In this week’s parsha the Moshe gives his final speech to the Jewish Nation.  He instructs us how best to live for all time.  He tells us that times will come when not all Jews are keeping the Torah, and each one of us will have times when we are not keeping it the way that we should (each of us knows what we could and should do better).  Then we will have an awakening, and he tells us that we should know, “for it is very close to you, this thing, in your mouth and heart to do it” this is referring to teshuva, returning and coming close to HaShem.  How are we to understand that it is very close, which would imply easy, when we know that at times it may be quite difficult? Because all it takes is that first step, in our mouths, just to say that we want to be better.  Following that our hearts will feel that which we spoke with our mouths, than we have to do it.  When we try we receive divine assistance, all that is needed is that first sincere step.

In this week’s Parsha there is a posuk “This day HaShem commands you to keep the mitzvos”.  The yetzer horah often will tell us that although we certainly must do the mitzvos, today there is not time or is inconvenient and tomorrow we will get a fresh start and begin keeping all the mitzvos and do teshuva, and do all the right things.  When tomorrow arrives, it is often the same thing, day after day.  The Torah tells us, do it today, do not put it off until tomorrow.  Another ruse of the yetzer horah is to tell us that it is too much to take on to keep the Torah for the rest of our life!  We are therefore told that we are commanded for today, one can certainly keep the mitzvos for today, then tomorrow we will worry about tomorrow!

In this week’s Parsha we learn the mitzva of “maakeh” (fence).  When a person has a roof, porch or balcony that is accessible, we are commanded to put up a fence so that no one can fall off.  The posuk says “when you build a new house put up a fence for your roof”.  The Ben Ish Chai interprets this very poignantly for the month of Elul (the current month, the month before Rosh HaShana during which we try to do teshuva and repent).  A person is a house for HaShem to dwell in, when we do teshuva and become closer to G-d we are considered as new, so it is as though we have built a new house.  We are told to put up a fence, so as to insure that we do fall back into our old sinful behavior.  May we all be successful in doing teshuva and keep the ground that we have gained and continually grow greater and greater.

In this week’s parsha we are commanded to “Establish for yourself judges and enforcers at all your gates that HaShem your G-d has given to you”.  A gate is something that has entrance or exit capabilities, the gates of a person therefore would be the five senses as they allow information into the person, and the power of speech which allows it to leave the person.  We are commanded to set up guards for ourselves so that we judge what it is that enters our mind, making sure that it is pure and worthy to do so, as well as judging what it is that we say.  We must also try to set up for ourselves ways to ensure that we do only what we deem appropriate, else the judgement will have no chance of being followed.

In this week’s parsha we learn the laws of a “maisis” one who attempt to lead others astray and convince them to worship idols.  The punishment for this rasha and the way we deal with him is the harshest and most severe that we find in the entire Torah.  Rav Simcha Zissel used to point out that this person although very evil did not actually convince anyone to do anything wrong, and even still solely for the attempt he is punished so harshly.  If we try to bring others close to HaShem the reward for it will be immeasurable and we will reap the benefits for all eternity.

In this week’s Parsha Moshe tells the Jews that we are blessed because we have the Torah.  There are many times in a person’s life when he has to make a decision.  At times we are unsure what to do and it may be difficult, if we could ask HaShem what to do and He would tell us that would be fantastic.  We who have the Torah have the solution to any issue that may arise in life.  Besides for the mitzvos and avairos that are contained within it which instruct us how to behave in all situations, there is advice for anything that exists.  For example, in investing the Torah advises splitting ones money into thirds, (real estate, movables, and savings) so that one will always have what to fall back on if one doesnt work.  This applies to each individual and to the nation as a whole as well.  We are truly a fortunate people to have been given the Torah, HaShem’s gift to us.

Today is Tisha Ba’Av the Jewish day of mourning.  There have been innumerable tragedies that have occurred to our people on this day throughout the millenia of our history.  We mourn the loss of the two Bais Hamikdash that were destroyed on this day among many other terrible events.  There is a chapter in Tehillim that describes the destruction and it begins, a Song to Asaf.  The Gemara asks why is it called a song?  It should be called an elegy (mournful poem)!!  The Gemara answers that since HaShem took out His anger (so to speak) on sticks and stones (the Bais Hamikdash) and did not destroy us as a people we sing a song.  Although Tisha Ba’Av is a day of mourning, it is also a day of hope, a day of recognition of our existence.  After all we have been through as a Nation we are still around and this is the greatest miracle in our history.  Let this be the last Tisha Ba’Av as a day of mourning and let next year be a day of joy!!

In this week’s Parsha Moshe speaks to the Jewish Nation and compares them to the stars in the sky.  The Medrash on this tells us that although today we are compared to the stars, in the future our light will be like a raging fire.  Stars are only visible when the night is clear, but if it is cloudy or there is some other impediment the stars will not be seen.  A fire on the other hand shows through clouds, smoke and all other visual blocks.  All throughout or history our mitzvos were blocked by the various decrees made against us, and by the assimilation we face.  That is why we are like stars, our shining came and went.  In times to come though we will shine bright and strong forever.

In this week’s Parsha we learn about purifying utensils that had been used for non-kosher food.  The first step is to clean it thoroughly.  Following that would depend on how the item is used, if it was used with water, it gets immersed in water, if fire was the primary user than it would get immersed in fire.  We can learn from this how to purify our own souls, the first step is to cleanse it of sins, by stopping committing them.  Following that we must see how we go after sin, if we have a burning desire like fire for sin, we must try to develop that same lust for mitzvos.  The best way to do so is by the Torah, we should strengthen our connection to the Torah by learning more ourselves and attaching ourselves to those who do.

Chana the mother of Shmuel Hanavi, prayed for an average son.  She did not want anyone with exceptional talents, nor should he be lacking basic skills.  Her request was granted as she said “here is the son that I prayed for”.  Shmuel HaNavi, grew up to be of the greatest men in our history.  He is considered in some ways to be equal to Moshe and Aron combined.  He anointed the first two kings of Israel, and did many other great things.  We should try to learn an important lesson as to what heights a person can reach when he applies himself.  Shmuel became so great because of his dedication to HaShem.  We too, we cannot say we do not have any special talents or skills, what can we accomplish?  Rather we must use what we were given to its fullest and then we will be great people!