B"H

Friday, Sivan 11, 5782 / June 10, 2022

The Torah reading this Shabbat in the Diaspora is Parshat Naso. In Israel they will read Parshat Beha’alotcha (one Parsha ahead).  

As mentioned yesterday, Parshat Naso is the longest Parsha in the Torah. In most years it is read on the Shabbat after Shavuot, the holiday in which we celebrate receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai, thus it is very appropriate that on this Shabbat we read the longest Parsha of the Torah.

The Three-fold priestly blessing, with which the kohanim bless the Jewish people, is in this Parsha. This too is very appropriate to be read on the Shabbat after we received the Torah, as Torah brings blessings.

The dedication of the Tabernacle (Mishkan), with its special ceremonies, when the heads of each of the twelve tribes brought their gifts and sacrifices to the Mishkan, is also in this week’s Parsha, Naso.

In connection with the holiday of the giving of the Torah, which we just celebrated, here are questions and answers about the Torah.

Q.  On special days, such as Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh, holidays, Chanukah, Purim and fast days, we read from the Torah. Why do we also read from the Torah every Monday and Thursday, even not on holidays.  What is special about Mondays and Thursdays?

A. The Torah tells us that three days must not pass without Torah. To accomplish this, the sages established that, in addition to Shabbat, we should also read from the Torah every Monday and Thursday.  This way three days will never pass without the reading of Torah.

The reason Mondays and Thursdays were chosen rather than other days, is because on these two days the fairs would be held in the cities and the villagers and farmers from the surrounding areas would come to the fair in the city to sell their produce and buy their needs. Thus, people coming from villages, where there were no synagogues, would also be able to hear the reading of the Torah.

Q.    Why is a Kohen called to the Torah first?

A.   The Torah says that we must give the Kohen, who served in the Temple and blesses the Jewish people, special honors, including the honor of being called first.

Q.  Why, after the kohen gets the first aliya (call up). another kohen cannot be called up after him?

A.  Out of respect for the kohen. People may suspect that the reason another kohen was called is because there is doubt if the first kohen is truly a kohen. Thus, a second kohen cannot be called after the first one. Our sages were so careful (and we should be too) with the respect and feelings of others.  

SHABBAT  SHALOM

Montreal candle lighting time: 8:24 / Shabbat ends: 9:41

B"H

Monday, Sivan 14, 5782 / June 13, 2022

This week’s Parsha is Beha'alotcha.  The Parsha begins with G-d's instructions to Aaron concerning the lighting of the Menorah in the Tabernacle, which had seven lights; one in the center and three on each side.

G-d commands Aaron, "When you kindle the lights, toward the center of the Menorah shall the seven lights shine."  The three wicks on each side of the Menorah are to be pointing toward the center.

Q.   Why did the lights on either side of the menorah have to be pointed toward the center?

A.   Our sages explain that the three lights on the right represent those who are totally committed to spirituality and Torah study.  The lights on the left represent people who spend most of their time in worldly matters.  By pointing the lights toward the center, the Torah teaches us, that no matter whether a Jew is on the left or on the right of the Menorah, the most important thing is that their heart be focused toward the light of G-d – which is represented by the center light of the Menorah.

Instead of using the word "Lehadlik" which means to "kindle," the Torah uses the word "Beha'alotcha" which literally means to "elevate."

The sages discuss the reason for this. Some say that Aaron had to go up several steps in order to light the Menorah. Thus, Aaron had to be elevated to light the Menorah.

The Menorah was not high, so Aaron could have cleaned and kindled the Menorah standing on the ground. However, Aaron had a gold plate on his forehead with G-d's name engraved on it.  Therefore, he was not permitted to lift his hands over that gold-plate. Thus, he had to go up the steps to kindle the Menorah.

Another explanation is that the lights of the Menorah represent the Jewish soul - the Neshama, which is compared to a candle. Just as the flame of the candle draws upward, so too, the Neshama is drawn "upward" to be connected with G-d, its creator. Aaron's mission was to "elevate" the Jewish souls so that they will strive to connect to G-d, just as the flame of the candle continuously strives to go upward.

"Be of the disciples of Aaron," says Hillel in Pirkei Avot.  "Love peace, pursue peace, be one who loves his fellow men and draws them closer to the Torah."

The Midrash tells us that the lights of the Menorah in the Holy Temple were not for G-d’s benefit, but for the benefit of the people.  The Menorah in the Holy Temple brought forth spiritual and holy light to the Jewish nation and to the entire world.

"The function of a Jew is to be a lamp-lighter," said Rabbi Shalom Dov Ber of Lubavitch.  Like G-d commanded Aaron, it is not enough to feel spiritually enlightened ourselves. One should also light up the candles/souls of others by bringing them closer to Torah and Mitzvot.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

Thursday, Sivan 17, 5782 / June 16, 2022

At the end of this week’s Parsha, Beha’alotcha, we read how Moshe prayed for his sister, Miriam, that

G-d heal her from her affliction when she was punished for speaking against Moshe. Moshe’s prayer for Miriam consisted of only three words – “G-d heal her.”

Our sages say that G-d hears our prayers at all times. It dosen’t matter how long or how short one prays. It is the dedication, feeling and intent which matter.

Prayer is very important in a Jew's life. The three daily prayers originated with our patriarchs. The morning prayer with Avraham; the afternoon prayer with Yitzchak and the evening prayer with Yaakov.

Although it is preferable to pray each of the three daily prayers in synagogue with a minyan (quorum), if this is not possible, one should still pray wherever they are.

One can liken prayer to a faucet and reservoir. No matter how much water may be on the other end, if the faucet is not connected to the reservoir or turned on, the water will not flow where it is needed.

The same is with prayer. On G-d's side there is an abundance of blessings, but to receive the blessings on our end, we have to be connected and turn on the faucet. This is done through prayer, through which we acknowledge that we are dependent on G-d and have full trust in Him.

A group of very wealthy Bedouins, with vast oil resources, decided to have a 10 day convention at one of the prominent hotels in New York. When the convention was over and they all left for the airport, the rooms were inspected and to the amazement of the hotel manager, they found that in each of the rooms where they stayed, the faucets were missing!

The police were notified and they caught up with them as they were about to board the airplane.  A thorough check of their bags revealed that each one had a faucet carefully packed away in their bag.

"Just name the price. We will pay you as much as you want for the faucets," they said.

"Why do you want these faucets?" the police asked in amazement.

They replied: "We live in the desert where finding water is a tremendous hassle.  But in the hotel we saw this wonderful gadget which, just with a simple turn, gave as much water as we needed.  This is exactly what we need in the desert and we are willing to pay any price…"

In order to get the flow, there must be a connection. One of the translations for "Tefilah" (prayer) is "connection."  Just like water flowing from the faucet has to be connected to the reservoir, so too, in order for G-d's blessings to flow to us, we have to connect to G-d Who is the source of blessings. This is accomplished through prayer which is our connection to G-d and keeps G-d's blessings flowing.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY