Simchas Avraham

How does one achieve success?

The Torah gives us a glimpse into how to become successful.

Why was Yosef zoche to have the status of an 'av'? Why is he any better than the other shvatim?

Yaakov's brachos weren't your classic bracha. It was a way to tell his children how to become the best version of themselves.

Yosef Hatzadik cried for different things at different times because he knew what to focus on.

What is so special about Zos Chanukah?

It may be like all the other Yomim Tovim. The end is everything.

The story of Bnei Yisrael in this parsha and throughout is always calculated to bring the healing before the unfortunate event takes place.

With all the tragedies we've endured throughout the years, there is still an end to it all. Chanukah is the Yom Tov that brings the point home.

Why did Yosef get two more years in prison? Hishtadlus is always necessary ?!?

Yaakov Avinu attempted to find peace and tranquility. How did he do it? Not just by what he did, but also where he did it.

Continuing to explain Yaakov's battle vs. the malach, and what it means for us.

The Malach started up with Yaakov Avinu to start up with the one who learned Torah non-stop.

But for us, it may be even more than this.

Rochel gave up herself not to embarrass her sister. Hashem didn't forget and paid her back. We too won't be forgotten for what we do.

Leah called her fourth son Yehuda because she wasn't missing anything without him.

How could Yitzchak think Yaakov was Eisav? Did he not realize when he spoke and heard his voice?

It could be understood based on how Yitzchak viewed Eisav.

How is it that Yitzchak loved Eisav over Yaakov?

The answer lies in Yitzchak himself.

The Torah tells us the age of Yishmael for only one reason.

Similarly, everything that happens in the world is also for one reason.

Eliezer was just a servant. Why did he have such Siyata Dishmaya? It wasn't him. It was Avraham.

Lot's wife became a pillar of salt not just because she didn't give salt, but also because her head was in the wrong place.

When a person overcomes a challenge, it not only means he has overcome it, but he also uplifts himself to greater heights.

The two tests at the beginning and end of the parsha that Avraham underwent contain a common theme.

What was the exact test of Lech Lecha? Arvaham was guaranteed many good things if he went?!? Why the fuss?

The answer lies in how it is done.

When someone is inebriated, you don't let them be and make a fool of themselves. You need to make sure they don't embarrass themselves.

However, Cham didn't seem to care about Noach's state.

Noach's intentions when he planted a vineyard after he left the teiva were good. Unfortunately, things went array from there,

When Adam Harishon was created, it was different than by every other creation. A fundamental difference for all time.

The end and beginning of the Chumash tell the world that we are the true religion.

Continuing the same theme, we can explain a specific halachos that is unique to this Yom Tov.

Sukkos reminds us of Who controls everything

What is the chiddush of teshuva? A person can also forgive! The answer may be what lies in the benefits of teshuva.

When a person does an aveira, it wasn't what he really meant to do. Sure, he knew what he was doing. But, deep down, he wishes he weren't doing it.

Rosh Hashana is a time when we can gain so much. We just need to look at it differently.

The roshei teivos of אני לדודי ודודי לי for Elul aren't only the well-known ones. There are others as well.

Perhaps we can gain a great insight into how our approach should be viewed during these days.

By understanding how forgiveness works, we can understand why teshuva is so close to us.

The curses in this parsha aren't a punishment per se; they are a result.

This terrible tragedy brought back memories of a different tragedy that took place this time of year.

How do you keep the Yetzer Hara from taking you over?

A very practical eitzah

Two things we must remember daily happened "on the road". Why there? Because even on the road, things need to stay as normal as possible.

The month of Elul is a reminder of who we are.

A king had a very significant role. A role that comes with power and responsibility. To carry out his role correctly, there was one thing he constantly needed to have with him.

People go to great lengths to obtain brachas from the most prominent rabbanim. However, the best bracha is one you can get without going anywhere.

When one passes away, it's not the end of life. Therefore, we have an issur to harm ourselves.

Our Real Father is always around. We are never orphans.

Want to be in Eretz Yisrael while still in Chutz La'aretz? There's one place to go, to transport yourself there.

It'll help you here, and later on as well.

Attaining yiras shmayim is no small task, or is it??

What is the connection between Tisha Bav and this week's parsha? Perhaps its alluding to how it was destroyed and how to rectify it.

The greatest person ever to walk the face of this planet, Moshe Rabbeinu, was told by Hashem to stop davening.

It's not necessarily about getting a yes; it's about connecting.

How is one to relate to Tisha Bav? We never saw the Beis Hamikdah; we didn't witness what took place then.

Perhaps, however, relating isn't so far-fetched.

When you hang around the right people, you become like them. You take on their characteristics and may even be their successor.

A person has the power to do something that he doesn't have to do. Hashem gave us lots that we must and must not do. When it comes from you, it makes it special.

What is the reason behind not getting married during the three weeks?

It may have a lot to do with what getting married is akin to.

Pinchas not only receives the ultimate reward by living forever, but he also brings peace, just as he did originally.

Biliam was as anti-Avraham as it comes. His body, lust, and whole physical being got the better of him.

Don't be a Bilam.

Balak saw that Bnei Yisrael were victorious in battle against the Emori. He wanted so much to destroy Bnei Yisrael that he made peace with their archenemy.

Miriam passes away, and the well ceases to spring forth water. In her merit, the well came.

Only one person was able to bring the well back to life.

Parah Aduma is called a chok. By the same token, Torah in a way is also a chok. They both have different ways to affect a person.

What happened to the earth that swallowed these wicked people alive? Was it a natural occurrence like we have today, or a one-time phenomenon?

Korach knew what he was doing. He asked very pointed questions. But he was missing the boat.

Were the Meraglim tzaddikim or reshaim? An apparent contradiction needs explanation.

The Meraglim saw the same exact thing as Yehoshua and Calev. So why did they come back with such a terrible report?

The Rambam tells us how to conduct ourselves in a time of war.

What was it that Hashem told Aharon that made him feel better? What is it about the Menorah that helped him?

Why is it that by a Sotah, there is no other way to check if she was guilty? Can it not be like any other halacha where we can testify, swear, or the like? Why is Sotah so different?

What is the celebration of Shavous? The Torah we have today is not the Torah of Shavous. We made a major mistake then.

So why the fuss?

On the one hand, we must be extremely humble, but on the other hand, we must know we are great.

The connection between Bhar & Bechoshai seems to lie in the simple understanding of the Parsha themselves. If you don't follow the Halachas in Behar, then Bechukosai will take place, ח״ו.

The connection between Shmeita and the Jews is the same. They both make no sense.

The Dubna Magid z"l gives us an insight into what it means to be a frum upstanding jew.

Should every day need to be a complete day? Why do we wait till it's night only on Shavous?

The Netziv zt"l illuminates our eyes.

Holiness isn't just some intangible concept that is above us. It's putting into practice certain guidelines that we must not cross.

We count sefira in ascending order, not descending. That may be because of the significance and importance of the matter.

When someone speaks too much, they're prone to say something derogatory. When that happens, they are likened to someone else.

Did Rebbe Akiva's talmidim need to die now? Why not at any other time during the year?

The answer perhaps proves a point the sefarim tell us.

Kosher animals have an innate trait that other animals do not have. It's not just the physical attributes, it's a certain nature.

Yiddishkeit gives us structure daily and tells us what we can and cannot do. If we comprehend this, we can apply it to our personal lives.

Krias Yam Suf makes no sense. This is a fundamental part of the whole Yom Tov of Pesach.

Matzah represents having no Yetzer Hara. When we became a nation, when we left Mitzrayim we were perfect. Therefore only on Pesach do we have the prohibition of eating chametz.

We have so many things at the Seder that we do in fours at the Seder. Perhaps to allude to our original, central foursome that we had, and keeps us around till this day.

Lavan was the ultimate Rasha. We talk about him during the Seder to counteract his doing.

Without the Beis Hamikdash, it's just that we're in Galus and we don't have a clear vision like it should be. We also don't have a way to achieve atonement as we used to.

Sefer Vayikra deals mainly with Korbanos. It is no coincidence that it falls out right when the one Korban that everyone must do without exception.

The word Nissan comes from the word ״נס״. As we enter the month, we should realize it's a miracle we're still here.

A different way to understand the work 'pekudei'

What did Moshe do to contribute to the Mishkan? It's a very big one. Maybe the most significant of all.

The Chasam Sofer zt"l tells us an astounding chiddush regarding the building of the Mishkan

The Chofetz Chaim affected someone so deeply that he stopped being mechalel Shabbos.

Purim is a day that is filled with simcha. All the mitzvos bring us to that state of glee. When you do that, it can be a catalyst for the whole coming year.

What do three out of the four mitzvos on Purim have in common?

They bring people together.

Moshe's name isn't mentioned in the parsha to teach us a very powerful lesson.

Why do the Kohanim need to wear certain clothes? Could they not just wear simple clothes?

No, they can't. What you wear defines you.

When everyone gives the same half of a shekel, it means that no one is bigger or better than anyone else.

And when that happens, it makes everyone happy.

The Kruvim represents two people learning. But not just any two people. Two children. Perhaps to signify how one needs to approach learning.

How do we feel the inspiration we once had when the Beis Hamikdash was around?

Go to the shuls and Batei Midrashim, places where spirituality reigns, and see people to look up to.

The Vilna Gaon illuminates our eyes as to why the pasuk isn't to be taken literally.

Shavous seems to have more significance than due to Matan Torah.

The Parsha talks about a lot of halachos that we have between people. Do these pertain to between a Jew and a non-jew? Certainly not.

Should one wake up a parent for them to gain? A machlokes amongst modern-day poskim.

Just like Tu Bishvat celebrates the rejuvenation of the trees, so too, Matan Torah should be a newness, a rejuvenation amongst everyone.

Why do elephants not knock down a circus tent? Why didn't Bnei Yisrael wage battle against Mitzrayim?

Because they both thought that there was no way they would win.

Yehoshua takes center stage here and later on in Parshas Shelach. What is the common theme throughout? What is the common thread?

Just because Bnei Yisrael was leaving Mitzrayim didn't mean they could be confident that they didn't need to prepare for war. A person must abide by what circumstances dictate and not rely on a miracle.

Bnei Yisrael kept their names, clothes, and language while in Mitzrayim. If so, why did they need more merits to leave? Why add Korban Pesach and Bris Milah? The answer tells us a fundamental part of being Yidden.