Maavir Sedrah
Rebbe Mendel of Kotzk zy'a said that on Simchas Torah we don't only celebrate the finishing of the Torah, we also rejoice in the starting of the Torah once again.
Based on this, Shabbos Bereishis is an ideal time to encourage fellow Yidden to learn the parashah each week of the year and to be maavir sidra.
The Shulchan Aruch (285:2) states, "Although one listens to the Torah reading each week, one is obligated to read the parashah himself- twice the parashah and once targum Unkelus. The yirei shamayim also read Rashi's commentary and also the targum."
There are many segulos in being maavir sidra:
- The Gemara (Brachos 8) says, "Whoever is maavir sidra, his days and years are increased."
- The Beis Ahron zt'l teaches that from being maavir sidra, we receive our chiyus (vitality) for all our needs for the entire week.
- The Or LaShamayim said that cutting nails and being maavir sidra on Friday morning before chatzos (noon) guarantees one will not commit severe sins the following week.
- The Chidushei HaRim, the Sar Shalom of Belz, and others said that those who review the parashah with Rashi each week will merit being in the yeshiva of Rashi in heaven.
Rebbe Yissacher Dov of Belz zt'l would study chumash with Rashi daily while wearing his Rabbeinu Tam tefillin.
Reviewing the parashah with Rashi is mesugal for yiras shamayim. Rebbe Mordechai of Nadvorna zt'l once tested the bachurim in the Arugas HaBosem's yeshiva. After the test, the Rebbe told the Arugas HaBosem, "They are excellent bachurim, but if they were maavir sidra, they would have even more yiras shamayim."
Rebbe Pinchas of Koritz zt'l (Imrei Pinchas, Torah 38-39) said that learning Chumash with Rashi is mesugal for having emunah. He sent messengers to the Jewish communities, telling them to learn Chumash Rashi well. He explained that this would protect them from the Heidemaks. He explained that since they are raging a religious war (because they only killed the Yidden who didn't convert to Christianity), being firm in one’s emunah will overcome them, and emunah is attained through studying Chumash with Rashi.
A Yid from Bnei Brak related that his childhood friend was niftar young (at nineteen years old). He saw his friend in his dreams, and his friend told him that since he died young, he wasn't judged for his sins (see Rashi, Bereishis 23:1). He also revealed that Rashi came to greet him, and he was immediately brought to Rashi's heichal (yeshiva) in heaven. He merited this because he would review Chumash with Rashi every week.
