Back in 1996, Rabbi Finman was asked to speak to the niece of one of his students. After spending many hours answering her questions, the woman gave Rabbi Finman her e-mail address. Rabbi Finman wrote the woman a note and included in it a short insight into that week's Parsha and a short Chasidic story.
Realizing that this was something no one was yet doing,, Rabbi Finman sent the missive to his mailing list of about 30 people. Requests from recipients friends came pouring in. The next week Rabbi Finman sent the e-Parsha to 100 people. Within a year more than 2000 people were receiving it. Today, more than 14,000 receive the e-Parsha weekly and the requests keep coming in.
Korach 5778
shliach 5778
Behalosicha 5778
Naso 5778
Bamidbar/Shavuos 5778
Korach 5778
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In memory of Bennie Magy - Bentziyon ben Avraham v Elke Magy, who passed away Menachem Av 22, 5749 - August 23, 1989 and Rose Magy - Rivka Rayzel Bat Chayim Yaakov v'Chaya Tertza Arbit, who passed away Tamuz 2, 5765 - July 9, 2005. May their souls experience a lichtiger Gan Eden - an illuminated Garden of Eden and may their family only experience Simchas from now on. Sponsored by their son Paul Magy - Birmingham, Michigan.
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This week's YouParsha Korach http://youtu.be/J-_RAhMAxNU Korach was a Very Special Person
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This week we read Parshas Korach - Numbers 16-18. Following Korach's rebellion, Aharon was instructed to plant his stick in the Sanctuary. They discovered the next morning that the stick had budded, flowered and produced almonds. Why all three? Would it not have been enough of a miracle if there stick had just produced almonds.
It is explained in the Kaballa that budding, flowering and fruition are in opposition to the three forces of evil alluded to in Ezekiel's vision: Fire, tornado and storm cloud. It is imperative for a Jew to distance themselves from these forces to the utmost. Many other commandments involve three parts. The milah requires removal of the foreskin, inner membrane and collected blood. Sacrifices were offered with the participation of Cohen, Levy and Yisroel. Three mammals could be sacrificed: Bovine, sheep, goat. The sacrifice was comprised of animal, flour and wine. All for the purpose of severing a Jew's tie to the forces of evil.
Korach's approach was through divisiveness. The rectification of his quarrel was a three-fold staff that budded, bloomed and produced almonds. Almonds are the fastest growing fruit. Almonds refer to the alacrity required for performing mitzvahs and learning Torah (The Hebrew word for speed is related to the word for almonds). The very best way to remove oneself from evil is to focus on good.
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Sometimes, Chasidic stories do not have to be about Rebbes who lived 200 years ago. I wrote the following story immediately after it happened nine years ago. I repeat it here in honor of Avrohom Shmuel ben Fruma, A"H, who passed away shortly after this story happened.
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I attended a wedding this week. There, I was introduced to a young man named Dmitry Salita. Dmitry has never fought on Shabbos, keeps kosher and Identifies himself as Chabad (Dmitry has since retired from boxing, lives in Detroit with his wife and children and is a trainer at the famous Kronk gym).
I knew of Dmitry as I learn with a boxing Historian - Avrohom Shmuel ben Fruma. Reb Avrohom has been following Dmitry's career for the last 12 years when Dmitry won his first golden gloves. I introduced myself and asked him if he had time while in Detroit to visit one of his fans. Without hesitation, he agreed.
Reb Avrohom is currently battling leukemia. Visitors must keep visits short as he tires easily. The sign on his closed hospital room door states, "Masks and scrub." No physical contact allowed. We entered the room and Reb Avrohom, sitting in a chair having just completed lunch, greeted me warmly but admitted that he had the strength for only a very short visit. I told him that I did not come to see him but the "guy" behind me did (I am 6'8" and 240 lbs. Dmitry is 5'7" 146 lbs. He was practically invisible behind me)." With no introduction, Reb Avrohom nearly jumped from his chair and excitedly exclaimed, DMITRY SALITA - THE WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD IN MY HOSPITAL ROOM!
We spent close to half an hour together. To show Dmitry that Reb Avrohom knew boxing, I asked him which of Dmitry's fights he believed was the most difficult. Without hesitation, he described a certain fight that Dmitry agreed was indeed a very hard fight. We left the room and Dmitry was more moved than Reb Avrohom. That is a chosid.
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