Monday, Tammuz 4, 5785 / June 30, 2025

B"H

Monday, Tammuz 4, 5785 / June 30, 2025

This coming Shabbat we read Parshat Chukat. It is the sixth Parsha in the Book of Numbers (Bamidbar). In it the Torah tells of the passing of two of our greatest leaders, Moshe’s sister, Miriamand his brother, Aaron. They together with Moshe led the Jewish people out of Egypt.

Miriam is first mentioned in the Torah in the Book of Exodus (Shmot) in connection with Pharaoh’s decree that every Jewish male who will be born shall be thrown into the river. Miriam, who served as a midwife to the Jewish women, didn’t obey Pharaoh’s decree. Instead, she made sure that the babies lived and were taken care of.

When Moshe was placed in the basket by the river, it was Miriam who stood there to watch over him and through her intervention with Pharaoh’s daughter, he was given back to his mother for feeding.

We also find that after the Jewish people crossed the Sea; Miriam led the women in song. The Torah tells us that she and the women took their tambourines and sang G-d’s praises for His great miracles. Our sages tell us that the women had more faith than the men. They were sure that G-d would redeem them. They prepared tambourines while still in Egypt for this special occasion.

Throughout the forty years that Jews spent in the desert their entire water supply, came from a well embedded in a rock. The well travelled with them wherever they went. This rock-well was in the merit of Miriam. Thus, when Miriam passed away, in this Parsha, the water supply stopped. It returned only when Moshe mistakenly hit the rock, instead of speaking to the rock. The Parsha tells us that for this mistake, Moshe was barred from entering into the Promised Land.

Miriam passed away at the age of 125. Our sages say that G-d took Miriam’s soul via a G-dly kiss.

Aaron’s passing is also in this Parsha. G-d told Moshe to tell Aaron and his son, Elazar, to go up the mountain called Hor Hahar. There they entered a cave. Moshe took off Aaron’s special Priestly garments and he put them on Elazar. G-d wanted Aaron to see his son becoming High Priest.

In the cave there was a bed prepared and a lamp lit. Moshe told Aaron to lay down on the bed; stretch out his feet & close his mouth and eyes. At that moment G-d took Aaron’s soul with a G-dly kiss. When Moshe saw how peacefully Aaron’s soul was taken, he desired to die the same way. Indeed, Moshe also merited to die the exact way Aaron did, via a G-dly kiss.

Aaron was 123 years when he died. The Torah tells us that the ENTIRE house of Israel mourned Aaron’s passing. Yet, with Moshe’s passing, which is recorded at the end of the Torah, it doesn’t say that the entire house of Israel mourned. Our sages explain, that for Aaron, not only the men but also the women mourned. Because Aaron was a peace maker. Whenever he saw people quarreling he would try to bring peace between them. He would especially get involved in bringing peace between husband and wife. Thus, the ENTIREhouse of Israel (men and women) mourned his passing.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

OUR HEARTS ARE WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY - MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW

Friday, Tammuz 1, 5785 / June 27, 2025

B"H

Friday, Tammuz 1, 5785 / June 27, 2025

Today is the second day of Rosh Chodesh Tammuz. The Torah portion which we will read this Shabbat is Korach.  It begins with the rebellion which Korach, Moshe’s cousin, from the tribe of Levi, led against the leaders of the Jewish people, Moshe and Aaron.

Realizing that the Jewish people of that generation will not go into Israel and that they will stay another 38 years in the desert as a result of their refusal to go forward into the Promised Land, Korach felt that now was the right time to start a rebellion against the leadership of Moshe and Aaron.

Korach was jealous of Aaron being the High Priest. Korach gathered 250 people, mostly from the tribe of Reuben, together they rebelled against Moshe and Aaron.  Korach, who wanted to be the High Priest, argued against Moshe and Aaron by claiming equality for everyone.

Korach said to Moshe and Aaron, "The entire congregation is holy... Why do you exalt yourselves above the congregation?" He used a noble cause to further his argument, equality, but in reality he cared only for himself.  Korach caused a tremendous division within the Jewish people and as a result close to 15,000 people died in a plague. 

The lesson from this story: One can be the champion for a good cause, such as equality for all, as Korach did, but at the same time causing tremendous harm. While G-d created us all equal with a goal of making this world a better place. He gave different duties to certain people. By fulfilling our obligations in what we excel in, to the best of our ability, we all fulfill our life mission exactly as G-d intended.

For example: If a scholar, whose financial means are limited, will make his life goal to give charity and the wealthy person will excel in teaching Torah, rather than giving charity, the world would be lacking.  Each one has to excel in what G-d blessed them with. Then we have a win-win situation.

Q.As mentioned, Korach’s revolt was supported by people from the tribe of Reuben. Why did the people of the tribe of Reuben join Korach’s rebellion more than the other tribes?

A.  The family of Kehot, from which Korach was a descendent, was encamped on the south side of the Mishkan (Tabernacle).  The tribe of Reuben was also encamped on the south side of the Mishkan, right next to Korach and his family.   Being neighbors, Korach was able to influence them to join his revolt.

Our sages teach us: “Keep a far distance from a bad neighbor; Do not associate with a wicked person.. Envy and the search of glory and honor remove a person from this world.”

Sunday is the 3rd day in the Hebrew month, Tammuz, commemorating thirty-one years since the leader of our generation, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, zt"l, passed away. The Rebbe's impact on Jewish life,  through his Shluchim (emissaries) and followers all over the world is felt to this day. It is an auspicious time to reflect and strengthen our own commitment to Judaism & to bring more spiritual holiness into our home. It is a time for resolutions to strengthen our support for Jewish education and to our community.

CHODESH TOV – A HEALTHY, SUCCESFUL MONTH & SHABBAT  SHALOM

Montreal candle lighting time: 8:29 / Shabbat ends: 9:45

Thursday, Sivan 30, 5785 / June 26, 2025

B"H

Thursday, Sivan 30, 5785 / June 26, 2025

Today (Thursday) is the first day Rosh Chodesh of the new Hebrew month Tammuz. Friday will be the second day Rosh Chodesh. In the Torah, where the months are identified by numbers, the month of Tammuz is the fourth month of the year when counting from the month of Nissan.

The story of the spies, which Moshe sent to scout the Land of Israel, which we read about last week, took place mostly during the month of Tammuz.  They began their journey on the last day of the month of Sivan and throughout the entire month of Tammuz and returned on the ninth of Av.

Also, the Golden Calf and the breaking of the Tablets with the Ten Commandments engraved on them, happened on the seventeenth day of Tammuz.

In this week’s Parsha, Korach, we read about Korach and his group who rebelled against Moshe and Aaron’s leadership.  At one point, G-d wanted to destroy the people because of their rebellion, but Moshe wouldn’t hear of it. Moshe prayed for his people. In the end, Korach and some of his people, together with their families and all their wealth were swallowed alive into the ground.

There is a Yiddish saying, when describing how rich someone is, “He is rich like Korach.” Why is Korach being singled out as the richest person? The answer is that a person is rich only while they are alive. No one takes their wealth with them to the grave. But Korach’s wealth went together with him in the ground…  

Moshe pleaded with G-d and tells G-d that it won’t be fair if he lets out his anger on everyone. Moshe pleads, “If one person sins why would you be angry against all?” The Torah describes how time and again Moshe stood up for his people and how his love for his nation knew no bounds.

During their forty years in the desert, Jews rebelled against Moshe time and again, which angered G-d. Yet, Moshe’s love for his people never weakened.  Moshe exhibited a phenomenal amount of love toward his people in spite of all the difficulties he had with them. His loyalty to them never wavered.

At a marriage, under the Chupah (canopy) when the groom puts the ring on the bride’s finger he proclaims, “You are betrothed to me with this ring as per the laws of Moshe and Israel.”

Q.What is the meaning of the words, “You are betrothed to me as per the laws of Moshe and Israel”?

A. In these few words lies the secret of a successful marriage. Moshe was leader of the Jewish people for 40 years. The people didn’t make life easy for Moshe, yet he never abandoned them. Time and again he prayed and pleaded for them. His love for his people knew no bounds, no matter how difficult the situation. The groom is saying to his bride, “You are betrothed to me as per the laws of Moshe and Israel.” No matter what difficulties we may encounter in the future, our love for each other will not waver, just as Moshe and Israel made it work even during the most difficult times. 

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY, SUCCESSFUL DAY & WONDERFUL CHODESH-MONTH

OUR HEARTS ARE WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY - MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW