Weekly Parsha

Pray for Refuah Sheimah: Yossefa bat Sharon and Rafael ben Gladis.

Continue Praying: Mariana bat Zulay. 

Mazal Tov to: Fannia Welikson for her birthday.

Va'etchanan

Deuteronomy 3:23 - 7:11

Moshe pleads with G-d to enter the Holy Land, but is turned down. (Remember, G-d always answers your prayers -- sometimes with a "yes," sometimes with a "no" ... and sometimes with a "not yet".) Moshe commands the Children of Israel not to add or subtract from the words of the Torah and to keep all of the Commandments. He then reminds them that G-d has no shape or form and that we should not make or worship idols of any kind.

The cities of Bezer, Ramot and Golan are designated as Cities of Refuge east of the Jordan river. Accidental murderers can escape there to avoid revengeful relatives. They then await there until tried.

The Ten Commandments are repeated to the whole Jewish people. Moshe then expounds the Shema, affirming the unity of G-d, Whom all should love and transmit His commandments to the next generation. A man should wear Tefillin upon the arm and head. All Jews should put a Mezuzah (the scroll is the essential part) upon each doorpost of their home (except the bathroom).

Moshe then relays the Almighty's command not to intermarry "for they will lead your children away from Me" (Deut. 7:3-4).

* * *

"When you beget children and grandchildren and will become old in the Land, you will grow corrupt and make an idol, the image of anything, and you will do evil in the eyes of the Almighty, your God, to anger Him" (Deut. 4:39).

How does having children and grandchildren lead to becoming corrupt and doing evil?

Shouldn't a person always be grateful for what the Almighty has given him?

The answer lies in the Hebrew word, Venoshantem, "becoming old." If one becomes accustomed to what he has, then he no longer appreciates it. If he no longer appreciates it, he no longer feels a sense of gratitude to the Almighty. And without a sense of gratitude, a person will not only neglect his obligations to G-d, but can turn against Him.

The same principle applies in our relationships with our fellow human beings. Therefore, we must always focus anew upon our possessions and the favors we have received. Each day look at your possessions as if you just received them that very day. This will ensure gratitude. This will enhance our lives and those around us!

Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.

Don't raise your kids to have more than you had, raise them to be more than you were.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rav Tank

Online Learning

Rabbi Tank is a professor at the American Jewish College of New York where he teaches classes on Talmud, Chassidism, Jewish History, Contemporary Jewish Law and Jewish Music. Rabbi Tank is dedicated to finding modern usefulness and meaning in ancient wisdom texts, providing spiritual, cultural, social and educational programming for communities around the world.

Click here to contact us

Partners

Join Our Campaign

The wise man seizes the opportunity to do mitzvot" (King Solomon). The lazy person says -- someday I'll do it.