Parshas Tzav/Shabbos Hagadol

"....v"eish ha'mizbeiach tookad bo./...and the fire of the Altar should be kept aflame on it. "(Vayikra 6:2)

The question is asked as to why only by this korban (the korban olah) does it say this about the fire being kept aflame. And it says a little later on one of my favorite psukim (Just ask my kids!) "Eish tamid tookad al ha'mizbeiach lo sichbe/A permanent fire shal remain aflame on the Altar; it shal not be extinguished."(Vayikra 6:6)

So the Ramban says that this comes to teach that it is a positive commandment (Mitzvas Aseh) that the Kohanim must place enough wood on the fire to keep it burning at all times, including all the night.

Ok but what about us who dont have the Beis Hamikdash and the korbanos? There has to be something for us to learn... and of course there is. The midrash (Vayikra Rabba 7:3) says that the Korban Olah comes to atone for hirhur halev/foreign thoughts. The Toras Avos (Derachim B'Avodas Ha'Borah 138) brings a mashal to a man who owned a forest and wanted to cut down the trees to build houses. He started cutting them down one by one and very soon saw that it would take him his entire life. So he lit a huge fire and pretty soon all the trees where gone. So too it is with foreign thoughts. You get rid of one and up pops another one. What can you do? Light a huge fire, the fire of Hashem. That was the fire of the mizbeiach then and it is the fire of the Torah and our Avodas Hashem that rids our hearts and our minds of foreign thoughts. The reason this inyan of "tookad bo" is brought down specificaly by the "Olah" is because thoughts are the hardest things to get rid of. Any other sins have reasons why not to do them. Maybe people will see, maybe I'll lose money etc... But you could go on acting like the biggest tzadik, davening and learning and at the same time have these thoughts in your heart and mind. Thats why you need to make sure theres lots of wood for that fire. Learn and daven. Daven and learn. Every letter is another log of wood. Even if you don't feel your heart in it, it still works! So learn and daven, daven and learn!!! And even if you can't, at least try working on the desire to. For kisufim/desire/longing also goes a long way.

This also ties into why we have to look for chametz with a flame in all of the cracks and holes. We have to get rid of all of those foreign thoughts. And it's also why the only way to get rid of the chametz is by burning. So let us all start piling up the wood so we could really get the fire going. (Based on The Nesivos Shalom)

This Shabbos is Shabbos Hagadol. The Maharal explains that the Shabbos before Yom Hakippurim is called Shabbos Shuva because the goal and purpose of Yom Hakippurim is teshuva. If so, the Maharal explains this Shabbos is called Shabbos Hagadol because the goal and purpose of Pesach is greatness…gadlus! I would venture to say that the greatness of a person is defined by his ability to overcome the temptation of his base desires, and to choose to do what is right and what he really wants. Freedom defines the greatness of man. (Heard from the "Mash"giach" of Neveh Tzion Rav Blumenfeld)

So that seems to be another definition of what a true hero is (See last post). The problem is that Pharaoh's power is the power of dimyon/illusion/imagination. If we would only be able to realize our true selves, our true potential, and our true power we would be able to really live the Seder this year and really merit to leave both our personal and our collective Mitrayim's.

Heres another very improtant point which should be spread and repeated every year before Pesach. (This is taken from www.breslov.com) If you have time be sure to check out a video on the subject @Lazer Beams .

Rabbi Nachman’s view of overly-stringent practices performed during Passover

Rabbi Nachman cautions people not to be overly-stringent in any religious practice (2 Lekutai Moharan 44). Rabbi Nachman quotes the Talmudic maxim: “G-d does not rule over His creatures with tyranny” (Avoda Zara 3a), and “The Torah wasn't given to ministering angels" (Brachot
35b). "It would be enough if we were worthy of keeping all of the Torah's commandments according to the law, without going beyond it."

Rabbi Nachman was against taking on too many special stringencies on Passover. Many people go so far in observing many fine points of custom that they are literally depressed by the holiday. Rabbi Nachman said that keeping ultra-strict practices are nothing but foolishness. He told us that he had also been caught up in this, and would waste such time thinking up all sorts of unnecessary restrictions.

Once he worried about the drinking water used during Passover. He was afraid that a small amount of leaven night have fallen into the well from which they drew water. The only alternative would be to prepare water in advance for the entire Passover week, as some people do. But this was not good enough, for water had to be carefully safeguarded from leaven from the day before Passover, and this was very difficult.

He finally came to the, conclusion that the only satisfactory water would be that, drawn from a flowing spring, just as it emerges from the ground. The problem was that the only such spring in the area was very far from his home. He thought of traveling to a place near a spring and spending Passover there.

This is an example of how deeply a person can become immersed in unnecessary stringencies. He cam to ridicule such practices, teaching that such ultra-strictness is unnecessary, even on Passover.

Rabbi Nachman emphasized, “True devotion to G-d consists mainly of doing things with simplicity and sincerity. Pray much, study much Torah, do many good deeds. Do not worry yourself with unnecessary restrictions. Just follow the way of our forefathers.” The Torah was not given to the ministering angels. There is nothing that you absolutely must do. If you're not able to do something, “G-d exempts a person under duress” (Baba Kama 28b). “There is no such thing of ever doing anything perfectly” (Sichos HaRan 235).

Once Rabbi Nachman and his student Rav Nosson were once invited to the sukkah of a simple Jew. When Rav Nosson questioned the validity of the sukkah, Rabbi Nachman remarked, “A Jew works very hard to build his sukkah and you seek to invalidate it based on stringencies found in the code of Jewish Law?”' (Avencha Barzel 25:17).

A great Shabbos to everyone! Get ready for the Geulah!!!

peace & joy.......

Etan

The real Heroes!!!

We all love the show Heroes! As Reb Nachman teaches us, we have to see Hashem in everything. My cousin Ari Teman and my brother are a few of the real life heroes! Yashar Koach to them and may they go from strength to strength! Here's a pic of my bro (Who's coming to visit us tomorrow! Yay!) feeding the hungry....See more about it and how you too can help @http://jcorps.org/

Peace & joy,
Etan
P.S. Wow! 2 posts in one day! What's next????

Many blessings upon all of our heads!!!

We could all use as many blessings as we can get!!! And no better time than Nissan! So here are two seasonal brochas for everyone!

This year was the first year that I had the merit of saying the following brocha. What more needs to be said other than "....who let nothing lack in His universe ..."! Enjoy!
The following I found on Lazer Beams:
Birkat HaIlanot: Blessing of the Trees
Once a year, during the Hebrew month of Nissan, we have the special mitzva of making a blessing over (at least two) blossoming fruit trees. According to Kabbala, this blessing is deeply significant, and helps correct the soul that is reincarnated within the tree. That soul is forever beholding to the person that makes the blessing, for he or she has done a great favor in helping that soul attain its tikkun, or correction.

For your convenience, here is the blessing,

In English: Blessed are You, Hashem our God, King of the Universe, who let nothing lack in His universe and created within it good creatures and good trees in order to give pleasure to human beings.

In Transliteration: Baruch ata Adonoi, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, she-lo chisar be-olamo klum v-vara vo beriyyot tovot ve-ilanot tovim lehanot bahem bnai Adam.

In Hebrew: ברוך אתה ה' אלהינו מלך העולם שלא חסר בעולמו כלום וברא בו בריות טובות ואילנות טובים להנות בהם בני אדם

The next one is a blessing that we say every day here in Israel. But out there in Chutz La'aretz it is only said on the Shalosh Regalim. Yes you guessed right its Bircas Kohanim. Here is a nice explanation that I found once which is good to have in mind both if you're the one giving the blessing or even if your the one receiving it. May we merit to see the final redemption now!! And receive all of the true blessings from our father Hashem!!!



יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה/Yivarechicha Hashem - Bless you with $$$$ - Bless you with sons – Bless you with “Osher” (contentment) – Bless you with property.

וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ/Vyishmerecha - Protect you from thieves – Protect you with daughters – That you should do mitzvos with your $$$$ - Protect you body – Protect you from the Yetzer Hara – Protect you from people ruling over you – Protect you from “mazikim” that surround you – Protect your “Bris Kodesh” – Protect you at the time of death – Protect your feet from “gehenom”.

יָאֵר יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ/Yaer Hashem Panav eilecha - May He give you “Maor Aynaim” (enlightened eyes) – May He look upon you with “Meiras Panim” – May He enlighten your heart and eyes with Torah – May He bless you with “bnei Torah” – May your offspring be of the Kohanim that light the “mizbayach”

וִיחֻנֶּךָּ/Vyeechooneka - You should be graced with knowledge and insight – You should be graced with knowledge with which you could be graceful with one and another – You should be graced with sons – You should be graced with all of your “mishalotecha” (desires/requests) – Hashem should dwell next to you – May prophets come from you – Hashems grace should be upon you wherever you are – You should be graced with “Talmud Torah” – Hashem should grace you with free gifts – Hashem should free you from “shibud malchius” – Hashem should redeem you.

יִשָּׂא יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ/Yisah Hashem Panav eilecha - May He remove His anger from you – May He face you in your prayers – May He face you in this world – May He face you in things “ Bein Adam LaMakom” – May He turn His face towards you to inquire about your welfare.

וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם/Vayasem lecha Shalom - Shalom when you come in – Shalom when you leave – Shalom with everybody – Shalom of Malchus Beit David.

And who will bless the Kohanim? Talmud Lomar “And I (Hashem) will bless them

As usual peace & joy!
Etan

Let's get ready for Pesach!!

Allthough Reb Nachman himself said "Gor mein zach iz Rosh Hashanah/My main thing is Rosh Hashana, the connection between Pesach and Nachman - both with a numerical value of 148 has not and could not go unnoticed.

The morning after the Seder. The long prayer service had just ended. Everyone was still dizzy from the wine, exhausted from the long night. But it was great. Another Seder! Another Pesach! Everyone was elated. Everyone except one. "I'm glad its over with" he grumbled. "I just cant take all that wine, and the matzah gives me constipation. And what's the need to say all that Haggadah? Can't the rabbis take us into consideration? Oh well, it'll be over in a week. Before you know it, we'll be back to routine." Stunned by the outburst, the others looked on in consternation. No one wanted to embarrass him, but no one knew how to approach him. Looking at him in silence, they all sighed. What a pity. For him it was just another Seder....just another Pesach...

Two people can externally experience the same event. The one who is spiritually impoverished will perceive affliction and suffering. Internally he will taste the dryness of a Godless experience. The one who is aware of the Source of all events will perceive Benevolent Providence. He will gain insight into God's Infinite Unity. He will see how it is expressed through the multitude of human events and worldly phenomena. (The Breslov Haggadah)

With the hope that we merit being part of those who are aware, I will B'ezras Hashem try over the next week to put together some nice things for the Seder and for Pesach in general. It's also highly recommended for everyone to try and either open up the Haggadah that they'll be using or ever browse online and do a bit of prep work. Even though were all very busy you'll see that if you prepare even just a bit it will make a huge difference and turn your Seder into a much more meaningful experience. So hop on board and enjoy the ride...........

Another new beginning!!! Parshas Vayikra. It's all about coming closer to Hashem!!!

"Vayikra el Moshe..../He (Hashem) called to Moshe.....(Vayikra 1:1)"

In our pasuk, Hashem called to Moshe. The Sifra tells us that He called in a loving way. Rashi tells us that the call was in a loud and thunderous voice, powerful enough, to shatter trees and to be heard throughout the world. Despite this, only Moshe was able to hear Hashem's voice. Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt"l, asks if it was not meant for the rest of the people to hear Hashem's voice, why was it necessary for Him to speak so loudly? and answers that even though Hashem's voice was loud enough for everyone to hear, the people were not worthy of hearing it. It was to teach every Jew in every generation to consider it as if he or she had been given each commandment by Hashem directly. From Rav Moshe's words, we can understand that our pasuk implies that Hashem always calls out to each person, even though he might not be consciously aware of it. The gemara in Brachos teaches us this as well. Thus Rabbi Nachman taught that every day, Hashem calls out to each person, sending all sorts of messages cloaked in the hints of each day's experiences - messages that come to a person in the form of his perceptions and the thoughts that pass through his mind, through the actions and deeds he is compelled to perform, the things that he is compelled to say and the things that are said to him. These hints provide a person with the necessary information he needs to be brought closer to Hashem. Therefore, Rabbi Nachman recommends that we must pay close attention to the "little occurrences" in our daily lives in order that we can determine the personal message Hashem is trying to convey. However, Rabbi Nachman warns that one should be moderate in this practice, for excessive analysis is not healthy and can damage a person spirituality, causing him to fall into the realm of evil. (Lekutei MoHaran 54:2)

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch says on our pasuk that it is most regrettable that we have no word which really reproduces the idea which lies behind the expression korban. The unfortunate use of the term "sacrifice" implies the idea of giving something up that is of value to oneself for the benefit of another, or of having to do without something of value. The other definition "offering" also is by no means an adequate expression for korban. The idea of an offering presupposes a desire on the part of the one to whom it is brought which is satisfied by the "offering" which is like a gift. But the idea of korban is never used for a gift. It is used exclusively with reference to man's relation to Hashem, and its meaning can only be understood from its root "karov" which means to approach, to come near, and to come into close relationship with somebody. The object and purpose of "hakravah" is the attainment of a higher sphere of life. The one bringing the korban desires that something of himself should come into closer relationship to the Almighty, Hashem, and the procedure by which this greater nearness to Hashem is to be achieved is called hakravah. This is really the answer to everything! Closeness to Hashem is the highest, and really the only conception of what is "good" ( "But as for me, Hashem's nearness is my good...." Tehilim 73:28) True happiness in life is dependent on to closeness to Hashem bottom line! Nothing else! In the halls of Hashem the problems of life solve themselves. Happiness in life rises and falls in accordance with the proximity or distance of Hashem to oneself. All prosperity loses its attraction if it entails estrangement from Hashem. Even suffering itself becomes exalted happiness in the nearness of Hashem to those who have refined their minds in the halls of the Sanctuary in order to get an understanding of true happiness. (Rabbi Hirsch's Commentary as quoted by Growth Through Torah)

Of the 613 mitzvot that appear in the Torah, 246 of them appear in sefer Vayikra. Many of these mitzvot deal with the korbanos that were brought in the Beis Ha'Mikdash. So what does that have to do with us? The Torah is supposed to help us in our daily lives? A few answers can be given to this question. 1)If we would desire the rebuilding of the Beis Ha'Mikdash, it would come quicker. By learning the intricate details of something it helps you not only understand that thing but also you appreciate that thing so much more. We also know that our teffilos are in place of the korbanos, so maybe if we try and better understand the korbanos we can better understand and therefore significantly improve our tefillos. And also withing all of these "details" we can find many beautiful lessons that we could apply to our lives.

May we merit to tune into Hashem's constant calling to us and through that come closer to Him from wherever we may be and then bring the Mashiach out of hiding so that he may help us in the building of the third and final Beis Hamikdash! Speedily! In our days! Amen!

Have a great Shabbos!!!

Peace & joy,

Etan

Be an animal!!!

All throughout life while growing up we were always told not to be animals. I just came across something yesterday in Sichos Haran (15) that says the opposite! Well kind of. In our parsha it says (Shemos 36:1) ".....asher nasan Hashem chachma u'sevuna baheima..../....within whom Hashem has endowed wisdom and insight....." The beauty of Lashon Ha'kodesh is that words can have more than one meaning and yet mean all of the different connotations at once. Baheima/within also means animal. Reb Nachman says (It's also brought down in Lekutei Mohoran B:19 & 44) It is (and takes) a great wisdom and great service to be like an animal. This is what our holy rabbis mean when they say in the gemara (Chullin 5:) on the pasuk in Tehilim (36:7) "...adam u'baheima toshia Hashem/...You save both man and beast, Hashem." But once again we can also translate it as "You save a man who makes himself like a beast." The lesson that Reb Nachman is teaching us isn't to run around like wild animals, "vilda chaya's." That's probably what they were telling not to do as kids! Reb Nachman is teaching here one of his main messages. It is great to be simple and pure. Many people mistakenly think that to be simple means to be stupid, and what we learn here is that it actually takes great wisdom to be simple, to be like an animal. As wise and advanced as we think we are, the world is as mixed up as ever! And we still don't have a cure for the common cold! If we would work on being just a bit simpler, than the world would be a much better place. Relationships would be better, everything would be better.

Gevalt!!! Be strong, be strong and may we be strengthened!

This week we read the double parsha of Vayakhel/Pekudei, it's also Shabbos mevorchim in which we bless and start to bring in the holy month of Nissan. Pesach is coming and like our holy rabbi's said "Just like we were redeemed in Nissan so too in the future we will be redeemed in Nissan." So be ready everyone, pack your bags .....

After much discussion in Terumah, Tetzaveh, and part of Ki Sisa about the building of the Mishkan , all of it's parts, and how they go together, we finally get to the end of Sefer Shmos, which like many "ends" in the Torah is really only the begining. We finally get to build the Mishkan. The holy Or Ha'Chaim says that the Torah's frequent repetition of the parts of the Mishkan and mention of the nation's role in its construction indicates Hashem's love of Israel and His regard for it's activities and efforts, and even desires to serve Him.

Ok, so how do we do it? We know the Torah isnt a history book, but rather an instruction book for each and every generation for eternity. Well it starts with getting it together like we spoke about last week. "Vayakhel Moshe es kol adas Bnei Yisroel va'yomer aleihem eleh ha'devarim aher tzivah Hashem la'asos osam/Moshe assembled the entire assembly of the Children of Israel and said to them: These are the things that Hashem commanded, to do them." It doesnt say the wise, the elders, the men, the woman, the young. It says the entire assembly. All of the Jews. Until we could get it together we can't build the Mishkan bottom line.

"These are the things...." This refers to the categories of labor that were needed to build the Mishkan, and our holy sages derive homiletically from this term that there were 39 such categories. From the juxtaposition of the work of the Mishkan to the next 2 pesukim that deal with Shabbos, the gemara (Shabbos 97:) derive that these 39 categories of work are the ones that are forbidden on Shabbos. So the whole basis of the Mishkan is Shabbos and we know that Shabbos is Emunah. We can see the connection in a few other ways as well. Reb Nachman z"ya says that the word Mishkan comes from the word moshaych/to draw, this indicates that the Mishkan had the spiritual power to draw Hashem into the bounds of its structure, wherever the Mishkan happened to be. (Likutei Moharan 1:70) The holy Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev z"ya taught that the root of the word Shabbos is the Hebrew word shuv/return. This indicates that the observance of Shabbos has the ability to bring a man back to his source, which is Hashem. (Kedushath Levi: Beraishith p.5) Therefore, the Mishkan and Shabbos both have the ability to connect man to Hashem. The Nesivos Shalom gives a beautiful parable for what Shabbos is to us. It's like being out in the rain and cold all week, trecking through the mud from one strange place to another just trying to make ends meet. Then as the week comes to an end you see a light on the horizon. You keep going, just trying to make it to the light. You finally make it to the light and you find a nice quaint inn. You go in and are welcomed with open arms, given dry clothing a warm bed, good company, good food and most of all no worries about the storm outside. That is Shabbos. The memory of the warmth and the inspiration from each passing Shabbos keeps us going till the next Shabbos. This is why we say in the Shir shel Yom everyday "Hayom yom _____ b'Shabbos" Because it is only with the power of Shabbos that we can make it through the week. There is yet another connection. Just as great effort was put into the construction of the Mishkan, in order that it would become a place where man could become connected to Hashem, so too man must work six davs each week in preparation for each Shabbos, which is the day that connects him to Hashem. Both the preparation that went into the Mishkan's construction and the work performed weekly in preparation for Shabbos involves the thirty-nine forms of malacha. Shabbos is Emunah. By not doing the 39 melachos on Shabbos we are zoche to do the 39 melachos during the week and succeed. But only if we have true Emunah and see everything through the eyes of Emunah. Anyone that hasn't yet read The Garden of Emunah, must, must, must. Nuff said.

And finally "Hookam ha'Mishkan/and the Mishkan was erected." Hookam can be literaly translated as "raised." Hashem did it in the end. After all those details, all of those instructions, it's Hashem who puts up the Mishkan. So too after all of our toil, all of our efforts all that we do from big to miniscule is really Hashem doing. That is true Emunah. When we accept that and try to live our live like that then "Hookam ha'Mishkan" and then "The cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of Hashem filled the Mishkan......When the cloud was raised up...., the children of Israel would embark on all their journeys. If the cloud would not rise up, they would not emabark, until the day it rose up." Once again we see the diffierence between us and them. For us its not a matter of getting there, doing it, and thats it. Even after the Mishkan was built every move was still based upon what Hashem did, what Hashem wanted. Let us start to see it like that and maybe then we will merit to seeing the building of the final Beis Ha'Mikdash! Speedily in our days!!! Amen!!!
Have a wonderful Shabbos,
Peace & joy,
Etan

Snow In Beit Shemesh?!?!?

It's actually ice! In the midst of our summer weather it just started hailing for about 5 minutes until there was about 4 inches of ice!!! Funny thing is how everyone is running around excited about the snow!!! As we've been saying the end of days is near, because just under an hour later the sun was blazing and it was over 60 degrees. Till then.............

You can always make it up!!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful, fun, meaningful, Purim. May we merit to take all of the holiness and lessons of the day into ourselves and only continue to go higher and higher.

A few weeks ago was Parshas Shekalim and due to my having to be out there making the shekalim I missed the post and was a little upset. When we got to this weeks parsha , Ki Tissah and I started reading about the shekalim that Hashem told Moshe rabeinu to collect from all of the Jews, I remembered that age old lesson that its never too late and whatever it is that you may have missed Hashem in His loving grace always gives us a chance to make it up.

So the lesson of Shekalim is that even though we are "the smallest nation" we are also the greatest and a"light unto all nations". How is that? Well its because our strength isn't in numbers but rather in our togetherness. They had to be half shekalim not whole ones. Whether you are poor or rich, here or there it doesn't matter because together we have nothing to fear but Hashem. The problem is, that other guy, the yetzer harah also knows this. It is he who splits us up in 1001 different ways because he knows that if we would get it together despite our differences we would be unstoppable. So it's simple. We all are suffering in this galus!!! And we are always looking for the way out and it's right in front of our faces! The time has come to put our differences aside and come together so that we could once again give the half shekel which will go towards the building of Hashem's new house. We see this also in the ketores/incense. The gemara (Krisus 6) says “Any prayer that doesn't include the sinners of Israel isn't called a prayer” This is learned out from the fact that one of the ingredients of the ketores was "chelbana/galbanum" which was bitter both in its taste and smell. But yet it was included in the ketores, and when put together with the rest of the spices it was the best smell in the world! So sinner, saint, sephardi, ashekenazi, american israeli, and even french as long as we're Jews we have to get it together!

The golden calf, the eigel ha'zahav. There is so much to say but one thing I saw just blew me away. Reb Nachman z'ya in Sichos Haran (123), talks about those people who are religious for a while and then fall away. He said that even the short time that they are religious is very dear to Hashem, no matter what happens later. The pasuk says, 'You have attracted My heart with one of your eyes' (Song of Songs 4:9). This pasuk is referring to Hashem speaking to the Jewish People, recalling the time when they accepted the Torah. The Midrash asks why the verse says 'with one of your eyes'. It answers that the other eye was already looking at the Golden Calf at the giving of the Torah. Therefore, Rabbi Nachman explains that even when the Jews accepted the Torah, they already had plans to stray. Still, the short time that they were close to G-d was still very dear to Him. Therefore, Hashem says in the pasuk, 'you have attracted Me (even] with one of your eyes'. So we see it again. Every little bit, every good deed, every good thought counts. Ein yeisush!!! Short sweet and to the point!

In honor of the Noam Elimelech's yertzeit....

21 Adar

Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk, author of Noam Elimelech, (1717-1787). Learned under Maggid Mezritch. Among his students: Reb Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apta, Chozeh Of Lublin, Maggid of Koznitz, Reb Menachem Mendel of Rimanov. Below is photo of the grave tomb of the Noam Elimelech in Lizhensk, Poland

Tetzaveh/Zachor/Purim.....

Parshas Tetzaveh, Parshas Zachor, and of course Purim. Lets see if we can put them all together.
"V'ata Tetzaveh es Bnei Yisroel v'yikchu eilecha shemen zayit zach kasis la'maor l'halos ner tamid/Now you shall command the Children of Israel that they shall take for you pure, pressed olive oil for illumination, to kindle the lamp continually.(Shemos 28:20)
Reb Nosson z"tl (Hilchos Bitzias Hapas 5:24) says that "eilecha/to you" is to teach that the oil should be brought specifically to Moshe Rabeinu who is the epitome of the true Tzadik Emmes. Moshe Rabeinu has the power to awaken and enlighten the roots of all of the Jews neshomas which are in essence rooted in the Torah. By enlightening all of the Jews the seven lamps of the Menorah are then lit which in essence include all of the souls of Israel which are divided into seven groups. On the peoples side it says "v'yikchu/they shall take", each and every Jew has to bring to the Tzadik "shemen zayis zach/pure pressed olive oil." This corresponds to the "nikudos tovos/good points" that each and every Jew has. No matter where we are or what we my have done we still have within us that "good point" and by bringing that to the Tzadik he will awaken us and help us illuminate our part of the Menorah. Why olive oil specifically? The Midrash (Shmos Rabbah 36:1) says Why is Yisroel compared to the olive? It sits in the tree and is then rudely shaken till it falls, its then beaten, then put in the olive press, then scraped with ropes, then put under heavy rocks, until finally the oil comes out. So too with the Jewish people we have to go through many hardships and pains but in the end the best oil wil come out. In Hilchos Birchas Ha'peiros Reb Nosson z"tl discusses why allot of the shiurim (measurements) in the Torah are based on a "cazayis/the size of an olive" On one hand its said that olives bring to forgetfulness and on the other hand we know that olive oil is good for the memory. What's the difference? Its what we said before, the crushing, the process. If we think that we can just remember without doing any work then we're wrong. The Torah only remains with those who kill themselves for it. Does it mean we have to live with only bread and water? Give up all of the good things in life? No, chas v'shalom! But it means that we have to be willing to if it came to that. The problem is that we're not sure. We're not sure about ourselves. We're not sure about others. We're not sure about anything. Thats Amalek!!! Amalek=Safek. When we erase the memory of Amalek tomorrow we have to put in a little prayer that Hashem help us erase all of the uncertainty in ourselves, in others and in the world at large. Purim!!! It's all about Simcha!!! What's going on that Yom Kippur the holiest day of the year is considered like Purim? Well lets look at the word "Nes". It can also mean melt (as in nescafe) and that is the simple but yet deeply profound message of Purim. By being b'simcha, we melt away all of the barriers of nature, of ourselves, and of anything that might be in the way of us seeing Hashem behind everything. Seeing Hashem in everything is true Emunah and true Emunah is why we were put into this world. No miracles in the Megilla, no splitting sea, no makkos. But really everything is a miracle, every breath, every second. And how does this weeks parsha tie into it? Well it says about the Menorah that it should be lit "M'erev ad boker/from the evening until the morning." And at the end of the parsha we have the Korban Tamid. Darkness, light, good times, bad times, no matter what we have to be tamid/consistent. We have to always see that Hashem is in control and that it's all good. V'nahafochu!!!! Everything will be turned upside down. Let's all take some time out this Purim and try to see Hashems hand, try to appreciate all those little things and then ask Hashem to redeem us not for our sake but for His sake and for the sake of all of Israel! A gut Shabbos, A freilichen Purim, and most importantly A gans yor freilich!!! The whole year should be happy!!! Happiness melts everything else away!!!