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
Wednesday, Sivan 30, 5778 / June 13, 2018
B"H
Wednesday, Sivan 30, 5778 / June 13, 2018
Today (Wednesday) & tomorrow (Thursday) is Rosh Chodesh Tammuz.
The first half of this week’s Parsha, Korach, is about the controversy which Korach and his 250 people caused against Moshe and Aaron. Most of the 250 people who were influenced by Korach were from the tribe of Reuben, his neighbors.
From the story of Korach’s negative influence on his neighbors, we learn the importance of having a good neighbor. The sage Nittai HaArbeli tells us in Pirkei Avot, “Keep away from a bad neighbor; Do not associate with a wicked person.”
Korach and some of his people were buried alive, when the earth opened its mouth and consumed them and their families. The 250 men perished by fire.
The Torah tells us that there is no greater blessing than the blessing of peace. The Three-Fold-Priestly Blessing to the Jewish people which ends with the blessing of peace. “May G-d bless you and safeguard you. May G-d cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May G-d lift His face toward you and grant you peace.”
Our sages relate the following: When Aaron saw two people quarreling, he would go to one of them and say, “My son, you should only know how upset your friend is, he is tearing his hair out about the quarrel. He is embarrassed to face you because of what he did to you.” Aaron would sit and talk to him until he removed all anger and bitterness from him. Then Aaron would go to the other person and do the same. In the end, he would make sure that they made peace between them.
In Pirkei Avot, Hillel the Elder says, “Be among the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving people and bringing them closer to the Torah.”
On the lighter side: A 90 year old man comes to the doctor. The doctor gives him a complete physical, puts him through all the tests and is amazed to see that the man is in perfect health.
“You’re in perfect shape. It’s amazing. I don’t even see younger patients looking so good. You must be doing something right. Keep up what you’re doing.”
Then he asks the old man, “Can you tell me your secret?”
“It’s simple. It’s the fresh air. You see, when my wife and I got married seventy years ago, we decided that whenever we get into an argument, one of us will go outside until we both cool down. Now, spending most of my seventy married years outside in the fresh air, that kept me in great shape!”
HAVE A VERY HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & WONDERFUL CHODESH
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