Click here for a printable version.
In this week’s Torah portion, Ki Siso, Moshe prays that Hashem forgive the Jewish people. G-d tells him that[1] “I will let all My goodness pass before you; I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you, and I will favor those whom I wish to favor …”
Rashi explains that[2] “The time has come that you will see some of My glory that I will permit you to see because I want and I need to teach you the order of prayer ... I will (therefore) let all the attributes of My goodness pass before you while you are hidden in a cave. I will proclaim the name of the Lord before youto teach you the procedure of begging for compassion (i.e., praying). According to this procedure, (during) which you (will) see Me enwrapped (in a Tallis) and proclaiming the Thirteen Attributes (of Mercy), teach the Jews to do likewise.”
Following this, Hashem says that[3] “Then I will remove My hand, and you will see My back, but My face shall not be seen.” Rashi cites the words that “You will see my back” and explains that Hashem “showed him the knot of (His) Tefillin.” What is the significance of Hashem showing Moshe His Tallis and the knot of His Tefillin?
It is the nature of every Jew to believe that[4] “In the beginning, Hashem created the heaven and the earth.” Furthermore, it is inherent of every Jew to believe that G-d is creating the world every moment. This being the case, how is it possible for a Jew to ever sin? The answer is that it is only possible if this “slips his mind” temporarily.
What does that have to do with a Tallis and Tzitzis – Fringes[5]? The answer is that both help us remember all of Hashem’s commandments. Regarding Tzitzis, it says,[6] “and when you see it, you will remember all of the commandments of the Lord to perform them.” Furthermore, it says,[7] “So that you remember and perform all of my commandments.”
Regarding Tefillin, it says,[8] “It shall be to you as a sign upon your hand and as a remembrance between your eyes.” Once the Tallis and the Tefillin remove the sin’s cause, the forgetfulness, they also remove the wrongs, and Hashem forgives the Jewish Nation.
Let us pray that Hashem forgives our sins and brings the Redemption now!
I wish one and all a good Shabbos and a Kosher Pesach!
Rabbi Shmuel Mendelsohn
DEDICATED IN HONOR OF THE LUBAVITCHER REBBE
מוקדש לזכות כ”ק אדמו”ר נשיא דורנו מליובאוויטש
IN HONOR OF
The Soldiers of Tzivos Hashem Chaim and Aiden Oded שיחיו Morris
DEDICATED BY THEIR PARENTS
Rabbi & Mrs. Menachem M. and Chaya Mushka שיחיו Morris
לזכות
חיילי “צבאות השם” חיים ועדן עודד שיחיו מאריס
נדפס ע”י הוריהם
הרה”ת ר’ מנחם מענדל וזוגתו מרת חי’ מושקא שיחיו מאריס
DEDICATED BY MR. RAZIEL שיחי’ GATES
[1]. Our Parshah, Shemos 33:19.
[2]. See Rashi’s comments to Our Parshah, Shemos 33:19.
[3]. Our Parshah, Shemos 33:23.
[4]. Parshah Bereishis, Bereishis 1:1.
[5]. Parshas Shelach, Bamidbar 15:37 – 41.
[6]. Ibid, Bamidbar 15:39.
[7]. Ibid, Bamidbar 15:40.
[8]. Parshas Bo, Shemos 13:9.
The Rebbe Teaches Rashi 