Dedicated in memory of Rachel Leah bat R' Chaim Tzvi

Volume 4 Number 44 Brought to you by Naaleh.com

Parsha Journeys: Parshat A Dwelling Place For Hashem Based on a Naaleh.com shiur by Hanoch Teller

The conveys the significance of tzniut However, the commandment to build the ark from one source. The flames of the menorah (modesty) with the account of the building of was given before this, to teach us that the pointed towards the center to teach us that all the mishkan. Although it was a beautiful word of Hashem is more important than its intellectual achievements must be directed to structure, it was covered with many curtains. domicile. the central authority of the Torah. The more holy something is, the more modest it must be. Some Torah scholars who embody The menorah symbolized the majesty of the The Torah’s command to make menorah is Torah wear a long coat. Similarly, the mishkan. It was placed outside the Holy of given in the passive form, “It shall be made.” gadol was commanded to wear eight Holies to tell us that the ark and the Torah it This implies that the menorah came into being garments. contains is its own light. It does not require without human intervention. Why then was external illumination. The menorah was Moshe commanded to fashion it? A Jew must After the sin of the , Hashem said, constructed out of one piece of . This be willing to do his part, to study and learn and “V’asu li mikdash v’shachanti b’tocham.” Build signifies the indivisibility of Torah. Jewish life do as much as he possibly can. Only then will for me a sanctuary and I will rest among you. embodies one set of values and must emanate Hashem step in and bless his efforts.

Simchat Purim Based on a Naaleh.com shiur by Mrs. Shira Smiles

The Sefer Hema Yanachamuni notes that the the moment that his wife no longer believed in The feeling that Hashem cares about us and is megilah reveals an interesting juxtaposition of him, he lost all belief in himself too. And when interested in a relationship with us should fill a four personalities: Esther, Mordechai, Haman Achashveirosh condemned Haman to death, person with simcha. A Jew can attain this level and Zeresh. Mordechai epitomized emunah he did not even plead for his life. by recognizing how much Hashem has given and the ability to maximize the moment. As he him and continues to give him. comes got on the horse to be led through the city by The Lubavitcher Rebbe taught that a Jew must from the root word zavta-connection. The Haman, he seized the opportunity to give value the preciousness of every moment. You happiness a person has at the moment of Haman a swift kick. Although he had come cannot add more minutes to the day but you doing a mitzvah is the joy of knowing that he’s from mourning and would return to mourning, can utilize each one to the fullest. Living in the coming closer to Hashem. at the moment of salvation he grabbed the here and now and appreciating the opportuni- opportunity to teach his enemy a lesson. ties given to you at the moment, is the key to Megilah comes from the root word, l’galot, to true simcha. uncover. Esther comes from the root word Our sages say, “One who keeps a mitzvah will hester, concealment. Reading the megilah not know any harm.” The Kohelet Emunah and simcha go hand in hand. When reveals the hiddenness of Hashem that is Rabbah says this refers to Esther who was Moshe was critiqued for striking the rock, it found behind the veil of nature. Hashem’s involved in the mitzvah of burning her was because his anger showed a lack of trust. name is not written in the megilah; we have to chametz. She grasped the moment and Recognize that whatever situation you are in is find Him. The joy of Purim is knowing that responded accordingly. Although she was a tailor made for you. This recognition will bring Hashem is intimately involved in our lives. lone Jewish woman in a palace filled with you happiness. Your mission is not to fight chametz, she did not lose hope. She pain, but to embrace it. Pain in life is One way to concretize our inspiration on Purim recognized that although she couldn’t deal inevitable. Suffering is optional. Saying, “When is through mishloach manot. When we feel with the larger picture, she could rectify her I have…, then I will…,” is the attitude of all or love for Hashem it spills over to His children. own small world. nothing. It is the mindset of Haman. We say The seudah is propitious time for prayer and every morning in Shachrit, “She’asa li kol expressing our gratitude to Hashem for His In contrast, Haman had an all or nothing tzorki,” Hashem provides us exactly what we constant goodness. May we merit to hold on to attitude. At the pinnacle of wealth and honor need. Believing this with perfect faith will bring the joy and intense connection of Purim he said, “All of this is worth nothing to me a person to true joy. throughout the year. when I see Mordechai at the gate and he does not bow down to me.” His wife Zeresh The were exiled because they did not shared his approach. After leading Mordechai serve Hashem with joy. The explains through the streets she said, “If you are that if one loves the Commander it follows that starting to fall then you have no hope.” From one will be happy to fulfill His commandments.

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Volume 4 Number 44 Brought to you by Naaleh.com

Builder of Her Home: Challah #11 Based on a Naaleh.com shiur by Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller Separating challah from the dough is the way dough, you shall uplift the challah.” Blessing in benefit the members of her household. She in which a woman takes what’s within her the home isn’t just what you have, but in the does not deceive herself with the idea that home and dedicates it to Hashem. Taking way it’s perceived. The mentality of prosperity they are somehow impeding her. By working to challah is compared to taking tithes. Both is finding the blessing hidden within one’s life achieve her purpose, the woman uplifts herself mitzvot strengthen our emunah. Emunah is and believing that what you have is what you and her family. believing that everything comes from need. The mentality of lacking is thinking that Hashem, that it is all good, and if it doesn’t what you have is a pale reflection of what you In Parshat Lech Lecha, the Torah writes that feel good it is a tikun (rectification). When a could have and always searching for more. Paro gave gifts to Avraham for Sarah’s sake. man takes maaser from his hard-earned This teaches that blessing comes in the merit crops, he admits that his ability to work the The farmer is forced to have faith. There’s of the woman. The writes that Rabbah land and the produce he reaps come from a nothing a person can do to force the land to said to the Benei Mechoza, “Respect your higher source. Similarly, when a woman takes bring forth crops. Yet it’s not enough to believe, wives because through them you will become challah, she attributes the raw materials and one must also respond. The response is wealthy.” her creativity and ability to refine it to terumah and maaser, acknowledging that Hashem. This creates emunah in the home Hashem is the master of all things. Similarly, a Hashem promised Avraham, “I’ll bless you, the same way maaser is meant to increase woman’s home is her dominion. It’s easy to increase your name, and you’ll be a blessing, her husband’s emunah in the field. forget that there’s a higher source. When she and those who bless you will be blessed and takes challah with a blessing she brings all the families of the land will be blessed by Investing one’s hard efforts into something Hashem’s revelation into her life and acknowl- you.” The word blessing is mentioned four can mislead you and make you think you’ve edges His providence. One’s parents, children, times here to teach us that this world with its accomplished it all yourself. In reality, all and possessions, are meant to bring forth four directions, seasons, and dimensions is you’ve done is taken one existing thing and one’s highest and best. When a woman meant to be a place of blessing. The one turned it into something else through the prepares food for her family she becomes a hundred brachot that we say every day remind capacities Hashem granted you. Emunah is partner with Hashem in drawing down His us that the abundance Hashem gives us connected to simcha. The mitzvah of challah abundant good to her family. The Gemara in brings us to unity. This can only be accom- is meant to evoke within us feelings of Yevamos says, “She brings light to his eyes plished through building a Jewish home. The gratitude and joy to Hashem for all He has and stands him on his feet.” Feelings of anger, Gemara says a man who doesn’t have a wife given us. rejection, and guilt are a consequence of lack dwells without blessing. The husband is meant of awareness. When a woman fulfills her role to provide and the woman is meant to receive If a woman denies Hashem’s existence by not with higher consciousness she brings light, joy, and turn it into blessing. Then the home taking challah, she will suffer the curse of and spirituality into her home. becomes a place of sheleimut (wholeness). confusion. She will work hard and getting We end the first blessing in shemone esrei nothing for her efforts. On the other hand, if It says in Mishlei about the woman of valor, with the words Magen Avraham. Avraham and she keeps the mitzvah, her home will be “She does not eat the bread of laziness.” This Sarah were united as one. Together they blessed as it says, “From the first of your connotes her willingness to take what Hashem brought ultimate bracha to the world. has provided her and develop it further to

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visit us online at: www.naaleh.com | for questions, suggestions, or dedication opportunities, email [email protected] 2