At times it is easy to forget our purpose in this world. In the work Pardes Rimonim, by Rabbi Moshe Cordevero, we are given a beautiful reminder within his description of the order of the Sefiros. He writes there that before the iniquity of eating from the Tree of Knowledge, the sefirah of Malchus satContinue reading “Our Purpose: Love”
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Sukkos: The Joy of Faith
On Sukkos, we say in the nighttime Kiddush that it is זמן שמחתינו, the time of our joy. The Zohar HaKadosh when talking about this special Yom Tov describes the sukkah as צלא דמהימנותא, the shade of emunah/faith. Seeing that the main mitzva of the full seven days of Sukkos is the dwelling in aContinue reading “Sukkos: The Joy of Faith”
T’shuva: Essence of Repentance
As we prepare for Yom Kippur, the main theme we are confronted with is t’shuva (return, repentance). The word brings to us thoughts of different types of mortifications, such as fasting and other forms of self-denial; or in many circles the acceptance of additional stringencies in halacha to “make-up” for perceived errors. The general feelingContinue reading “T’shuva: Essence of Repentance”
Erev Shabbos Tetzaveh/Purim 5781
A gitten erev Shabbos and a frailichen Purim! This week’s parsha is Parshas Tetzaveh, in which we are instructed in the various garments the Kohanim were to wear, and the construction of the Mizbeach HaZohov (Golden Altar of incense). Interestingly enough, in the sixth aliyah which corresponds to the sixth day, which this year justContinue reading “Erev Shabbos Tetzaveh/Purim 5781”
Holy Purim Customs
The B’Nei Yissoschor says that the custom to dress up and wear masks on Purim is a holy Jewish custom. As proof he brings a long piece from the Zohar explaining how Esther putting on the “sovereign garments” (בגדי מלכות) is a reference to Hashem’s concealed Light being clothed within the Sefira of Malchus, thatContinue reading “Holy Purim Customs”
Wiping Out Amalek Through Purim Wine
It is a reasonable question to ask as to how we perform the mitzva of wiping out Amalek on Purim. The Arizal teaches, as is brought by R’ Tzadok HaKohen m’Lublin and many other Tzaddikim, that through drinking and reversing the phrase “Blessed is Mordechai, Cursed is Haman,” meaning to say “Blessed is Haman (ch’vsh),”Continue reading “Wiping Out Amalek Through Purim Wine”
Nature of Amalek
Seeing as this Shabbos was also Shabbos Zochor, in which we recount the mitzvah to remember what Amalek did to Klal Yisroel on our way out of Mitzrayim, and that Purim is this week, it’s good to understand the nature of Amalek and the avodah of Purim. Amalek, outside of just being a nation inContinue reading “Nature of Amalek”
Erev Shabbos Parshas Terumah 5781
A gitten erev Shabbos! This week’s parsha is Parshas Terumah. We receive here the measurements and directions for building the Mishkan and all the vessels used therein, including the altar, the Mizbeach HaNechoshes (The Copper Altar), as well as the original Menorah. At the very beginning of the parsha, we receive the mitzvah to giveContinue reading “Erev Shabbos Parshas Terumah 5781”
Importance of Fulfilling Mitzvos in Their Time
Hashem loves when Yidden do mitzvos in their proper time. Chazal teach us this in Maseches Pesachim in relation to giving the korban Pesach in its proper time on Pesach rather than waiting until Pesach Sheni. Over there is a wonderful discussion as to when we push off giving korban Pesach until Pesach Sheni withContinue reading “Importance of Fulfilling Mitzvos in Their Time”
Erev Shabbos Parshas Mishpatim 5781
A gitten erev Shabbos and a git choidesh! This week’s parsha is Parshas Mishpatim, and it is also Shabbos Rosh Chodesh Adar. This is the first parsha in which the focus changes from describing events to Hashem giving us mitzvos. In the beginning of the parsha we learn the mitzvos related to the eved IvriContinue reading “Erev Shabbos Parshas Mishpatim 5781”
Yismach Lev 