Miller's MusingsParshas Terumah: Crazy Rich

BS'D

To receive Miller’s Musings as text and audio by WhatsApp or Email, text/WhatsApp 07531322970 or email millersmusingsrabbi@gmail.com

This week’s Miller’s Musings is sponsored לעילוי נשמת לאה בת אברהם

Quote of the Week: “Money is our madness, our vast collective madness.”

Miller’s Musings

 תרומהפרשת 

Crazy Rich

If there’s one thing the Jewish people have always excelled at, it is giving.  Throughout history, individuals and organisations have been there to provide for the destitute and support those in need.  The donations for the materials to construct the Mishkon and its utensils was something that every Jew was asked to participate in.  Rather curiously though, our Sages tell us that Moshe was instructed to ask the Jewish people in a manner meant to appease the loss of money that would be incurred.  This would beg the question why this would be necessary.  After their plundering of Egypt and the spoils they amassed at the Red Sea, they certainly had enough riches. Would it really require appeasement for them to contribute towards one of the greatest endeavors they would ever embark upon? To bring G-d into this world to ‘live’ amongst us.

Hashem asking them to be a part of this magnificent enterprise was perhaps a way of ensuring that they were personally and profoundly invested in this Sanctuary.  Giving of themselves towards its creation meant that each individual felt directly connected to the resting place of Hashem.  Every Jew must have seen this and understand its significance and yet they seemingly still needed placating.  This enigma, says the Saba MiKelm, is one more example of the power of the Yetzer Horah, our Evil Inclination and his ability to not only convince us to do that which we anyway desire, but even to bring us to the point of madness and lose all rational thought.  It is able to blind the eyes of the most sagacious of people and confuse even the most judicious, in particular when things we value, such as money, are threatened.  It was this realm of insanity from which the Jewish people had to be extracted through the careful words chosen by Moshe.  It is from within this folly of the jurisdiction of the Yetzer Horah that we must escape by whatever means are necessary, whenever we fall prey to his deceits.

Knowing the tremendous power of our own Evil Inclination is incredibly important on two levels.  It firstly allows us to understand ourselves and the foolishness that we are capable of, no matter how astute or learned we might think we are.  Nobody is unsusceptible to the stupidity and complete lack of integrity that it has the ability to wreak in our lives, especially when it comes to defending that which we hold dear, such as our family, friends or anything we have invested time into.  This is something we must be aware of, alert to, and look for, so that we can seek means to overcome it.  But secondly it may give us some insight into the behaviour of others that seem to scream at us as misplaced, blatantly improper, or emphatically immoral.  It may help us to somehow understand when we are let down or mistreated so cruelly by another.  For when it is something that means so much to them, the Yetzer Horah can grab hold of a person and drag them to a place that reason may not enter.  We may see it more clearly in others, but we must be vigilant to see it in ourselves too.

*May this Shabbos open our eyes to who we are and who others are too*

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 07531322970

Miller's Musings Parshas Mishpotim: See-nai Every Day

בס''ד

To receive Miller’s Musings as text and audio by WhatsApp or Email, text/WhatsApp 07531322970 or email millersmusingsrabbi@gmail.com

This week’s Miller’s Musings is sponsored לעילוי נשמת לאה בת אברהם

Quote of the Week: “Live your life by a compass, not by a clock.”

Miller’s Musings

משפטיםפרשת 

See-nai Every Day

No one likes to be interrupted, especially mid-flow.  Yet the Torah, in the middle of perhaps the most important narrative of all, does just that. The giving of the Torah, Hashem’s only direct interaction with an entire nation, and humanity being presented with the very purpose of our existence, is interposed with the numerous laws outlined in our Parsha.  They are indisputably important directives for daily living, such as those relating to personal injury, liabilities and the judicial system. But is it entirely necessary to have them interject during such a monumental episode as that of receiving the Torah?

If we were to analyse what it was that was so remarkable and unique about Hashem appearing at Sinai, it was the unparalleled connection that we had with Hashem at that time.  Leaving aside what we were given and the implications of such a wondrous gift, just being so close to Hashem at that time and experiencing His presence in such an intimate and manifest way, was something unequaled throughout all of history. It would be natural to therefore assume that this was the pinnacle of human existence.  A moment that would remain the consummate point of connection that could never be rivalled.  Yet the truth is not so clear.  If Hashem wanted this to be the endpoint and aim for our lives then He would have made this permanently possible for us to achieve.  But our purpose and our goal is to connect with Hashem in all we do.  Through our mundane daily living.  Through our interactions with each other.  Through the way we conduct ourselves in our work life and businesses.   Perhaps the message of the Torah is that these laws that govern the more commonplace lived experiences are just as much connecting with Hashem as that of the Divine Revelation at Sinai, and in fact create an even more profound relationship with Him. These laws are placed in the middle of this epic event because they are that very thing that Sinai created; an opportunity, every day and every moment, to feel Hashem’s presence in our lives and this time be the instigator of this transcendence.   

It is a part of the human condition that those things that we permanently possess are the things that are appreciated the least, but are often worth the most.  Our health, our family, our financial security, are all things we seem to only begin to fully value once they are gone.  This may equally be true with the mitzvos we are so fortunate to have been given.  We sometimes regard those more sporadic commandments as having intrinsically more value to them, just because of their rarity, whilst minimising the importance of those that make up our daily schedule or are what we would consider part of being a decent human being.  But davening, blessings, concern for each other, simple kindnesses and acting with integrity are worth more than we can possibly realise and are continuations of that moment at Sinai when we connected with Hashem with such intensity.  We must try to see all the good we do in this vein, knowing that each act we do strengthens our relationship with our Father above.

*May the goodness we do this Shabbos be appreciated by us as much as it is by Him*

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 07531322970

Miller's Musings Parshas Shemos: Beginning From The End

ד בס"

To receive Miller’s Musings  as text and audio by WhatsApp or Email, text/WhatsApp 07531322970 or email millersmusingsrabbi@gmail.com

This week’s Miller’s Musings is sponsored לעילוי נשמת   לאה בת אברהם ולרפואה שלמה מאיר נתן בן דבורה יונתן בן מרים

Quote of the Week: “Sometimes G-d will let you hit rock bottom so that you will discover that He is the Rock at the bottom.”

Miller’s Musings

שמותפרשת  

Beginning From The End

It is perhaps one of the most iconic scenes depicted in the Torah.  Certainly in the life of Moshe, the foremost leader of the Jewish people.  It is where it all began, at that burning bush.  Where Hashem first transmits to Moshe the destiny that lies ahead for him.  But what did it all mean?  Why was this vision the one that was chosen to divert Moshe’s attention and bring him to hear the message of Hashem?  It is undoubtedly a wondrous image, to see a bush on fire and yet not be consumed.  But there is surely some hidden, more profound message, depicted by this miracle.

It is well-known that the Jewish people in Egypt had sunk to almost unascendable depths.  One more step towards impurity, would have meant it would have been impossible to rise again or be redeemed.  Their eventual emancipation from slavery, was not due to their own merit, for they were seemingly lacking almost any.  So why did Hashem leave it this long?  Why did He leave it until the last minute and have to do so in a tremendous rush so as to prevent the spiritual annihilation that may have been only moments away?  The answer, says the Nesivos Sholom, can be understood by viewing a seed planted in the earth.  It is only when the seed has seemingly completely decomposed and at a point where only the barest minimum of its structure remains, then, and only then, does the seed begin to sprout and the plant begin to grow.   It was the Jewish people at that point, where nothing was left but the tiniest vestige of spiritual life-force.  That was the most perfect time for their rebirth to begin.  And this was the message conveyed to Moshe.  That no matter how much the Jews were engulfed by the flames of the Egyptian contagion of decadence and depravity, they were never entirely devoured by it.  They somehow maintained that tiny spark of faith and connection that kept them alive and allowed for their resurrection.

We try to have trust in Hashem and maintain our belief, no matter how desperate the situation or challenging the ordeal.  But there can be times when we simply fail to see where the light may come from.  The situation seems calamitous and there are no obvious solutions nor positives to be taken.  It is at these moments that we must consider the idea we have discussed.  That just when we think we are about to lose it all, and just when we think there is no hope for salvation, it is precisely then that we will begin to see Hashem’s hand and then that a new dawn may rise for us.  That which seemed a disaster may well transpire to be the best thing that has ever happened to us and that which appeared awful may instigate the emergence of something that will change your life for the better.  It is the faithfulness to Hashem’s ultimate good that is the spark that is never extinguished and always gives us hope for redemption.  It is this that will ultimately bring about our salvation. 

*May Shabbos bring us total clarity of the perfection of where we are*

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PRINT OUT THE PDF 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 07531322970

Miller's Musings Parshas Vayigash: In Total Control

To receive Miller’s Musings              as text and audio by WhatsApp or Email, text/WhatsApp 07531322970    or email millersmusingsrabbi@gmail.com

This week’s Miller’s Musings is sponsored לעילוי נשמת לאה בת אברהם

Quote of the Week: “Strength is built upon inner character. Character is built upon inner strength.”

Miller’s Musings

ויגש פרשת

In Total Control

Yosef is sending a message to his father for the first time in over twenty years.  There must have been so much that he wanted to say.  So much that he wanted to tell him including everything that had occurred.  But surely most importantly would be to let him know that he had not strayed from his father’s teachings.  He had not left the path that Yaakov had set out for him.  This is surely what would have concerned his father the most and therefore the primary communication he would want to pass on.  And yet we see the one thing he asks for his brothers to tell him is of his success in Egypt and his position as the “ruler over all the land of Egypt.”  Why?  Could he possibly have thought that this would impress a man of Yaakov’s spiritual heights? What did he hope to convey?

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Yosef certainly impressed Paroah with his dream interpretation, not only making sense but in the way it all resonated with Paroah as the absolute truth. But Paraoh had surely met wise men before who would have shown great wisdom during his reign. So what was it about Yosef that made him not only assign him as overseer of the food supply during the years of plenty and famine, but also as the second-in-command for his entire kingdom?  Although there are many traits that one may look for in a leader of people the Sifsei Chaim says that the one universal mark of a great ruler is one who is able to conquer their own selves.  A person that is in total control of their own desires and personality has the strength and power to lead judiciously and discerningly.  Such a person will not let pride destroy them nor jealousy dissuade them from treating others correctly.  They will not allow anger to obscure their rational thought nor desire distort what they know to be right.  This is what Paroah saw in Yosef when he refused to take credit for the elucidation of the dreams, despite the potential of tremendous reward and favour from the king. When he prefaced his explanation, saying his abilities stemmed only from Hashem, Paraoh saw that Yosef was in absolute control of himself and was therefore worthy of a place by his side.  This was what Yosef was telling his father. I have not let you down. I have clung fast to your principles and maintained my dominance over my baser instincts and the proof is that I, a slave, have been elevated to rule over Egypt.  Only a person adhering to these ideals could have ascended in this way.  

                                                                                                                                                                                                   

There is a certain irony to the fact that many people claim to refuse to be slaves to religion, yet are more than happy to be slaves to mass media, culture or, worst of all, their own visceral desires.  Someone who is unable to control what they look at, consume, talk about or think of, are surely showing a weakness of character that must at least be acknowledged, if not remedied.  Who are we if we do not display at the minimum some capacity to restrict ourselves and regulate these areas of our life? What type of person have we become if life is lived without boundaries or limits and we cannot at times exercise restraint rather than indulgence? If we aspire to be leaders of others we must start by being rulers of ourselves.

*May the power of Shabbos give us the power we need to gain control of ourselves*

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 07531322970

Miller's Musings Parshas Vayishlach: Our Last Line of Defence

​

 לעילוי נשמת לאה בת אברהם   ד בס''

To receive Miller’s Musings         as text and audio by WhatsApp or Email, text/WhatsApp 07531322970 or email millersmusingsrabbi@gmail.com

This week’s Miller’s Musings is sponsored  לעילוי נשמת מרדכי בן שלמה יחיאל ולאה בת אברהם

Quote of the Week: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

Miller’s Musings

וישלחפרשת   

Our Last Line Of Defence

The epic battle between Yaakov and the angel of Eisov is one that can be viewed on any number of levels.  The eternal battle between the forces of evil in the world versus the powers for good.  The perpetual conflict between our Torah way of life and the influences that would corrupt them.  Or perhaps the struggle between our nation and those who would seek to do us harm or destroy us.  Whatever our understanding of this encounter, the question that poses itself is why it was specifically Yaakov chosen to engage with the angel rather than the other forefathers, Avrohom or Yitzchok?

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

If we focus for a moment on this skirmish as something of a metaphor for the endless fight that takes place between our animal self and our more elevated soul, then, suggests Reb Elchonon Wasserman zt’l, we can begin to see why it was Yaakov selected by the Yetzer Horah.  For in war there can be many individual clashes between the opposing sides.  And defeat is not necessarily conclusively gained by the loss of one such confrontation.  Even the vanquished can get up and rise again to once more step into the breach.  But if all of your adversary’s weapons have been lost or captured in battle, then you can truly consider yourself the victor.  Chazal tell us that the most potent antidote to the evil inclination is Torah and this is what Yaakov represented above all us.  A person may be riddled with sin and lacking almost all positive deeds, but if they have Torah then there is always a chance for repentance and a potential deterrent for this congenital proclivity for wrong.  Avrohom exemplified kindness and Yitzchok personified strict judgement.  But for the Soton to gain absolute victory he needed to conquer and ultimately crush Torah, as embodied by Yaakov.

                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Whether individually or collectively, until the time of Moshiach, we are here to do battle and fight evil, in all its shapes and sizes.  Each day we must subdue our predilection towards focusing only on the self and instead look outwards.  Each moment we must ask what we should be doing, not necessarily what we want to be doing.  And in every generation there may be those that look to hurt us and cause our people pain and we must endeavour to triumph over their schemes.  But as the children of Yaakov, the Bnei Yisroel, we hold the most powerful protection and devastating armoury to combat all that have malevolent intentions towards us.  The Chofetz Chaim once said that the Yetzer Horah is not bothered if a Jew fasts, cries and prays all day as long as he does not learn Hashem’s Torah.  We must allow the Torah into our lives and souls and cherish its teachings.  Forces will always emerge to conspire against us as long as we do not bring perfection to the world, so we must make sure that we have the wherewithal to combat it.  Learn Torah, transmit Torah, absorb Torah and live Torah, and there will ultimately be nothing that can destroy us nor keep us from our purpose.

*May we utilise Shabbos for making Torah ever more part of our lives*

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 07531322970

--

Shimmy Miller
Rebbe/Teacher/Counsellor/Tutor| Manchester Mesivta and Private
07531322970 | rabbimiller.mesivta@gmail.com| http://rabbimillersmusings.blogspot.co.uk/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/shimmy-miller/9/934/9a3