The Weekly Mission- Torah Portion by Isaiah Rothstein

Ever since the Jews left Egypt, they’ve always had something to complain about. The Jews incessantly hassled Moshe and Aaron, whining about different and often unreasonable issues. The pattern that the Jews paved was usually very similar to the preceding and proceeding complaints. The order usually was: The Jews complain to Moshe, Moshe falls on his face (prays), and then HaShem either threatens or takes action, and then the Jews repent or are granted the object of their complaint. I think it is safe to say that HaShem supported the Jews while they were on their mission from Egypt up to Israel. He continuously spoiled us while we struggled through the desert. Even in times when we had little if any emunah (faith), HaShem still guided us like sheep. He never left us hanging. While wandering through the desert, the Jewish people underappreciated the fact that HaShem took them out from Egypt and provided food and water while en route to the Promised Land. The Jews began to co...

Weekly Mission: Parshat Korach (5770) This d’var Torah is written and read (please G-d) for the complete recovery of Shayndel Gittel bat Ayda Adina . Please say a prayer for her in your own words, with a prayer book, or good deeds. There is a story told about two great Hasidic scholars who were brothers --- Reb Zushe and Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk. Both were students of the Maggid of Mezeritch and were known for their greatness in Torah and Jewish mysticism. One time when they were passing through a certain city, they heard that a robbery took place that same day. The police saw Reb Zushe and Reb Elimelech and suspected them of the robbery since they looked unfamiliar. Thus, he arrested them and put them in jail. Upon entering the cell, Reb Elimelech grew weary as he realized that the sun was setting and he would not be able to pray the afternoon service. Because it was a jail, there was a bucket filled with feces nearby. In such surroundings, a Jew is not allowed to pray. Reb Eli...

Weekly Mission: Parshat Shlach (5770) “But my servant Caleb, because a different spirit was with him and he followed Me wholeheartedly, I shall bring him to the land to which he came, and his offspring shall possess it.” [i] It is often difficult to imagine that one person can actually make a colossal difference in the world. We often struggle to wake up in the morning and many of our days are rote. When will we say to ourselves, “I too can change the world”? As human beings, we are terrified and overwhelmed by the world. We contemplate growth and change but when we see something far greater than our greatest thoughts, we retreat to the lower dimensions of our heart. Our motivation for greatness is stifled by another’s greatness. We are belittled because we feel inadequate and are unable to fathom our maximized potential. Because of uncertainty, the Jewish people ask Moshe to send spies into the Holy Land. They were asked to, “See the Land—how is it? And th...

Weekly Mission: Parshat Behalotcha Holy friends, this dvar Torah is meant for me as much as it is for you. So please, open your hearts… Life is a rollercoaster. Sometimes we go up and sometimes we go down. Sometimes we reach high levels, but then we come crashing down. Throughout their existence, the Jewish people constantly lived this rollercoaster ride as the “stiff-necked-people.” We try and we fall. We try again and we fall again. How do we understand our failings and consistent struggles? This parsha begins with the beautiful light of the Menorah and ends with the unfortunate slander which Moshe’s siblings spoke against him. What causes us to fall as individuals and as a greater community? Why do we all share, in some respect, an appetite for destruction and a battle for G-d-consciousness? When the Jews begin journeying from Sinai, HaShem searches for a resting place for them. As they travel, the Clouds of Glory leave every moment utterly unpredictable. [i] Then,...