in the desert.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
Thursday, Tammuz 1, 5778 / June 14, 2018
B"H
Thursday, Tammuz 1, 5778 / June 14, 2018
This week's Parsha is Korach. Korach was from the tribe of Levi and a cousin of Moshe. He was one of the wealthiest men who ever lived. Korach was jealous that Moshe didn't appoint him to any position of leadership and as a result revolted against Moshe and Aaron. He also convinced 250 people from the neighboring Tribe of Reuben to join him. They assembled together against Moshe and Aaron and said, “You take too much honor for yourselves. The entire congregation is holy, G-d is among them, so there is no need for your leadership."
"Your argument is not against us," Moshe reminded Korach, "but against G-d who commanded me to appoint Aaron." Moshe couldn't persuade Korach to change his mind. Moshe then told the people to move away from Korach. Then, “the earth opened her mouth and swallowed them up together with their households and all their goods."
To put an end to their complaints, G-d told Moshe to take a staff from each prince of the 12 tribes, plus one from Aaron, and place them before G-d. The next day, Aaron's staff miraculously "put forth buds and blossomed and bore ripe almonds." Moshe presented the rods to the people so they could see that G-d had indeed chosen Aaron.
In the Parsha, the Torah tells us that the Kohen and Levi will not share in the land of Israel. Instead, they must be totally devoted to the service of G-d. Instead of a share in the land, gifts were to be given to them; "All the best of the oil, wine and grain" are to be given to the Kohen. This teaches us that when it comes to charity, we have to give the best.
Maimonides writes, "When a person gives something for G-d's sake, he should donate from the best; when building a house of worship, it should be nicer than his own house; when giving food to the poor, one should give from the best of one's table; when clothing the poor, one should give them from the nicest of one’s clothing."
The Talmud tells: A poor man (who was once wealthy), approached the sage Rava and begged for food. "What are you used to eating?" Rava asked. "I'm used to eating a plump chicken with aged wine," the man replied. Rava was upset. "How can you request such food?" he wanted to know.
"Am I asking people to give me what belongs to them? My food comes from G-d and He gives everyone according to their needs. If G-d wants, He will find a way to provide it!"
Rava had a sister whom he didn't see for thirteen years. As Rava and the poor man were talking, Rava's sister arrived to visit her brother. She brought him a gift: a plump chicken and vintage wine!
When Rava saw this, he turned to the poor man and exclaimed; "Now I see that you are right. G-d does provide each person according to his or her needs. G-d intended it for you!"
HAVE A VERY HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & WONDERFUL CHODESH
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