D'var Torah: "Whenever the ark would journey, Moshe would say, "Arise, HaShem, and may Your enemies be scattered, and may those who hate You flee from You" (Bamidbar 10:35). Rabbi Shimeon bar Yochai revealed in the holy Zohar, "When we take out the Torah to read before the congregation, the gates of Divine compassion are opened and HaShem's love is awakened for Klal Yisrael. Therefore, it is a favorable time to pray." However, when holiness is aroused, opposing forces attempt to interfere. Therefore, before we open the ark, we ask HaShem "to scatter the enemies." That is, we ask HaShem to neutralize the negative forces so that our prayers will be accepted.
Moral: The holy Torah prevails over the adverse forces that arise when the ark is opened. Therefore, we pray at the auspicious time when the Torah is removed from the ark, "May HaShem open our hearts to understand the Torah. And may HaShem answer our prayers and the prayers of all Your people, Yisrael, for good, for life and for peace."
Application: Whenever you feel challenged by negativity, envision the holy ark journeying forward. Imagine Moshe Rabenu praying for you and saying, ""Arise, HaShem, and may Your enemies be scattered, and may those who hate You flee from You." Be strong in your faith that HaShem will intervene, and He will answer all of your prayers, for good, for life, and for peace!
(Based on the commentary of Rav Yoseph Chain Zonenfeld)
