Parshat Bereshit
- Rabbi Evan Shore
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
Dear STOCS Friend:
In memory of my dear beloved wife Devorah Laya bas Rachmiel Yitzchok Halevi.
Her third yahrzeit is this Shabbas.
With all of Klal Yisroel beginning the Torah again from Braishis, the following question comes up: If Hashem is infinite, how is He able to fit in our universe? The Midrash explains that God engaged in a tzimtzum, contraction, thereby He has the “ability” to fit in the universe. Rav Soloveitchek points out that this tzimtzum was for the sake of the human being. Our task as Am Yisroel, the Rav says” is to bring the Divine Presence down to our world. Thus, enabling the human being, the ability to reside together with the Creator in this world.”
The road to successfully accomplish this is through the observance of the mitzvot specified in the Torah. There are 613 Biblical mitzvot and 7 Rabbinic commandments. The role of these commandments is to refine the Jew and bring him or her closer to Hashem.
Rabbi Chaim Kramer asks a question many of us have wondered: Why are there so many mitzvot? His answer is both simple and profound “because with so many mitzvot, it is always possible to be engaged in one.” The abundance of mitzvot should not be viewed as a burden or a yoke, but rather as a gift an ever-present opportunity. In nearly every moment of our day, and at every stage of our lives, a mitzvah awaits us. Each time we embrace that opportunity, we draw a little closer to the Creator of the world.
I look forward to seeing you on Shabbat!
Hamas: Let their bodies come home!
Rabbi Evan Shore
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