VOLUME 111 NUMBER 8
Tamuz 20, 5784
July 26, 2024
PARSHAS PINCHAS
Candlelighting Time 8:00 PM
The end of the parsha is a tremendously lengthy discussion of the different sacrifices that we must offer to Hashem. Of course, we must wonder why this discussion is mentioned at this point? Rabbeinu Bachya explains that when Moshe realized that he was not going into Eretz Yisroel he needed to inform them of these important matters, attending to the service in the Mishkan and later the Beis Hamikdash. Respectful of this understanding, why was there a delay in conveying these halachos until now?
Ohr HaChaim cites the Midrash that when they travelled they also brought the daily sacrifices, now that they were poised to enter into Eretz Yisroel and they would stop their travelling, the nation assumed that the daily sacrifice would end as well. Certainly, this statement of the Sages requires much elucidation. Why did the people draw a parallel between their journeys in the desert and the need for the daily offerings?
Perhaps we can suggest that inherently ongoing travelling potentially creates a risk of instability. After all, the lack of being secure in one place certainly can affect the stability of one’s focus and therefore interfere with a person’s attachment to Hashem. The constant reminder of the daily sacrifice could serve as a guidepost to continuously reflect upon Hashem and their necessity to not lose sight of their important and meaningful relationship with Him. However, once they settled in Eretz Yisroel and enjoyed a degree of security that they did not have before, they assumed the need for the daily offering would not be required.
Moshe taught them that even in Eretz Yisroel with the comfort of a stable and secure environment, they still needed the daily sacrifice. Even in the best of situations, we are prone to distractions in our everyday lives that can throw us off course and we need to reset our WAZE in order to resume our service to Hashem in the most proficient and beneficial manner. Our Sages teach us that the morning daily sacrifice would atone for the sins of the previous day and the evening sacrifice would atone for that day’s sins. Atonement is not just a procedure or protocol, rather it is a state of the individual. When a person’s slate is clear of polluted elements then he can produce in a much more effective manner. Concerning mitzvos this produces a higher operating ambience which allows for performance of mitzvos in an elevated state which brings a person closer to Hashem. That was the message that Moshe imparted to the people before they left his command.
We are now in the midst of the three weeks. A period of deep sorrow and grief for our nation. Our entire nation is embattled from all sides and we desperately require Divine intervention to assist us as always. However, the bottom line that we must reflect upon is the loss of the Beis Hamikdash. All of our trials and travails are rooted in its loss. Once we became unhinged from Hashem, then the ongoing tumble that has generated so much pain and suffering became our reality and it will remain with us until we merit the end of this bitter and awful exile in which we are engulfed. Our problems will not be solved with the IDf’s defeat of Hamas nor will any political machinations bring a halt to the global anti-Semitism that hounds us. Rather the daily sacrifice, our daily offering of studying Torah and performing mitzvos in the most pristine fashion, will eliminate the adversarial element that is assaulting us. May it be His will that in this period of time upon reflecting our loss of the Beis Hamikdash we will possess the wherewithal to alter our course and set new standards for our lifestyle thereby inspiring others to also join us and we will all merit the end of this madness and realize the grandeur of our nation that we so deserve and aspire to.
A BYTE FOR SHABBOS
The war that they waged against Midian rectified their sin that they cohabited with the women of Midian. The hatred that they displayed in their battle against them exhibited a total reversal of their previous conduct.
S’FAS EMES
GOOD SHABBOS
WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF TREMENDOUS POLITICAL UPHEAVAL. TRUMP WAS ALMOST ASSISINATED. DID THE SECRET SERVICE DO ITS JOB OR NOT? NOW THAT BIDEN HAS STEPPED AND WILL HARRIS BECOME THE NEW DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE? WILL BIBI SPEAK TO CONGRESS OR WILL THEY IGNORE HIM? DID THE IDF REALLY CHASE ITS COMMANDER OUT OF GAZA? ALL OF THESE QUESTIONS SEEM TO BE SWRILING AROUND US AND CAPTURING OUR INTEREST. HOWEVER, MAYBE OUR INTERESTES ARE NOT IN SYNC WITH THE TORAH. DOES IT REALLY MATTER WHETHER TRUMP OR HARRIS BECOMES THE NEXT PRESIDENT. WE KNOW THAT KING SOLOMON WROTE THAT THE HEART OF KINGS IS IN THE HAND OF HASHEM. ONLY HASHEM REALLY CONTROLS THE EVENTS THAT ARE TRANSPIRING. DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES WHEN WE OBSERVE THE THREE WEEKS OF MOURNING WHEN THE BEIS HAMIDASH WAS DESTROYED, LET US FOCUS MORE SO ON THE IMPORTANT MATTERS IN LIFE AND THE NOT THE COLLATERAL.