Acharei Mot-Kedoshim 5773-2013
"The Sanctity of The Holy of Holies"
What is the role, function and mystique of the “Holy of Holies?”
0 Comments10 Minutes
Tazria-Metzorah 5773-2013
"Ritual Impurity and Tzaraat: A Contemporary Understanding"
The Biblical texts of parashiot Tazria and Metzorah seem quite foreign to contemporary thinkers. It is possible, however, to interpret the challenging concepts reflected in these parashiot in a more contemporary light and in a manner that may be more palatable to modern thinkers.
0 Comments9 Minutes
Shemini 5773-2013
“Authentic Religious Ecstasy”
Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik suggests that Aaron’s sons, Nadav and Abihu, were judged more harshly because they were in positions of leadership and punished more severely because they attempted to experience religious ecstasy through prohibited means.
0 Comments9 Minutes
Passover II 5773-2013
“The Final Days of Passover: A Call For Modesty in Jewish Life”
When Moses and the people of Israel sang praises to G-d as they crossed the Red Sea, the Al-mighty chose to embrace the Israelites and betroth them despite the fact that they were wretched and filthy from the enslavement in Egypt.
0 Comments9 Minutes
Passover 5773-2013
“Remembering the Exodus From Egypt”
The phrase “to remember the Exodus from Egypt” seems to appear everywhere one looks in Jewish life. Remembering the Exodus from Egypt is indeed a fundamental principle of Jewish life with abundant implications and ramifications.
0 Comments14 Minutes
Vayikra 5773-2013
"Achieving Spiritual Ascendance Through Sacrifice"
Why do Jewish children begin their study of Torah with the complicated laws of sacrifice? What is ultimately achieved by the bringing of animal sacrifices?
0 Comments6 Minutes
Vayakhel-Pekudei 5773-2013
"The Jewish Connection"
The minutely detailed architectural plans of the Tabernacle and the precise designs of the priestly vestments underscore the interconnectedness of all the vessels and vestments. Interconnectedness is a vital feature of human life, and a most profound element of the Jewish religion.
0 Comments11 Minutes
Kee Tisah 5773-2013
“The Vengeful G-d--Revisited”
The last of the 13 Attributes of G-d’s mercy is that G-d will not completely cleanse sinners. Is the G-d of the Hebrew Bible a “vengeful G-d”?
0 Comments9 Minutes
Tetzaveh 5773-2013
"The Centrality of Light"
Why does the commandment of lighting the candles appear at the beginning of this week’s parasha, rather than after the completion of the building of the Mishkan and the placement of the utensils?
0 Comments9 Minutes
Terumah 5773-2013
"Form Over Content, or Content Over Form?"
Why did Moses change G-d’s instructions and direct Bezalel to first build the furnishings and vessels of the Tabernacle, and only then build the Tabernacle structure?
0 Comments8 Minutes
Mishpatim 5773-2013
“Judaism’s Take on ‘Majority Rules’”
Parashat Mishpatim serves as the basis of much of Jewish jurisprudence. Many fundamental and revolutionary judicial principles (including “majority rules”) that have influenced legal systems the world over are introduced in this week’s parasha.
0 Comments9 Minutes
Yitro 5773-2013
"The Third Commandment: Against Perjury and Profane Swearing"
The third commandment against perjury and profane swearing is often dismissed as “small stuff,” especially when compared to the "big-time" prohibitions against idolatry, adultery and murder. In reality, the third commandment is a key element in Judaism’s efforts to attain a truly moral, ethical and beneficial way of life.
0 Comments11 Minutes
B’shalach 5773-2013
Why Israel Lost Faith at the Red Sea
A small verse, describing the Israelites’ panic at seeing the approaching Egyptian troops, reveals many significant lessons that help explain why Israel lost faith at the Red Sea.
0 Comments7 Minutes
Bo 5773-2013
"Interfacing with the Non-Jewish World"
Moses boldly tells Pharaoh that not only will the Israelites not leave their flocks behind in Egypt when they depart, but that Pharaoh himself will donate flocks that will be used by the Israelites in their worship in the wilderness. This declaration raises many thorny issues about the use of non-Jewish resources in Jewish life.
0 Comments12 Minutes
Va’eira 5773-2013
"The ‘Outstretched Arm’ and the ‘Mighty Hand’"
Why does the Al-mighty rescue Israel with both an “outstretched arm” and a “mighty hand”?
0 Comments9 Minutes
Shemot 5773-2012
The Role of Exile in Jewish History
What is the role that Galut--exile--plays in the history of the Jewish people?
0 Comments15 Minutes
Vayechi 5773-2012
“The Patriarch Jacob Did Not Die!”
The word “va’yah’maht”--and he died--is not mentioned regarding Jacob’s passing, whereas at the passing of both Abraham and Isaac, the Hebrew word for death is mentioned. Consequently, our rabbis, of blessed memory, maintain that this implies that our father Jacob did not die. Just as Jacob’s descendants live on, so does Jacob.
0 Comments7 Minutes
Vayigash 5773-2012
"Is My Father Still Alive?"
From his own childhood experience of studying the story of Joseph and his brethren, Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik teaches a most profound lesson about appreciating parents, and cherishing their spiritual legacy.
0 Comments13 Minutes
Mikeitz 5773-2012
"Two Long Years in Joseph’s Life"
The commentators are puzzled by the delay of two years from the time that Joseph interpreted the butler’s and the baker’s dreams, until he is called to interpret Pharaoh’s dream.
0 Comments9 Minutes
Vayeishev 5773-2012
“Heaven-Sent Spices”
A seemingly simple verse about Joseph’s brothers sitting down to eat bread, and seeing an Ishmaelite caravan from afar, proves to be a treasure-trove of insights into human nature that has broad and far-reaching implications.
0 Comments8 Minutes
Vayishlach 5773-2012
"Gid Ha’nasheh: The Sinew of the Thigh"
Why are Jews forbidden to eat "Gid Ha’nasheh,” the sinew of the thigh?
0 Comments8 Minutes
Vayeitzei 5773-2012
"The Complex Relationship Between Jacob, Rachel and Leah"
Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik sheds some light on the complex relationship between Jacob, Rachel and Leah.
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Toledot 5773-2012
"The Sale of the Birthright"
What really took place at the sale of the birthright? The Midrash fills in the many edifying details.
0 Comments11 Minutes
Chayei Sarah 5773-2012
"Beware Not to Return My Son There!"
Why was Abraham so adamant about not allowing his servant, Eliezer, to take Abraham’s son, Isaac, out of the land of Israel to look for an appropriate mate?
0 Comments11 Minutes
Vayeira 5773-2012
“Seeking Advice From a Good Friend”
Why does the great man of faith, Abraham, first consult with his Amorite compatriots, Aner, Eshkol and Mamre, about proceeding with his circumcision, rather than immediately fulfill G-d’s command?
0 Comments9 Minutes
Lech Lecha 5773-2012
"To the Land that I Will Show You"
Why does the Al-mighty direct Abram to leave his home in Ur Kasdim and go to the land that “He will show him,” rather than specifically instruct Abram to go to the land of Canaan?
0 Comments10 Minutes
Noah 5773-2012
"The Power of Unity"
Why was the generation of the flood punished more harshly than those who built the Tower of Babel?
0 Comments9 Minutes
Bereshith 5773-2012
“What is Heaven?”
Even though it is never recorded that G-d said, “Let there be heaven and earth,” we are told that “In the beginning, G-d created the heavens and the earth.” Where and when did heaven and earth appear? Did heaven and earth always exist, or perhaps, was heaven created on the second day together with the water?
0 Comments8 Minutes
Haazinu-Sukkot 5773-2012
"Yom Kippur: A Prelude to the Festival of Sukkot"
The four days between Yom Kippur and the festival of Sukkot are important transitional days. As often occurs, the parasha that precedes or follows a Jewish holiday dovetails thematically with the upcoming or recently passed festival. This week’s parasha, Haazinu, is no exception, confirming Yom Kippur as a most meaningful prelude to Sukkot.
0 Comments9 Minutes
Vayeilech-Yom Kippur 5773-2012
“The Limits of Free Will”
During the period of the Ten Days of Penitence, and especially with the imminent arrival of Yom Kippur, it is most appropriate to inquire about the limits of human free will.
0 Comments15 Minutes