The passuk in Mishlei (3:17) describes the Torah as follows: “Its ways are ways of pleasantness (Darchai Noam) and all its paths are peace”. The Torah is our guidebook for life. It is packed full of good advice as to how we should live our lives.
The aim of Darchai Noam is to examine an idea from the weekly parashah, usually relating to good middot (character traits). It will focus particularly on treating each other with respect and how to interact with each other in a more peaceful and pleasant manner. It will also suggest some practical tips for implementing these ideas in our daily lives.
By learning together regularly and making an effort to put the ideas into practice, with Hashem’s help we can all gradually improve our character traits and our observance of ‘v’ahavta l’re’echa kamocha’ – loving one’s fellow as oneself.
You are welcome to use the content of Darchai Noam in any way that will help to spread the learning of Torah. However please attribute credit appropriately.
Many of the ideas that I use in Darchai Noam are based on ideas that I read or heard from various sources. Where possible I try to quote the source. However, in some cases I cannot recall the source. For that I apologise. If I do discuss an idea that I heard from somewhere else, any errors are purely my own.
How can the Parsha help us grow this week?
Devarim – Other people’s money
This Shabbat we start reading Sefer Devarim, the final book of the Torah. That means that Elul is just around the corner, and Rosh Hashanah is not far behind. It is time to start considering our teshuva process. In addition, this Shabbat is erev Tisha B’Av. This is the culmination of the “Three Weeks” during which we should be focusing on improving our interpersonal relationships. Since baseless hatred led to the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash and the Bet Hamikdash has not yet been rebuilt, we have not yet overcome this negative trait. We can strive to improve this by treating others with unconditional love. Overall, this is a very opportune time for us to work on our middot. In that light, a lesson from this week’s Parsha may help us improve.
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Rabbi Allon Ledder
Rabbi Allon Ledder grew up in Sydney, Australia. He worked as a corporate lawyer in Sydney and Melbourne for 16 years. While working as a lawyer he received smicha from Rav Doniel Channen, Rav Aharon Schenkolewski, Rav Dovid Ostroff and Rav Zalman Nechemiah Goldberg. He lives with his family in Nof Ayalon, a yishuv near Modiin in Israel. Rabbi Ledder continues to learn and to teach Torah. He also practices Australian law at Warlows Legal.
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