Miller's Musings Parshas Shelach Lecho: Faith, Faith, Faith

This week's Miller's Musings is sponsored:

לעילוי נשמת לאה בת אברהם 

and as a רפואה שלמה for

יהודה זאב בן ברכה אלכסנדרה גילה    

                                                                            דבס''

Miller’s Musings

פרשת שלך לך

Faith, Faith, Faith

The cries of the Jewish people, at the cusp of entering the land of Israel, have now echoed for millennia.  That fatal mistake of believing the report of the spies has reverberated for generations.  As Hashem forewarned, since they cried without reason at that time, the ninth of Ov would be forever a day with a reason to cry. The immediate ramifications of their reaction to the spies’ account was both severe and tragic, forbidding them from entering the Promised Land.  The challenge here lies in understanding why the penance for their error was so harsh.  For as Rashi says, Hashem caused many natives to be buried on one day, creating a situation in which there would be a risk of stumbling.  Was it their fault that they therefore concluded that it was a land that consumed its people?

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

The journey from Egypt to Canaan was a voyage of self-discovery and growth for the Jewish people. They began as a humble slave nation, unworthy recipients of miracles, emancipated despite their lowly status.  But through their striving upwards they were able to raise themselves to increasingly great heights of faith.  For faith in Hashem, explains the Darchei Mussar, consists of escalating levels. The simplest is knowing with certainty that there is a Creator.  The next stage is a conviction in Hashem’s complete mastery over everything that occurs, and crucially, that despite our own efforts, it is only Hashem that ultimately decides our fate.  But the highest level and the one that the people critically lacked, was a belief in Hashem under all circumstances.  It is a trust in what we know of Hashem and His word no matter how much events may seem to contradict them.  This was the level that was required to be worthy of entering the Holy Land.  By letting what they heard create doubt in their minds about Hashem’s promise to give them the land, they showed that they were not at the stage that they needed to be and did not merit to enter the hallowed ground.

                                                                                                                                                                                                   

We have spoken previously about the need to believe in Hashem, no matter how difficult it is to understand His goodness at that time.  However if we focus for a moment on the second level, it can be just as challenging. For when there is a tragedy or painful ordeal, the difficulty is in not losing one’s faithfulness to Him when His kindness is concealed.  Yet when there is nothing we can do to help, when all that is left is trust in Hashem, it can to some degree be easy, and perhaps comforting, to place our faith in Him.  But when there are practical ways to try and resolve our problems and we are doing them, it is then incredibly hard to remind ourselves that success is ultimately due only to Him. To look at what we are trying to achieve, or indeed have achieved, and acknowledge that it is all Him, that is the faith we must aspire to.  Knowing with certainty who really runs the world and determines what happens, no matter the effort we expend and our struggles to prevail.  That is true belief.

                                                                                                                            

* May we see Hashem's hand in everything this Shabbos*

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Please feel free to print out the pdf and distribute in your shul 

Miller's Musings Parshas Beha'aloscho-I Am What I AM

This week's Miller's Musings is sponsored by the Harris family in honour of Gary's birthday 

and as a רפואה שלמה for

יהודה זאב בן ברכה אלכסנדרה גילה    

                                                                            דבס'' 

MILLER’S MUSINGS

בהעלתךפרשת 

*I Am What I Am*

Although not first choice for the role, this status being originally in mind for the firstborns, the Levi’im went on to play a central role in the service of the Mishkon.  Our Parsha relates the consecration of the Levi’im and is noted by Rashi to repeat the words “Children of Israel” five times, when a pronoun could have been used, such as ‘them’, instead.  Rashi explains that the repetition was to make abundantly clear how dear the Jewish people are to Hashem.  But we are still left to ponder why specifically this Parsha is chosen to convey this message? 

The notion of absolute equality in all areas of our service to Hashem, is not one that the Jewish religion necessarily aspires to.  Equal respect?  Absolutely.  Equal worth?  Certainly.  But to say that every Jew must have the same role as each other and must have the right to fulfil any function they desire, goes against what we see as the structured system set out by the Torah.  We each have a different place in the order of things, some more visible and high profile than others, but that is not to say any of them are of higher value or more worth.  Every person is entirely essential and identical in the importance their part plays in fulfilling Hashem’s purpose in creation. That being said, it could be easy for someone to lose sight of this fact and see the Levi’im ministering in the holiest place on earth and perhaps become despondent or lose a certain amount of self-respect, believing their own position to be of lesser significance. In order to combat this, says the Chidushei HaRim, the Torah reminds us during the sanctification of the Levi’im just how precious we all are to Hashem.  We are all equal in the eyes of Hashem and every one of us as equally cherished. 

We seem to have come to a point where all that we are is questioned and even the most basic facts about our identities are malleable.  It appears that an acceptance and sense of pride in who we really are has become lost.  Hashem has created us a certain way, with a certain composition of characteristics, both internal and external, and this is how He clearly wants us to be.  An acknowledgement of this is the only way that we can hope to achieve what Hashem has in mind for us. It is the only means by which we can refine the attributes that we have been given.  If we don’t know who we are, how can we hope to perfect that person.  We must have pride in ourselves, our strengths and our flaws. We must look at our situation in life as a badge of honour bestowed upon us by our Creator.  As a gift that only we can receive and only we can utilise as intended.   We do not need to be like anyone else, nor is that the way Hashem wants it.  He wants us to be us, but the best version that we can be.  This is our purpose. This is the meaning for which we strive.  We can never be someone else and we should never want to be.  Hashem doesn’t and neither should we.      

 *May we appreciate the value and dignity in ourselves this Shabbos* 

לעילוי נשמת לאה בת אברהם 

Please feel free to print out tand distribute in your shul 

If you would like to sponsor a week of Miller’s Musings l’ilui nishmas someone, for a Refuah Sheleima or to celebrate a Simcha please send a message to millersmusingsrabbi@gmail.com or to 07531332970

Miller's Musings Parshas Naso-A Little Respect

This week's Miller's Musings is sponsored by the Moore family in honour of Eli's Bar Mitzvah: 

and as a רפואה שלמה for

יהודה זאב בן ברכה אלכסנדרה גילה    

                                                                            דבס'' 

MILLER’S MUSINGS

נשאפרשת 

A Little Respect

As the leaders of their respective tribes, the Princes collectively decided that they wished to donate gifts and offerings of their own towards the Mishkon.  And so they came forward, every day one of the Princes bringing their own contribution.  Curiously, though each one brought identical donations, the Torah still lists each and every Prince’s offering.  Considering the Torah’s axiom that every single word and letter contained within it are absolutely essential, not one being superfluous, we must ask why there was a need to repeat each one?  It would surely have sufficed to say after the initial gift “and so too did each of them bring forward likewise”. Why the duplication?

Whereas it is certainly true that this Parsha could have been written in a far more concise manner, just because something can be done, it does not mean that itshould be done.  Although brevity is indeed paramount in the Torah, in this case Hashem’s priority was the respect given to the Princes.  For if only the first donation, by Nachshon, would actually be stated, and the others inexplicitly referred to, this would be to some degree belittling their contribution.  This, says the Ramban, is why the Torah deemed it worthwhile to replicate the presents brought by each and every Prince, despite the seemingly unnecessary duplication.  This is the pedestal on which respect for another is placed by the Torah and an incredible affirmation of its tremendous value.  Even that which would only somewhat detract from the esteem due, must be avoided at all cost.  Such is the value of respect in Hashem’s eyes.

We have spoken previously of the central role that performing kindnesses, big and small, plays in a Torah life.  This may be through charity, giving of one’s time or being there for another person when they need you.  But from our Parsha and the lengths it goes to in order to convey this message, we see that one of the most vital ways one is required to benefit another is by taking into account their honour.  To show that no matter who they are, how they look or what their life situation is, they are valued as someone put here to achieve what only they uniquely can achieve.  Respect can be shown in a multitude of ways, each bestowing self-worth on another.  Showing that you care by really listening to what they say.  Expressing gratitude for what they do.  Complimenting them whenever an opportunity arises.  Disagreeing by all means, vehemently if necessary, but respecting the person nonetheless.  Giving them your time, making it clear that they deserve it.  These are simple ways of conveying their importance, irrespective of who they are. They have been created by Hashem and are therefore precious to Him, so must be treated as such by us.  Everyone needs to feel wanted, appreciated and cherished.  Treat every person you meet with dignity.  You are giving them something more valuable than anything else you could give.   

 *May we honour Shabbos this week and all those we meet in it* 

לעילוי נשמת לאה בת אברהם 

Please feel free to print out and distribute in your shul 

If you would like to sponsor a week of Miller’s Musings l’ilui nishmas someone, for a Refuah Sheleima or to celebrate a Simcha please send a message to millersmusingsrabbi@gmail.com or to 07531332970

Miller's Musings Parshas Bamidbar: Giving for the Gift

This week's Miller's Musings is sponsored: 

לעילוי נשמת שושנה רוזה בת נפתלי משה 

and as a רפואה שלמה for

יהודה זאב בן ברכה אלכסנדרה גילה    

                                                                            דבס'' 

MILLER’S MUSINGS

במדברפרשת 

*Giving for the Gift*

When we picture a desert we tend to think of endless sand, rugged terrain and unforgiving conditions.  It is a place that provides multiple opportunities for death and very little for life.  Yet the Medrash informs us that the Torah, the ultimate life-giving source, was given to us in water, fire and most perplexingly in the desert.   What is it about the desert that made it suitable for this role? In answering this we will also be explaining why this Parsha, that describes the Jews’ desert life, always precedes Shavuos?

The life-giving properties of fire and water, the power they contain and their tremendous potential for good, make them suitable choices for an association with the Torah. The Kerem Hatzvi explains a little differently, that water runs downwards to the lowest point, signifying humility.  Fire, ever reaching upwards, symbolises strength and passion.  This, he continues, is the dual path of Torah scholars. If it is a question of their own honour, they must act with modesty and restraint.  But when it is an attack on the respect due to the Torah, they must act with alacrity and passion to quash any assault.  Perhaps in a similar way, we can explain that the desert too is symbolic of what is required of a true Torah personality. Just as the desert is ownerless and offers all that it has to whoever comes in it, so too a person striving for authentic Torah knowledge and the true transformation it can affect, must be a person ready to give what they have and of themselves, to whomever may need it.  To be worthy and able to receive the Torah, we must first refine our character to be selfless, generous and kind-hearted.  We must be like a desert, ready and available to give with nothing in return. 

The learning of Torah is that which brings us closest to Hashem, the whole purpose of our existence.  Yet there is a prerequisite to Torah and that is correcting our negative character traits and strengthening the positive ones.   This is why the Torah never gives any specific Mitzvos about perfecting our personality, because it comes even before the Torah!  Without it we cannot even begin.   We all have incredible capacity for good. To help others and make their world a little better.   There are people that do tremendous things putting others before themselves and sacrificing so much.  But it doesn't have to be huge deeds.  We just have to take the time to find those moments when we can do small acts that can make a difference either in ourselves or to those around us.  Now, mere days before the day of receiving the Torah, it may be worthwhile to take time to do something that perhaps we would not normally have done.  This extra kindness could be done as a merit for someone who needs a Refuah, done for their sake when it would otherwise not have been performed. One good deed to prepare us for the great day so that we are able to truly and fully accept the Torah. 

 *May this Shabbos ready us for the Torah and its blessings* 

לעילוי נשמת לאה בת אברהם 

Please feel free to print out and distribute in your shul 

If you would like to sponsor a week of Miller’s Musings l’ilui nishmas someone, for a Refuah Sheleima or to celebrate a Simcha please send a message to millersmusingsrabbi@gmail.com or to 07531332970

Miller's Musings for Shavuos: A Piece of Me

This week's Miller's Musings is sponsored: 

לעילוי נשמת שושנה רוזה בת נפתלי משה 

and as a רפואה שלמה for

יהודה זאב בן ברכה אלכסנדרה גילה    

                                                                            דבס'' 

MILLER’S MUSINGS

FOR תועובש

A Piece of Me

There is no question that the giving of the Torah was an event totally unique in the annals of history and unmatched in what took place.  A mass revelation, never to have occurred before or to occur again.  Nevertheless in terms of its miraculous nature, we may question what it was about it that made it stand out above all the other wondrous miracles that took place around that time.  Yet this is exactly how it is referred to in Devorim, “since the day that G-d created man upon the earth whether there has been any such thing as this great thing is?”.   What was it about this event that was like no other?

                                                             

Our deliverance from the claws of death in Egypt, the nature-defying plagues and even the incredible display of Hashem’s might at the Yam Suf all had one thing in common.  They displayed Hashem’s greatness and supreme dominance over creation.  They were direct manifestations of His love for us and His desire to avenge our enemies, but they were not Hashem Himself.  We saw what Hashem does and is, but we did not actually connect with the essence of Him.  This, says the Alei Be’er, is what makes the giving of the Torah unique.  For the Torah is not just an expression of Hashem’s kindness, it is a part of Himself.  Har Sinai was the only point at which Hashem revealed not only His relationship with us and the world, but something of His fundamental being.  This is what He bestowed upon us and why there is nothing like the event celebrated on Shavuos.  This may in fact be why there is no Mitzvah of the day, like other Yomim Tovim.  It is because the giving of the Torah can never be commemorated by any other act.  It is so exceptional and incomparable that any form of remembrance, other than learning Torah itself, would be a dilution and unworthy of the day.    

There is an easy mistake to make and consider learning Torah just one other Mitzvah.  We daven, treat people properly, keep Shabbos and we also learn Torah occasionally.  But what we have said should make us realise that absorbing the Torah’s teachings gives us more than any other Mitzvah and is far more than just an instruction book for life. It is a chance to connect the most directly with Hashem Himself.  There is no other Mitzvah that contains this prospect.  So on Shavuos, when we celebrate this wondrous gift we have been given, it may be the most opportune time to think how we can increase our Torah learning, even by a minimal amount.  There is always some time that we can find, as long as our priorities are as they should be.  We can consider how we can best support others in their learning and encourage those around us to participate in it further.  The more we do the more connected we are and the more we make ourselves people who are people of Hashem.

*May this Shavuos help us feel ever closer to Hashem* 

לעילוי נשמת לאה בת אברהם 

Please feel free to print out and distribute in your shul 

If you would like to sponsor a week of Miller’s Musings l’ilui nishmas someone, for a Refuah Sheleima or to celebrate a Simcha please send a message to millersmusingsrabbi@gmail.com or to 07531332970