As Heard From Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Moshe Rabeinu was the greatest man to ever walk the face of this earth. This greatness was dependent on the piety of Bnei Yisrael. When the sin of the Golden Calf is committed, Hashem orders Moshe to “Go down, for the People whom you have brought out of Egypt have become corrupt.” Since the greatness of Bnei Yisrael was mitigated by committing a sin, so was Moshe’s greatness lessened. His greatness is resulting from the elevated holiness of the Jewish Nation.

Now Hashem tells Moshe “Let Me alone” and I will destroy them. Which means “Don’t let ME alone” and continue to intercede on behalf of the people. Moshe is successful in his prayers and Hashem rescinds the decree.

At this point, after pleading for the lives of his people with his back to the wall, Moshe feels it is a moment for great opportunity. Moshe asks Hashem 1) to rest His Presence upon Yisrael 2) not to rest His Presence upon the nations 3) that he be made known the ways of Hashem.

And Hashem granted all three requests. (Berachot 7A)

We can learn from Moshe that even through we think that we are in low and weak position emotionally, financially or spiritually, this can be an excellent opportunity for us to shoot high ask for what you need and count on Hashem. He is our loving Father who is just wanting and hoping and prodding us to call out and just ask.

Shabbat Shalom

As Heard From Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“And I shall meet there with the Sons of Israel and it shall be sanctified by My Glory.” (29:43)

The Glory (Kavod) is the manifestation of Hashem’s Presence which causes men to have more Awareness of Him. This Awareness is the purpose of the Mishkan and the holiness of the Mishkan (”it shall be sanctified”) is due to its function of creating Knowledge or Awareness of Hashem (”by My Glory”).

“The heavens relate the Glory of G-d,” (Tehillim 19:2) for by viewing the sun and all of the marvels of nature we gain more Awareness of the Creator, which is His glory.

“And in the morning when you shall see the glory of Hashem” (16:7), which was fulfilled when the Mann came down in the morning thus causing Awareness of the Power and Kindliness of Hashem, “Goodlo V’tuvo.”

“The whole earth is full of His glory” (Yeshaya 6:3), because “All Your works praise You…They speak of the glory of Your majesty,” (Tehillim 145:10) for all the phenomena cause Awareness of Hashem and are therefore His glory.

The man that meditates on the testimony of the phenomena and gains more Awareness of Hashem, (Yirat Shamayim), thereby renders Glory to Hashem.

Quoted from “A Nation is Born” by Rabbi Avider Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom

As Heard From Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“And they shall make for Me a Mikdash, and I shall dwell in their midst.” (25:8)

The subject of the building of the Sanctuary occupies more space in the Torah than any other matter. It is described repeatedly in all of its minute details and yet the Mishkan did not continue for more than 39 years. And so, why does the Torah devote so much space to a passing phase of history which lasted such a short time?

The purpose of the Mishkan is clearly stated “And I shall dwell…And they shall know that I am Hashem their G-d that took them forth from the land of Egypt so that I dwell in their midst.”

The Mishkan was the means of imparting the True Knowledge, ‘Daat Hashem’, Sensory Perception. These are the vehicles we use to gain the objective of life, ‘Yirat Hashem’ which is Awareness of Hashem’s presence, greatness/power and kindliness which fill the world. “His greatness (gudlo) and His goodness (tuvo) fills the world.”

When the Jews in the desert would see Moshe’s tent they would point and say “Moshe Rabenu lives right there.” And when they saw Aharon’s tent they told there children “Aharon Hacohen lives over there.”

When they passed by the Mishkan they all said “Hashem lives there.” By gaining this ‘Emunah Chusheet’, Sensory Awareness of Hashem, they achieved the highest level of perfection and became the Greatest Generation of all time.

We have the opportunity to gain this Awareness in our prayers three times each day. When we say “You” (Hashem) about 100 times in the Amidah, paint the picture in your mind that you are standing in front of The King of Kings, your Father who loves you and can do everything for you.

Shabbat Shalom

As Heard From Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“And if a man persuade a virgin…” (22:15)

“Persuade” is expressed by Y’Fateh which means “to open wide.” The persuader “opens” the mind of the persuaded one to listen and to accept the persuasion, but men must close their minds to the evil ones and they should open their minds solely to the words of the righteous.

Our minds are our most precious possession, and therefore we should keep our minds tightly closed against the persuasions of the materialists and other sinners. “More than anything that you guard, guard your heart (’heart’ means ‘mind’ ) Mishle 4:23

Quoted from ‘A Nation Is Born’ by Rabbi Avigdor Miller

The Rabbi would use the following example to clarify this principle of guarding our minds. The Brinks truck, full with money, pulls up to the bank to make the deposit. It stops and four armed security men pounce out on all sides with their guns drawn to protect the valuable cargo.

From this we can learn that if the bank is so careful with their money that they hire armed men to guard it, then how much more careful should we be with what we allow to enter our minds. Our Minds is all we have. It is who we are. It is our essence.

Abraham Abinu taught us this principle as the Pasuk says “And he lifted his eyes and he saw (three men…),” The language of the Pasuk is seems redundant, “lifted his eyes” & “he saw.” Either one phrase or the other could have been used. But both are used to tell us that Abraham always “lifted his eyes” to ‘preview’ whether or not he was going to allow himself to ‘look’ at this and allow it to enter his mind.

This was how Abraham was teaching us, his children, the most fundamental principle of guarding our minds.

Shabbat Shalom

As Heard From Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

The Giving of the Torah at Har Sinai signified the fulfillment of the purpose of Hashem’s Creation of the world. It is the Jewish Nation’s acceptance of Hashem’s Commandments which merits the world to continue to exist.

“I AM HASHEM YOUR G-D” are the first words said by Hashem to the Bnei Yisrael at Har Sinai heard by at least two and a half million people. “Hashem” contains many meanings, all which are based on the word “Hayah” (”to be”). He exits, and His existence is the only true existence. (Rambam) Everything else exists solely because Hashem wills their existence. Nothing except Hashem has true existence. Hashem causes all existence hence He is the “Mehave,” He causes things to be.

“Bidvar Hashem Shamayim Naasu,” “With the Word of Hashem the Heavens were created.” David Hamelech is teaching us that Hashem created the world with His Word, ‘YEHI’-let it be. From this we see that this whole world is only “the Word and Will of Hashem.” So, the next time we are walking in the street and we see a tree, stop and think. Since we know that all existence is only by the will of The Exister, Hashem, than we can say that ‘this tree is not a tree at all, it is only “the Word of Hashem.” In this way we will gain ‘Emunah Chushit’, a sensory awareness of Hakadosh Baruch Hu. As Shelomo Hamelech said “Yirat Hashem He Chochmah.” “Gaining Awareness of Hashem this is Wisdom.”

Shabbat Shalom

Shabbat Shira

As Heard From Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Every year we read The Song of the Sea, Shirat Hayam, from the Torah in Parshat Beshalach. We also read it on the seventh day of Pesach. And we say it every day in our prayers. The more often we are required to do something, the more important it is for us to gain its lessons.

The most fundamental lesson that the Torah teaches us is to refine our Jewish trait of Gratitude. In fact, we are called Jews which is derived from the word ‘Yehudi’ which means ‘to thank.’ Our function is to be grateful and to thank Hashem for all of the kindliness He bestows on us presently and throughout our history.

And so, we read The Song of the Sea often and relive one of the most stupendous spectacles in history when Hashem split The Sea and rescued His People. This caused an outpouring of gratitude and singing to Hashem. “Then would sing Moshe and the Bnai Yisrael.”

“A horse and a rider He cast into the sea.” This was another cause for a great feeling of our gratitude to Hashem. Since the ‘Sea’ which threatened Israel’s existence (their backs were to the Sea with the Egyptians closing in), drowned their enemy and rescued Israel from Egypt and it now washed upon the shore a huge booty of wealth.

Hashem had instilled in us the great awareness and serenity which is Bitachon in Hashem. By demonstrating that Hashem is in control and that He can turn our foe, the Sea, into our friend who destroys our enemy, the Egyptians.

Shabbat Shalom

As Heard From Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“Rejoice you righteous in Hashem, and give thanks & praise to His Holy name.” (Tehillim)

How can we rejoice “in Hashem?” By rejoicing in all the things that Hashem is giving us. Remind yourself that they are from Hashem.

When you sit to eat, rejoice in the knowledge that Hashem is giving you pleasure. It is a pleasure to eat! Hashem makes food taste good. He gives you the food and it tastes good. It is His will that we enjoy the food. As soon as you see and smell the food your stomach juices flow. Hashem wants you to be happy! It is a Mitzvah to enjoy the food. Just think that Hashem is giving it to you.

It is a Mitzvah to get pleasure from all the gifts of life including air, sleep, food, water, sunlight…Just add the intention “that Hashem gave it to me.” If you thank Hashem in this world and enjoy His gifts then you will acquire this world and the next world.

Turn that pleasure into a Mitzvah by focusing on the fact that Hashem is giving you that great gift. Train yourself to say, “Thank You Hashem!” It can transform your everyday acts into millions of Mitzvot.

Chag Sameyach!

As Heard From Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“In order that our generations should know that in tabernacles I caused the sons of Israel to dwell when I took them forth from the Land of Egypt; I Am Hashem Your G-D.” (23:43)

The Torah here teaches what one should think when he is in the Succah. In the Wilderness our fathers had no walled cities in which to find protection from the many potential predators. Our fathers possessed great wealth that they had taken from Egypt, and all the nations would have attempted to attack Israel to seize this wealth. But despite the fact that our fathers possessed no fortifications or walls, yet in their flimsy tabernacles of cloth and straw, they were more secure during these forty years than at any subsequent time in their history.

The only true security is Hashem: that is the lesson of Succoth.

The Feast of Tabernacles reminds us of the miracles wrought in the Wilderness: (RMBM, Moreh Nevuchim 3:43). Even where food and water are not available, yet a nation of millions was sustained for 40 years, and this teaches the same lesson that it is solely Hashem that sustains the living. “For He conceals me in His Succah in the day of evil; He hides me in the covert of His tent.” (Tehillim 27:5) “The greatest of the miracles described in the Torah is the sojourn of the sons of Israel for forty years, with a daily supply of Mann.” (Moreh Nevuchim 3:50) Never afterward was Israel or anyone so privileged with secure provision of their sustenance.

With this superlative purpose in mind we enter the Succah and endeavor to gain more of this Knowledge, that Hashem alone is our Succah and our sole Protection in all matters, forever and in both worlds.

Quoted from “A Kingdom of Cohanim” by Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Chag Sameyach!

As Heard From Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

1) The main Avoda of the Judgement Day is focusing on “Hashem Melech.” That Hashem created the universe and He runs it all. He is the only one that has any power and only He can do anything for us.

EMUNAH is what we are working on gaining clarity for Rosh Hashanah. Rambam: “I am Hashem your G-d” (10 Commandments”) this is the Mitzvah to gain Awareness and Belief in Hashem. This is most Fundamental and supercedes even admitting our sins (which we don’t do) in front of the Heavenly court.

2) The great purpose in life, to constantly improve, is something that Hashem is urging us and weighing.

“Hashem imparts wisdom to the wise person” (not the jester) because He sees that this wise person will make the best use of this gift. So, we want to put ourselves in this position for the Great Day of Judgment, Yom Hadeen.

“Asher Bara Elokim Laasot,” “That Hashem created to do.”

The words ‘to do’ seem superfluous since it was already stated that “Hashem rested from all of the work that He did.” R’ Miller ZT”L explains that the words “to do” come to teach us the great purpose of life, to be a doer, to make something out of ourselves through constant improvement.

Hashem, our Father, Avinu Malkenu, is waiting on Rosh Hashana to hear our commitment to improve. We can say, “Hashem, we are going to utilize the coming year to love and fear Hashem. To do everything to serve Hashem. I am going to make something out of myself.”

When Hashem hears our commitment for the New Year He says: “My child, I see that you are committing to improvement, I commit to giving you another year of life and blessing.”

“Hashem imparts wisdom to the wise.”

Tizku Leshanim Rabot