Parashas Yisro - Teshuva is the best stain remover !

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Half way into reading this week's Parasha last year, I couldn't help but ask myself, "Why was Yisro zocheh to have a Parasha named after him!?" There were so many other characters throughout our Torah and Yisro was someone who was chosen.

Yisro wasn't an ordinary person. He was once a Rasha, an advisor of Pharoh, an idol-worshiper, and a priest!

I came to the conclusion: Someone who has once tasted sin, participated in idol worship etc, and left it all behind in order to join Bnei Yisroel, is not so simple.

The Ba'alei Ha'Mussar say that a person who has done certain aveiros and then repents has more reward than someone who has never been faced with that same test. They explain the reason is because someone who has tasted the taste of the aveira now has a harder time letting go, which ultimately means putting up a stronger fight.

While processing everything above, I was amazed by the concept of Teshuva!

Yisro lived both worlds; the world of idol worship and the world of Judaism. He chose to do complete Teshuva because he recognized the truth and believed in the One above.

However, what about Yisro's past? Yisro never the less did worship idols! It's one thing to compliment Yisro's accomplishments, but to go so far and name a Parasha after him; was that necessary?

I believe it was very necessary. It's a powerful message; it gives hope to those who have sinned in the past; whether stealing, lieing, committing adultry, etc... We see the power of Teshuva!

The difference between Judaism and other nations are pashut here:

Let's say one were to commit murder; you better believe that name will be found on the police record. Or let's say one gets his licence revoked for driving drunk; that person has just stained his 'credit' on insurance policies, and definitely police records. That stain will never come off. You can plead with the cops and judges all you want, but there's no way you will be able to erase the record.

Judaism on the other hand differs here: Let's say one were to rob a bank; once he/she has done teshuva, that 'stain' is now nullified. It's as if he/she had never commited theft in his/her life. [1]

You don't believe it? I think the title for this week's parasha is proof. Yisro had many stains - before he did teshuva, that is. Once he returned to the truth, he was known as a tzaddik.

You can ask, "What about Parashas Balak or Korach? Those were named after rashaiim, so this week's title is no proof?" The answer is; the title is showing you the difference between tzidkus and rishus. Parashas Balak and Korach show how evil those characters were; mah sh'ein kein by Parashas Yisro - the Torah shows how rightous he was.

May we be zocheh to do complete teshuva!

Have a wonderful Shabbos,
Nisso

[1] I heard this idea from Rav Akiva Tatz, shlita's tape.

Parashas Beshalach - We are NOT our emotions!

This week's Dvar Torah has been sponsored for:
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It's a little frightening when my son 'hangs around' the oven while we're baking. Like all little children, he's always curious, wondering, what's in there baking. He always wants to know why is there steam everytime Mommy and Daddy opens the oven door (seems like a cool toy.) He always tests us and tries to open the oven door but to his disappointment, we always refuse to let him do it. Last week, my son slightly burned the tip of his finger because he somehow managed to get into (literally) the candy my wife made which came right off the stove. Baruch Hashem, it was nothing bad.

This morning (Wednesday), we opened up the oven door and saw him getting near. We told him (like we always do,) "it's hot, don't touch!" Today, for the first time, he backed off without trying to test us. He learned his lesson. We always warned him that the oven was hot and so are the things that came out of it. After we warned him today, he just repeated "don't touch" after us, and walked away. That gave me a lot of nachas. He'e such a smart little boy, unlike some people I will soon mention. (Don't worry, there's no Lashon Harah, you'll see what I mean.)

In this week's parasha, it says, "The pillar of cloud moved." Rashi comments, "The cloud esscorted Bnei Yisroel in the day, and the fire took over once it became dark. Once it became dark, the pillar of cloud completed its 'job', letting the pillar of fire take the next shift. The cloud was not removed as it usually disappeared in the evening, rather it continued to move behind them to make it dark for the Egyptians." [1]

Hashem made every plague last seven days. However, by Makkas Choshech, there were only six days of darkness. Three days of regular darkness were followed by three intense days of darkness, where the Egyptians literally couldn't move. If they were standing, then they remained standing; and if they were sitting or bent over, they would remain in that position. The seventh day was saved for this occasion, a time when the Jews feared that the Egyptians would get near and kill them by the Reed Sea. Bnei Yisroel were scared because they were surrounded in every direction: wild beasts from their right and left, the Dead Sea in front of them, and the Egyptians behind them. [2]

A question has been bothering me for a year already: If they Egyptians witnessed the darkness brought by the cloud, then why didn't they back off? They already suffered through Makas Choshesh! Now that they are faced with the maka once again, why didn't they retreat? Didn't they learn their lesson from the first time they got hit? Instead, they insisted in pursuing Bnei Yisroel! Honestly, that seems like stupidity to me. I mean, come on, my son was even able to figure that one out on his own, and he's only (almost) two! He knew that he once got burned from the hot oven, so now it's a good idea to stay away from it.

I believe the answer is: Pharoh and his men were driven through anger. Their emotions got the best of them. When a person lets his/her emotions over take their bodies, they start to take action through illogical thinking. Emotions are part of a person, but emotions are NOT who the person actually is.

If we thought about this and understood it, we would live happier lives. For example: Happiness is a state of mind. When we get overwhelmed with emotions (sadness, fear, anger, etc...), our happiness starts to deteriorate. However, just as sadness, fear, or anger are emotions that effect the way we live; and we make decisions upon those feelings, so too happiness is an emotion! There's no reason to let the sadness override our happiness.

May we live a happy, healthy, and good 'decision making' (long) lives.

Have a wonderful Shabbos,
Nisso

[1] Shemos 14:19
[2] Shemos Rabba 14:3

Parashas Bo - Miracles happen everyday, can you tell?

This week's Dvar Torah has been sponsored for:
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May you have health, happiness, and success!
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It says in this week's parasha that as the Jews left Egypt, not one dog lifted it's tongue at Bnei Yisroel or their flocks because they knew how to differenciate between the Jews and the Egyptians.[1]

That was considered a miracle. What was so miraculous about the dogs not barking at Bnei Yisroel? What significance does this have to us? Why did Hashem perform this miracle when He just made so many bigger, greater, more wonderous miracles?

Not to mention the fact that we've seen this type of miracle before by other plagues. (1) By makkas dam, the Jews were able to have all the water they wanted, while the Egyptians had to buy their water off the Jews, because everything that contained liquid turned into blood. (2) By makkas barad, the hail only destroyed the Egyptian's crops, leaving the Jews' property untouched.

Dogs refraining themselves from barking at the Jews was nothing compared to the other plagues Hashem brought specifically upon the Egyptians. So I ask again, what can I learn from this maaisa? What significance does it have to me, the reader?

Rav Zelig Pliskin expains: "Coming out of Mitzrayim was such a joyful experience. Hashem didn't want to ruin Bnei Yisroel's experience even in the slightest way. So from here we can learn that whenever someone is experiencing a joyous occassion, we should be careful not to say or do anything that would decrease their joy." [2]

I would like to suggest a different lesson. A small miracle like a dog refraining from barking at the Jews, never-the-less is still a miracle. It shouldn't be something we push aside just because Hashem performed other miracles which seem to be greater or 'harder' in our eyes.

Similarly, just because we witness something everyday [for example: Have we ever thought about how hard it would be for us to hold things with our hands if we didn't have any thumbs? How about the times we have a stuffy nose and can't smell beautiful scents? Or even when the water company decides to shut off our water supply to fix something and we don't have water to: take showers, do the dishes, drink something, do laundry, water our plants/crops, etc... Where do you think the water comes from? Hashem!] doesn't take away from the fact that it's still a miracle. The problem is, we get so 'use' to these 'small' miracles that we take it for granted.

Last night I was coming back from the Old City and as I got off the first bus, the second bus had just pulled out of the bus stop. I was a bit disappointed that I would now have to wait an extra 20 minutes for the next bus and it was already way past 11pm. The bus was now two blocks down and I thought I would never be able to run to the next bus stop on time. Baruch Hashem for the wonderful miracles He does, the bus stopped at a red light (two blocks down) and I was able to run all the way to the next bus stop leaving me enough time to get there and catch my breath :) That just seemed like a regular schedule, but it really was not. It was a miracle; but if we are too blinded, we may not notice.

May we be aware of the wonderful miracles Hashem does for us whether they be big or small.

Have a wonderful Shabbos,
Nisso

[1] 11:7
[2] Growth through Torah

Parashas Va'eira - Nothing is hidden from Hashem!

This week's Dvar Torah has been sponsored for:
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(If you would like to sponsor a Dvar Torah, feel free to email me: SharingTorah@gmail.com)
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Pharoh was the king of Egypt, who also liked to be known as 'god'. As a matter a fact, he told the Egyptians that he was a god. He claimed that he never had to use the toilets because he simply didn't need them. Before makkas dam (blood), Hashem asked for Moshe to meet Pharoh by the Nile River - early in the morning - because that's where he would relieve himself. [1] He woke up earlier than anyone else would in order to keep his secret discreet. He might be able to fool the Egyptians, however, nothing is hidden from Hashem!

The posuk says, "Moshe and Aharon came to Pharoh and they did exactly as Hashem commanded them... Pharoh too called his wise men and magicians..." [2] Why does the posuk need to say the word 'too'? It seems extra because the posuk would of read well without it anyways, and we know that the Torah never adds any unnecessary words.

Incidentally, every year I hear the same question, "How is it that Bnei Yisroel sinned with the golden calf? They witnessed Hashem's hand and saw miracles happen right before their eyes! Why did they feel like they needed to make another 'god' just because Moshe was no longer with them?!

I believe both of the above questions can be answered by this one posuk: Hashem said to Moshe, "See, I have made you a G-d to Pharoh; and Aharon, your brother will be your spokesman." [3] Rashi says 'G-d' here means a judge. Yonasan ben Uziel (and perush Yonasan) says on this posuk, "And Hashem said to Moshe, 'Why are you afraid of Pharoh? On the contrary! He's afraid of you, because I have turned you into a G-d. It seems like Yonasan ben Uziel's definition of 'G-d' is different than Rashis. He takes the word literally, where Rashi says it means judge.

Pharoh viewed Moshe as a 'god' (according to Yonasan ben Uziel's pshat in the posuk.) And Moshe had a 'spokesman' (Aharon), who took care of what Moshe instructed. This was Pharoh's judgment. Since Pharoh too viewed himself as a god to the Egyptians, it seemed fit that he too, like Moshe (who he viewed as a god) called his spokesmen (wise men and magicians) to perform witchcraft.

Since the posuk mentioned the extra word, 'too', it showed how much Pharoh believed that Moshe was a god in his eyes. And perhaps we can assume that to some level, Bnei Yisroel felt the same way, which is why they felt they must "create a new god (leader)" once they saw that Moshe was dead.

Pharoh was stubborn and ignorant. He made it as if he was a god, ignoring the fact there's Someone more powerful than him - someone legitimate. One who knows all and sees all. Nothing is hidden from Hashem, and there's nobody who will ever be like Him.

May we always remember that although flesh and blood can't see our actions, however there is Hashem, the One who does.

Have a wonderful Shabbos,
Nisso

[1] 7:15
[2] 7:10-12
[3] 7:1

Parashas Shemos - Man proposes and G-d disposes

This week's Dvar Torah has been sponsored for:
Refua Shelema: Leah Ayala Bas Yehudis
May you have health, happiness, and success!
(If you would like to sponsor a Dvar Torah, feel free to email me: SharingTorah@gmail.com)
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I once ate by someone for Shabbos. They seated me in between two of their little kids (I wasn't too excited.) I couldn't stop thinking about how much I would appreciate it if they didn't get their tiny, little, kiddy, (dirty) fingers on me. I couldn't move my chair to the left or to the right because I was surrounded! I managed throughout the meal to stay clean (not from myself - from them), but for dessert they served gooey fudge chocolate cake. I normally would have been like, "Yes! Awesome dessert!" but here - nuh uh, I just thought, "No WAY!!"

The ba'al habayis was in the middle a dvar Torah, when I noticed the kid on my right looking at me. His face was covered with chocolate! I knew exactly what was about to happen! His mother was going to look over to him and see the mess and clean him right up. Right? WRONG! Instead of what I would have LOVED to have happened, this cute little angel (can you hear the sarcasm?) wiped his whole face on my freshly ironed white shirt. My arm was covered with chocolate! The amazing thing is you'd think I got most of the chocolate off his face but his face seemed like it hadn't even been touched!

After that shabbos, whenever I went to someone's house and saw more than one available seat - I would try to get the seat which wasn't too close to any of the younger kids, someone annoying, or someone who smells. :) The problem is, "Man Plans and G-d Laughs!" I've noticed that if I was destined to sit next to someone, it will happen either way. If G-d intended for hot soup to be spilled on me, or me sitting next to someone who was really smelly (all true stories), then it will indeed happen.

I remember once making sure to sit in between two friends (trying to avoid a specific kid or host's children) picking our seats, but then something happening which interrupted my plan, whether the hosts had already arranged seats for us, or whatnot. Since then, I couldn't care less who sat next to me.

Man proposes and G-d disposes!

In this week's parasha, we see a lot of that going on. Jews were multiplying very quickly and Pharoh was getting nervous. He was worried that maybe the Jews would start to build an army and try to conquer Egypt. He commanded all his men to kill off the male babies. His astrologers told him they see that a baby boy will be born in Egypt (they were not sure whether he would be Jewish or Egyptian) and he will redeem the Jews.

Pharoh tried changing Hashem's plan and commanded that all newborn boys, whether Jewish or Egyptian, be tossed into the Nile. "We must stop this redeemer from growing up and playing the role he was meant to play in life," he thought.

Little did Pharoh know, not only was this newborn saved, but he was raised in Pharoh's own palace! This little boy's name is Moshe.

Hashem has a plan for all of us. If it's meant to be, then it's meant to be. No matter what we do to try and change them, it will still happen. Not to be confused with "free-will"; we have that as well. That is another topic.

Have a wonderful Shabbos,
Nisso

Parashas Vayechi - Fighting Our Yeitzer Hara

This week's Dvar Torah has been sponsored for:
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In Parashas Vayechi, Yaakov was on his death bed. As the time drew closer, Yaakov called for Yosef and requested that his body be buried - with his father Yitzchak and grandfather Avraham - in Ma'aras Hamachpeila.

Yaakov specifically did not want to be buried in Egypt for several reasons:

• It's soil will ultimately become lice.
• The dead who are buried outside Eretz Yisroel will be resurrected only by suffering the pain of rolling through underground tunnels.
• So that the Egyptians didn't turn his body into something they worship. [1]

Yaakov felt so strong about these reasons, he made Yosef swear to him that he would fulfill his wishes. Yosef agreed and then Yisroel (Yaakov) prostrated himself at the head of the bed.

Rashi gives two reasons for Yaakov's prostration:

1. Hashem's Shechina was there. (From here we see that Hashem's Shechina hovers above the sick person's head.
2. He was glad that his bed was complete (perfect): none of his offspring were wicked. Specifically, Yosef, who was loyal to Hashem as a slave, was held captive among other nations, and became a king, yet still conquered his Yeitzer Hara and remained a Tzaddik. [2]

The second reason Rashi gave blows me away. Yaakov was really old and literally on his death bed - yet he still prostrated himself because of the honor he showed for Yosef's success in fighting off the Yeitzer Hara!

Yosef was (a) hated by his brothers, (b) thrown into a pit with dangerous creatures, (c) sold to Arabs, (d) a slave, (e) seduced by Potifar's wife but fought it out and won, (f) thrown into jail, etc...

He was put through so many tests. He could have been angry at Hashem for having make him go through all those experiences, and instead, Yosef fought the battle until he won!

Things like this happen in our daily lives; whether it's someone who has a stealing issue, shmiras enayiim issue, low self esteem issue, etc... These are all things that can be conquered. Hashem doesn't throw at us tests which we can not pass. He has 100% confidence in us that we can conquer the Yeitzer Hara, otherwise we wouldn't be put in these tests to begin with.

Praiseworthy is one who fights his battles and wins. We see from Yaakov how honorable it is for someone to fight his battles (whatever they may be) and succeed. He put in the extra effort to 'salute' Yosef's victory even in a time of weakness and frail.

Fighting the best we can, showing Hashem that we are His true soldiers and His servants is looked highly upon.

May we all live up to Hashem's high expectations of passing all His tests!

Have a wonderful Shabbos,
Nisso

[1] Bereishis Rabba 96:5
[2] 47:31

Parashas Vayigash - Keeping a Safe Container

This week's Dvar Torah has been sponsored for:
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Last shabbos, I went on a seminar called, 'Call of the Shofar'. It was a very nice shabbos. A lot of inspiration, learning, and connecting. "The organization creates and facilitates 'powerful, transformational experiences which combine ancient truths of Judaism, modern psychological knowledge and unique experiential processes.' The system combines; A clear understanding of principles that lead to personal wellbeing and relational health, safe opportunities to deepen individual awareness and ongoing communal support."[1]

It's the type of seminar where anyone could gain by going. Whether it's a person who wants to understand more about the Torah views on life, one who has an issue from his past and needs to deal with it, or even one who is looking to get trained on coaching other people. I would recommend it to anyone.

Over that weekend, I felt as if I was able to speak my mind without having to worry whether I wouldn't be accepted, would be mocked, or embarrassed. We were all able to be authentic. It was only because we turned the environment into our own 'safe container'. Some people shared pretty personal stories with the group and others even cried. After the weekend, we all felt a strong connection to each other because we'd opened up and went to great lengths not to cause other people embarrassment.

In Parashas Vayigash, Yehuda had a 'talk' with Yosef for keeping Binyamin, their youngest brother, hostage. The Midrash says Yehuda was furious! Some say his eyes were dripping with blood, while others say he would grind iron bars with his teeth; and others say he tossed a huge heavy stone in the air, caught it, and crushed it with his feet. [2] Yaakov said earlier, "If I lose Binyamin too, it will be as if I lost my wife Rachel, my sons Yosef, and Binyamin all on the same day!" This shows you how important it was for Binyamin to come back home with the brothers and Yehuda was willing to do everything in his power to bring Binyamin back.[3]

Yehuda asked Naftali to count the amount of districts there were in the capitol of Egypt. Naftali quickly returned saying twelve. Yehuda said he would wipe out three, and the rest of the brothers will each take one. "We will make sure that not one person will remain alive," he said.[4]

Yosef knew that he could not wait any longer. He must reveal himself to his brothers, otherwise they would destroy the whole city.[4]

The posuk says, "Yosef could not contain his emotions in the presence of all who stood before him. And he cried out, 'let everyone leave my presence.' No man remained with him, when Yosef revealed himself to his brothers."

An insight I want to share: Yosef also wanted to create a safe container. A place where he could share personal information with his brothers. Rashi comments that Yosef couldn't bear the fact that the Egyptians standing by him would be listening to what he had to tell his brothers, which would ultimately humiliate them. So he ordered the Egyptians to leave, so that the room (container) would remain safe.

Yosef tried protecting his brothers from humiliation, just like everyone over the weekend tried protecting one another by keeping the container safe and comfortable.

A special thank you to those who experienced last shabbos with me, and thanks to all my subscribers for reading.

Have a wonderful Shabbos,
Nisso

[1] For more info, visit: www.CalloftheShofar.org
[1] Bereishis Rabba 93:7
[2] Taken from The Midrash Says
[3] Bereishis Rabba 93:8