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.
Naso 5785
Bamidbar/Shavuos 5785
Behar-Bechukosai 5785
Emor 5785
Achrei Mos Kedoshim 5785
Bamidbar/Shavuos 5785
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This week's e-Parsha Bamidbar - Special for Shavuos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91IBH5O4ow8
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This week, we begin the book of Numbers with the Parsha of Bamidbar. As its name implies, the book of Numbers features many censuses. Hashem instructed Moshe, the High Priest, Aharon and the leaders of the twelve tribes to conduct a thorough count of the Jewish people. G’d knew how many Jews there were. Why the need of the count?
Only things of significance are counted; money, precious objects, etc. No one counts their trash. By counting the Jews, Hashem established us to be significant. Things of significance are never lost. That that there are Jews after 3338 years of our history, rife with expulsions, persecution, pogroms and holocausts, is an indication that Hashem is giving the Jewish people special attention.
The Jewish calendar is such that this Parsha is always read prior to the holiday of Shavuos, the time of the giving of the Torah. With the giving of the Torah, the Jewish people were given the tools to make the world a better place. Each of the 613 commandments utilizes a physical thing, tefillin, physical leather, tzittzits, physical wool, Shabbos candles, physical candles. When a Jew performs a mitzvah, the item used is elevated to the realm of holiness. We, specifically, were given this task (This is the meaning of Jews being the chosen people) because Hashem deems us significant.
It is interesting to note that each of the world's five major religions boast close to or more than one billion adherents, all, except Judaism. We are significantly fewer than one billion. G’d says, "You are the smallest of nations." Numbers do not matter. Substance counts.
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This week we learn the last Chapter of Pirkei Avos which technically is not part of Pirkei Avos. There are only five chapters to Pirkei Avos, but since it is customary to study this tractate during the six weeks between Pesach and Shavuos, the sages "developed" another chapter to study.
Unlike other parts of the Mishna, Pirkei Avos contains no laws. It is a guide towards ethical behavior. Mishna 4 describes 48 ways in which one acquires the Torah. Of course, study and listening are mentioned, but so is controlling one's desires, being happy and showing genuine compassion, respect and love for another. It makes sense to ascribe diligence in learning as a means for acquiring the Torah, but why the need to respect another?
The Torah is not an academic subject. Torah scholars are not academicians Torah scholars are the embodiment of holiness. The Torah is a lesson book. Every letter of every word contains great moral lessons. The great Greek philosopher and father of Western thought, Aristotle, was once discovered by his students in a brothel (one might ask why the students were there). They asked him, "Aristotle! You have taught us many lessons of moral and chaste conduct. What are you doing here?" He responded, "While I am in here, I am not Aristotle."
His problem was that he approached morals as subject to be taught and discussed. Jews approach morals as an exercise is holiness.
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It is customary to remain awake the first night of Shavuos, engaged in Torah study. Other customs include: eating dairy foods Monday at the first meal, decorating the house and shul with flowers and to attend shul the first day for the reading of the ten commandments.
Reb Levi Yitschok of Berditchev was once visiting the supernal realms. While there, the Soton mounted a massive assault against the Jewish people. He and his helpers brought in box after box, filled with the sins of the Jewish people. Realizing that something must be done, Reb Levi, very quietly took the boxes and destroyed them. The Soton was incensed and demanded that Levi Yitschok return his possessions. Reb Levi, of course could not. The Soton dragged Reb Levi before the Heavenly tribunal, accusing him of robbery.
After much deliberation, the verdict was handed down, guilty. A convicted thief must return double the worth of the stolen item or be sold into slavery. Reb Levi had no choice. He was put up for auction to the highest bidder. On one side the souls of the Patriarchs bid for this precious tzaddik. On the other side, the Soton and his accusers were delighted at the prospect of finally ridding themselves of their arch nemesis. The bidding was fast and furious (don't ask me what currency they used). It looked bad for Levi Yitschok, as the Soton was gaining the upper hand.
Finally, the Almighty himself entered a bid. Even the Soton knows not to bid against G;d. Having won the auction, the Almighty remarked, "Now Reb Levi Yitschok will be my servant, exclusively."
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