DIVREI TORAH ON PARSHAS BAMIDBAR
In the beginning of the third Perek the Posuk writes: V’eile Toldos Aharon U’Moshe, these are the children of Aharon and Moshe, but then it only lists Aharon’s children. Rashi explains that Aharon’s children were also Moshe’s children because he taught them Torah. The Posuk is teaching us that students are like children. This is one of the many Medrashim that people accept, but don’t fully grasp the Torah’s intention. Students aren’t like children, they are children,and this is why:
All people consist of two parts, the physical and Ruchnius. People are small/tall and they’re kind. They’re handsome/not handsome and they’re generous. The first of each group is their physical aspect, and the second is what they’ve become through learning from others, and the Torah. People can live their lives focusing on their physical, such as by amassing wealth, or their Ruchnius, by becoming better people, and making others better.
Which of these two aspects is more important? People that don’t have an appreciation for spirituality may see the physical part as more important. For such people students aren’t children. However, those who understand that the world is about spiritual growth, serving Hashem, and learning the Torah, see people’s Neshomos as being more important than the physical. When people teach their students, they’re “fathering” their Neshomos, and can truly be considered their fathers.
People can become their children’s true fathers, by teaching them how to live a Torah life. This will create a true legacy of Ruchnius, which will they live on long after they’ve died, as their children’s Neshamos become an extension of their own.
All people consist of two parts, the physical and Ruchnius. People are small/tall and they’re kind. They’re handsome/not handsome and they’re generous. The first of each group is their physical aspect, and the second is what they’ve become through learning from others, and the Torah. People can live their lives focusing on their physical, such as by amassing wealth, or their Ruchnius, by becoming better people, and making others better.
Which of these two aspects is more important? People that don’t have an appreciation for spirituality may see the physical part as more important. For such people students aren’t children. However, those who understand that the world is about spiritual growth, serving Hashem, and learning the Torah, see people’s Neshomos as being more important than the physical. When people teach their students, they’re “fathering” their Neshomos, and can truly be considered their fathers.
People can become their children’s true fathers, by teaching them how to live a Torah life. This will create a true legacy of Ruchnius, which will they live on long after they’ve died, as their children’s Neshamos become an extension of their own.
The author can be contacted at shmuelgluck@areivim.com
This Parsha discusses the Degolim, literally, flags. It refers to the flags flying with each Shevat (tribe). The tribes lived within the greater Jewish community, but were separate from each other. The obvious reason for the way the camp was set up was to create order among the millions of people traveling in the desert. However, there was also a second reason.
Every person has responsibilities that are created by their individual circumstances. People are responsible to protect the earth’s natural resources. They are someone’s children, which creates specific responsibilities towards their parents. They are also someone’s siblings, spouses, parents, etc. Each of these positions creates responsibilities.
In addition to responsibilities created by their positions, people have responsibilities created by their strengths. Someone who has a talent to sing, has a responsibility to make people happy by singing at Davening, weddings, etc. People who are gifted in offering advice, have the responsibility to make themselves available to help as many people as they can. Any talent or skill creates such a responsibility.
Each Shevat had specific talents. Yehuda had leadership qualities, while Yissochor was learned in Torah etc.. Each Shevat had a strength that the other Shevotim didn’t have. The flags “announced” to everyone where those skills could be found, making it easier for people to find them. Everyone has natural skills, even if they are unaware that they have them.
The Gemoroh (Horius 13B) explains how raw olives have a tendency to make people forget, and that people should avoid eating them. Interestingly, olive oil can be used to return lost memories, even from other things that make people forget (e.g. staring at the moon). Olive oil, which are olives which have been “beaten”, demonstrate strength.
When people lack experience in specific areas, they should never assume that they won’t ever be able to gain it, even if it’s presently true. They may need to learn skills, and possibly experience life (such as the olive which requires being beaten), but with experience, everyone can have a talent which may make the world a better place. People should look for their individual mission in life, and work towards achieving excellence in that area.
Every person has responsibilities that are created by their individual circumstances. People are responsible to protect the earth’s natural resources. They are someone’s children, which creates specific responsibilities towards their parents. They are also someone’s siblings, spouses, parents, etc. Each of these positions creates responsibilities.
In addition to responsibilities created by their positions, people have responsibilities created by their strengths. Someone who has a talent to sing, has a responsibility to make people happy by singing at Davening, weddings, etc. People who are gifted in offering advice, have the responsibility to make themselves available to help as many people as they can. Any talent or skill creates such a responsibility.
Each Shevat had specific talents. Yehuda had leadership qualities, while Yissochor was learned in Torah etc.. Each Shevat had a strength that the other Shevotim didn’t have. The flags “announced” to everyone where those skills could be found, making it easier for people to find them. Everyone has natural skills, even if they are unaware that they have them.
The Gemoroh (Horius 13B) explains how raw olives have a tendency to make people forget, and that people should avoid eating them. Interestingly, olive oil can be used to return lost memories, even from other things that make people forget (e.g. staring at the moon). Olive oil, which are olives which have been “beaten”, demonstrate strength.
When people lack experience in specific areas, they should never assume that they won’t ever be able to gain it, even if it’s presently true. They may need to learn skills, and possibly experience life (such as the olive which requires being beaten), but with experience, everyone can have a talent which may make the world a better place. People should look for their individual mission in life, and work towards achieving excellence in that area.
The author can be contacted at shmuelgluck@areivim.com
In this week’s Parsha, the Torah discusses the Levi’im and their “higher” status in Klal Yisroel. What was created was a national hierarchy, based on Klal Yisroel’s lineages, and not necessarily because of their personal character.
Many people resent when they’re on the lower end of a hierarchy, but they still want, and will accept, leadership. Parents, Rabbeim, Rabbonim, and employers all represent hierarchy to children. What can be done to remove the resentment of those on the lower end of the hierarchy?
Most people don’t mind being led by others as long as they understand why the leaders were chosen to lead. A Posuk that describes the Kohanim, first says, Ki Sifsei Kohen Yishmiru Da’as, and then, & only then, V’torah Y’vakshu Mi’pi’hu. If the Kohen protects wisdom (follows the Mitzvohs), then Torah should be asked of him. If the Kohen fully keeps the Torah, then people can ask him for guidance.
I have spoken to several parents who insisted on being treated like a parent by their children. However, they refused to believe that acting like a parent, was a prerequisite. Instead, they wanted their children to respect them without being resentful, even though they acknowledged that sometimes they didn’t act as parents. They saw their parenthood as a time to be “paid back” for their own childhood years.
I often tell parents that, the more you remind children that you are their parents, the more they will want to forget. The less you remind them, the more they will want to remember.Instead, people should ignore their parent status, and focus on doing what they are supposed to do, whether it is in their roles as parent, Rebbi, etc. If they do this, they will find themselves respected, whether its immediately, or only after many years.
Many people resent when they’re on the lower end of a hierarchy, but they still want, and will accept, leadership. Parents, Rabbeim, Rabbonim, and employers all represent hierarchy to children. What can be done to remove the resentment of those on the lower end of the hierarchy?
Most people don’t mind being led by others as long as they understand why the leaders were chosen to lead. A Posuk that describes the Kohanim, first says, Ki Sifsei Kohen Yishmiru Da’as, and then, & only then, V’torah Y’vakshu Mi’pi’hu. If the Kohen protects wisdom (follows the Mitzvohs), then Torah should be asked of him. If the Kohen fully keeps the Torah, then people can ask him for guidance.
I have spoken to several parents who insisted on being treated like a parent by their children. However, they refused to believe that acting like a parent, was a prerequisite. Instead, they wanted their children to respect them without being resentful, even though they acknowledged that sometimes they didn’t act as parents. They saw their parenthood as a time to be “paid back” for their own childhood years.
I often tell parents that, the more you remind children that you are their parents, the more they will want to forget. The less you remind them, the more they will want to remember.Instead, people should ignore their parent status, and focus on doing what they are supposed to do, whether it is in their roles as parent, Rebbi, etc. If they do this, they will find themselves respected, whether its immediately, or only after many years.
The author can be contacted at shmuelgluck@areivim.com
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