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D''vrei Mordechai

by Reb Mordechai Rosen z"l
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What does Hashem Elokecha ask from you, but to fear Hashem Elokecha and to walk in His ways? (Devorim, Perek Yud, Pasuk Yud Gimmel)

Parshas Matos

At the beginning of Perek Lamed Bais, the Pasuk tells us that the Reuven and Gad desired to settle not in the Eretz Yisrael, but on the side of the River Jordan that they stood on. These two Shevatim had an abundance of cattle and believed that this was good grazing land.

They approached Moshe and asked his permission to settle, promising that they would join the other Shevatim in conquering Eretz Yisrael before they settled down.

The Chumash tells us that they asked permission to build holdings for their cattle and cities for their families. When Moshe responds to them he reverses the order and tells them to build cities for their families and holdings for their cattle.

Why did Moshe reverse the order of their words? Moshe was teaching the Shevatim a life lesson. He told them that their families must come before their businesses. First, set up cities for your families and then set up boundaries for your businesses.

And then Moshe ended with these words "HaYotzay MePichem Tasu", what ever comes out of your mouth you must do - which means honor your words.

Two lessons that we many generations later can still find applicable to our lives today - make your family your number one priority and keep your word.

 

PARSHAS MASSAY

This vort was said by the "Imrei Aish," the Moditzer Rebbe, Reb Shmuel Eliyahu Taub zt"l.

"Ki Ani Hashem Shochen Bisoch Bnei Yisrael" (Perek Lamed Hey, Pasuk Lamed Daled) For I am Hashem, dwelling amidst the children of Israel. The Imrei Aish tells us that if we take the name of Hashem and put it between the words Bnei and Yisrael, reading it "Bnei Hashem, Yisrael," these words have the gematria of Ruach and Kedusha. In other words, if we as a nation allow Hashem to dwell amongst us then our lives will be filled with His spirit and His holiness. Let us hope that we will be Zocheh to lives filled with the Ruach and Kedusha of Hashem Yisborach.

 



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