Understanding the Parsha according to the Rebbe
QUESTION: What is the spiritual meaning of the Clouds of Glory?
ANSWER: We all live in a “desert”, a world not conducive to spiritual activities, filled with obstacles. The Clouds of Glory represent the spiritual ability to apply the “blunt force” of mesiras nefesh within our world to overcome the obstacles (as the clouds did in the desert). This ability is exemplified by the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe. (לקוטי שיחות כרך ב, עמ' 333 )
QUESTION: What do we learn from the lesson of the Parah Adumah that makes tahor a tamei person while at the same time makes tamei a tahor person?
ANSWER: Even though we cannot understand this Mitzvah (even King Shlomo could not understand), we can gain some insight. Tumah represents death, which is the opposite of holiness, life. The ashes of the Parah HaAdumah are from a level of G-dliness which transcends limitations and thus can overcome tumah of death. The tahor person that serves as the means to bring down this ability must exercise mesiras nefesh to achieve this goal. The mesiras nefesh is exhibited by the tahor person not refraining from become tamei in order to assist another to become tahor. (לקוטי שיחות כרך ד , עמ' 1056)
QUESTION: Why didn’t Moshe teach us the meaning of the Mitzvah of Parah Adumah like he did with other Mitzvos?
ANSWER: Moshe was given an understanding by HaShem that a reason for this Chok was not in this world. This mitzvah is called Chukas HaTorah to teach an important lesson. This one mitzvah could not be understood by any person; exemplifies the concept that all Mitzvos must be accepted as decrees from HaShem. (לקוטי שיחות כרך יח, עמ' 229)
QUESTION: Of the many miracles that occurred to the Jews in the desert, why did they only twice say Shirah as a recognition of those two miracles?
ANSWER: The miracles at Arnon prompted a song of praise since HaShem eliminated the enemy without the Jews having to fight at all, like at the Reed Sea. The love shown by HaShem fighting on behalf of the Jews without their involvement awakened within the Jews a deep feeling of connection and thanksgiving that they expressed through singing Shirah. (לקוטי שיחות כרך כג, עמ' 481)
QUESTION: How do we understand the two explanations of Rashi on the words דרך האתרים (כא, א)?
ANSWER: Rashi is explaining the two methods in countering the influence of Amalek. One approach is the way the Spies that counseled reason and intellect. The second approach is the way of the Aron which using a method of mesiras nefesh, which knows no limits, to “flatten” the opposition. (לקוטי שיחות כרך לח, עמ' 78 )
BEN CHAMESH L’MIKRA בס"ד
- הענינים מלקו"ש השבועי ועוד -
נשמת אפרים לע"נ ר' אפרים ב"ר אברהם ע"ה האפמאן
▪ Resource to encourage the study of the Rebbe’s sichos ▪
Designed for use in the classroom or at the Shabbos Table
