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!

In this week’s Parsha Pinchas is granted the blessing of HaShem, peace and the Priesthood, for defending the Honor of HaShem and executing Zimri for his sin and public blasphemy.  The singular form of the word G-d is used as opposed to the more standard plural form.  When the Ten Commandments were given the singular form was used as well.  This is because each and every one of us have our own responsibility to serve HaShem as He commanded us to do, regardless of what everyone else is doing.  There is no excuse that someone else is sinning therefore we will too.  Pinchas saw Moshe and Aron standing on the side and they did not get up to stop Zimri, he could have told himself that if the greatest men are not doing anything how could he?  But he did not, he knew what the correct thing to do was and he did it.  We should try to learn from this and always do the right thing regardless of what everyone else is doing.

When the Jews were at the edge of the Red Sea, with the Egyptians closing in behind them, they cried to HaShem to save them.  HaShem told Moshe, why are you crying to Me, tell the Bnai Yisroel to travel.  The obvious question is what better thing to do than cry to HaShem for help when we are in a tight spot?!? HaShem is telling us something very important here, when we cry to Him, we bring ourselves closer to Him and we become His.  Once we have reached that level and are relying on Him totally than there is no need for us to cry anymore for He will fulfill our needs.