Both the brachos and the klalos are addressed in the plural form – the words of the parsha imploring us to internalize the actuality of our united soul, to understand that we actually NEED each other in order thrive, and thus strive to exhibit genuine kindness and compassion towards our fellow Jew – no matter what.
We find ourselves within the stage of “Someich Geulah l’Geulah.” We have gone from the Yom Tov of Purim – the Yom Tov of giving freely to one another, exchanging gifts and distributing funds to the poor and to “kol haposhet yad nosnim lo.” Now, as we are about to announce the arrival of Chodesh Nissan – the month of Pesach, the month of “kol dichfin yeitzei v’yeichal, kol ditzrich yeitzei v’yifsach” – by doing so we are in fact proclaiming our readiness for the Geulah Shelaimah.
The shminis that is to be played l’asid lavo will come into existence when we once again achieve the great level of achdus that we are truly capable of; a level that we so excellently exhibited when we initially accepted the Torah. When that day comes, the 8th note will be heard; The perfect unity of music, symbolized by the perfect unity of mankind.
Efraim and Menashe are the children of Golus, born in impure Mitzrayim, but not only display their commitment to derech avosam, but to supporting one another through thick and thin. It is then and there Yaakov perceives that his progeny would succeed in remaining loyal to his heritage in the exiles to come, and more importantly, he sees that they will remain loyal and devoted to each other, thus guaranteeing their ultimate survival.
Chazal teach us: Yerushalayim was destroyed because of groundless hatred (Yoma 9b). Fortunately, we are also informed of the antidote: Shalom. And though it sometimes seems as if peace only exists in some far-off dream, this week’s parsha – in which fantastic dreams are very much a common theme – we are shown that shalom is in fact a great dream to have. And all of this, ladies and gentlemen, reminded me of a song.
The Jewish people have a legacy of well over three thousand years of continuous love and longing for Eretz Yisroel. This supernatural connection has remained strong, and will remain strong, until Moshiach draws every Yid from even the most forsaken corner of the earth into its borders and we see the rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash – the terrestrial palace of the King of all Kings.
Oh, around the fire, dancing free,
Ashkenazi, Sefardi,
Chossid, Litvak, arm in arm,
Swaying together.
Women, children, taking part,
The youth, the old; yet, young at heart.
It’s thanks to you, Rabbeinu Bar Yochai,
One big family,
On Har Meron.
Jewish a cappella. When people ask me for my opinion on the history of this genre (and if I’m being honest, even when they don’t ask me for my opinion), I tell them where I think modern Jewish a cappella got its start.
Three brothers. Two words: Kol Achai
“Sefira Music” is not meant to be a cheap substitute for music, rather should be music that helps invoke a spirit of change, repentance and improvement in the way we think and behave toward our fellow man. If the song makes you want to sit and sway with your arm over your friend’s shoulder, then it has accomplished its goal.
Chazal compares Tu b’Av to Yom Kippur! Tu b’Av is a day of renewal of ties among the nation, just as Yom Kippur is a day of renewal of our ties to Hakadosh Baruch Hu. The common denominators between Tu b’Av and Yom Kippur are love, acceptance and forgiveness.