B"H

Monday, Iyar 3, 5780 / April 27, 2020

This Shabbat we read two Parshiot, Acharei& Kedoshim. There are 79 mitzvot in these two Parshiot.

Although our sages instruct us that we should observe the mitzvot not for the sake of their reward, only out of love for G-d, nevertheless, we find in these two Parshiot that G-d promises reward for observing the mitzvot. Reward should not be the primary factor for doing the mitzvot, but G-d rewards every good deed we perform. 

In fact, believing that there is reward and punishment is one of the thirteen principles of our faith.  However, the less one thinks about the reward when performing a mitzvah, the more is the reward.

In the beginning of the third chapter of Pirkei Avot, which we will recite Shabbat, the sage Akaviya ben Mahalalel gives us the following advice to help us refrain from committing sin and assist us to observe the mitzvot; “Know from where you come; to where you are going and before whom you are destined to give an accounting…before the Holy One, blessed be He.”

Knowing that everyone is destined to give an accounting for everyaction we perform during our life-time, should cause us to refrain from sin and to accomplish, in this world, as many mitzvot as possible.

Q.Why are angels not rewarded for performing G-d’s mission, yet, we, do get reward for doing mitzvot?

A. The Midrash gives the following parable; A king had a wine cellar full of barrels of rare and expensive wines.  The king was afraid that robbers might attempt to steal his precious wine, so he therefore hired special guards to guard the wine.  Amongst the guards were some notorious alcoholics, who were also entrusted to safeguard the wine.

At the end of the month, the king ordered an inspection of the cellar and found that the barrels were intact and full of wine. He commanded that the guards be paid.  However, he gave special instructions that the guards who were alcoholics should get double the salary. 

“It’s not fair,” protested the other guards. “Why should they get paid more. We all worked the same?”

The king replied, “No. You didn’t work the same.  Can you imagine the self-restraint these guards had not to touch the wine.  I paid them more for theirextra effort.”

The same is with reward for mitzvot.  Angels have no temptations and performing their mission comes naturally to them.  But we were created with temptations which we have to overcome.  It is for this effort that G-d gives us reward and the greater the effort, the greater the reward. 

In fact, when we perform a mitzvah and good deed, we stand spiritually much higher than an angel.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Tuesday, Iyar 4, 5780 / April 28, 2020 (19^th day of the Omer)

The Torah reading this Shabbat will be the two Parshiot, Acharei and Kedoshim.

Parshat Kedoshim begins, “G-d spoke to Moshe saying, Speak to the entire congregation of the Children of Israel, and say to them, You should be holy, because I, G-d your G-d, am holy.  A person should fear his mother and father and observe My Shabbat for I am G-d, your G-d.”

In general, Moshe didn’t pass on G-d’s commandments and teachings to the entire congregation at the same time. He would teach his brother Aaron first, then Aaron’s children, then the elders and after he would teach everyone else. But the mitzvot in this Parsha, G-d told him to, “Speak to the entire congregation” -to teach everyone together. This teaches us that in order for us to be holy, as the name Kedoshim implies, we must all be together as one people.

Also, Parshat Kedoshim is special because we find in it many mitzvot which are similar to the Ten Commandments; “I am G-d, your G-d”: “Observe Shabbat”; “Respecting parents”; “Do not steal”. Just like the Ten Commandments were given in the presence of the entire Jewish nation, so too, G-d wanted Moshe to relate this Parsha in the presence of the entire nation.

Q.   Why does the Torah connect fearing/honoring parents and the mitzvah of observing Shabbat?

A.  This teaches us that G-d’s commandments take precedence.  Thus, if parents command a child to violate Shabbat, one must listen to G-d’s commandment and not violate the Shabbat.

Another reason: There are three partners in the creation of a child; father, mother and G-d.  The reason we observe Shabbat is stated in the Ten Commandments, “Six days you shall work and perform all your labor, but the seventh day is a Shabbat.. because in six days G-d made the heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them,  and He rested on the seventh day.”

Observing Shabbat is our confirmation that G-d is the creator of the universe. Honoring parents and observing Shabbat is our expression of gratitude to the three partners responsible for bringing us into this world. This is why the Torah combines respecting parents and observing Shabbat. Also, in the Ten Commandments, honoring parents and observing Shabbat are next to each other.

Q.  Why does the Torah add the word, “A person” should fear his mother and father. Moshe was speaking to the entire congregation, he should have said, “You should fear your mother and father”?

A.   The word “Ish” – “a person”is used for someone who is anadult.  By adding the worda person the Torah wants to emphasize that even when one is an adult and is not dependent on his/her parents anymore, they still must honor their parents. One must honor and respect parents not for any ulterior motive, only because they are our parents.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Friday, Iyar 7, 5780 / May 1, 2020 (22^th day of the Omer)

This Shabbat we read the two Parshiot, Acharei Mot & Kedoshim. Acharei Mot means, “After the death.” This refers to the passing of Aaron’s two sons, Nadav & Avihu, who perished om the day of the dedication of the Mishkan (Tabenacle). Kedoshim means, “holy.”

Although these are two different Parshiot and in many years they are read separately, there is a connection between the two Parshiot just by the translation of their names.

Our sages tell us that when Aaron lost his two sons, Moshe said to Aaron, “I knew that G-d name would be sanctified on that special day of the dedication of the Mishkan, by the greatest of our people. I was sure it was going to be me or you. However, now I realize that your two sons were greater than both of us. This is why G-d took them, not us!” The Torah tells us, “When Aaron heard this, “Aaron was quiet.” He accepted his lot.

I mention this as last week we remembered the Kedoshim – the most Holy souls of our generation, who were murdered and perished in the Holocaust. Six million of our best and holiest. Just as Moshe told Aaron that his sons were taken because they were the best and holiest, so too, the six million myrters were our best and holiest.

This week was also Yom Hazikaron – Remembrance Day for the fallen soldiers of the Israeli Defense Forces, who gave their lives to defend the Holy Land and protect the millions of Jews in it.

Aaron, who could have complained and be upset at G-d for taking his two children, instead, he continued to perform his service in the Mishkan.

Aaron knew that his two sons continue to live on in a spiritual form and were now closer to G-d. The Torah says that they passed away, “when they came closer to G-d.” Aaron knew and appreciated that true life was the spiritual form of life. It’s the life of the Neshama (soul). It’s a life that has no death associated with it, for it is an everlasting and eternal life. May the souls of the fallen heroes of the IDF rest in peace in Gan Eden.  

This week was 72 years of one of the greatest miracles of our time – the miracle of the State of Israel. In only 72 years the land of Israel was transformed from a wasteland to one of the most successful countries in the world and the greatest Torah center of the world. 

This miracle is even greater when we consider that it took place right after one of the greatest tragedies and disasters which happened to us, when a third of the Jewish nation, six million, men, women and children, were so brutally murdered throughout Europe. Today, we give special thanks to Hashem for the great miracle of Israel. May we see the fulfilment of Am Yisrael Chai – Israel lives and will live forever! May we merit the coming of Moshiach NOW!

SHABBAT  SHALOM

Montreal Candle lighting time: 7:43 / Shabbat ends: 8:53