Naso 5775-2015
“The Fine Nuances of Jealousy”
Even negative attributes, such as jealousy, have their redeeming moments.
0 Comments9 Minutes
Bamidbar 5775-2015
“Finding Value in Every Task”
The Torah and the commentators note that every Levite had a specific task in the Tabernacle. Apparently, it was necessary to convince the Levites who served in the Temple, that each task was of great importance. It is an important lesson that we today would do well to appreciate.
0 Comments9 Minutes
Behar-Bechukotai 5775-2015
“The Odd Conclusion to the Book of Leviticus”
Rabbi Dr. Hayyim Angel asks why the book of Leviticus ends with the Tochacha, G-d’s fearsome reproof of the Jewish people, and is followed by a series of instructions regarding the redemption of vows and tithes.
0 Comments7 Minutes
Emor 5775-2015
“Distractions, Distractions!”
Just as the ancient priests were bidden to singularly focus on their work in the Sanctuary, so too must all Jews today endeavor to focus on our peoples’ mission to become a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
0 Comments11 Minutes
Acharei Mot-Kedoshim 5775-2015
Having Thoughts About False Gods
The Torah strongly prohibits not only worshiping idols, but even giving credence to their existence. This seems to go against the broad perception of Judaism as an open-minded faith, that encourages intellectual inquiry.
0 Comments8 Minutes
Tazria-Metzorah-Yom Ha’atzmaut 5775-2015
“Finding the Silver Lining”
The ancient biblical affliction--Tzaraat, seems to convey the message that affliction and disease can at times be redemptive.
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Shemini-Yom HaShoah 5775-2015
“Yom HaShoah: Six Million–Minus One”
More than twenty years ago, Avi London wrote about being miraculously reunited with his long-lost sister who had been separated from her family for 50 years when she was a child in Nazi-occupied Poland.
0 Comments8 Minutes
Passover II 5775-2015
“The Final Days: Expressing Gratitude”
The final days of Passover celebrate the Israelites’ miraculous crossing of the sea. These festival days are meant to remind us that every Jew must strive to relive the miracle of the splitting of the sea every day, and express a full sense of gratitude to the Al-mighty.
0 Comments10 Minutes
Passover 5775-2015
“Learning to Revere G-d”
The Bet HaLevi explains why the Israelites gained a sense of “Yir’aht Shamayim,” reverence for Heaven, only when they saw the Egyptians drown at the sea, and not earlier when they beheld the Ten Plagues that struck the Egyptians in Egypt.
0 Comments8 Minutes
Tzav 5775-2015
“When Performing a Mitzvah Comes at a Significant Personal Cost”
The priests of old were profoundly challenged when they worked in the Tabernacle and Temple, since their service resulted in a significant loss of personal income.
0 Comments11 Minutes
Vayikra 5775-2015
“The Primacy of Independent Thinking”
From the example of the sin offering brought by the leaders of Israel who issue a mistaken ruling, we learn of the primacy of independent thinking in Jewish life.
0 Comments11 Minutes
Vayakhel-Pekudei 5775-2015
“Bringing Heaven Down To Earth”
The Biblical narrative describing the final erecting of the Tabernacle teaches that human beings can indeed build an earthly dwelling place for the Divine Presence, and they can even bring the Divine Presence down to earth.
0 Comments8 Minutes
Kee Tisah 5775-2015
“Aaron, What Did This People Do To You?”
The biblical narrative seems to portray Aaron as a collaborator with the people of Israel in the sinful worship of the Golden Calf. Actually, Moses and Aaron play a very delicate balancing act of leadership in order to prevent the people from total destruction for their wayward ways.
0 Comments9 Minutes
Tetzaveh 5775-2015
“The High Priest Wears the Names of Israel on His Heart”
The commentators suggest that while the priestly vestments serve to identify a priest, they also represent important ideas and messages that are reflected in the garments and have bearing on the priests’ actions and duties.
0 Comments9 Minutes
Terumah 5775-2015
“The Sanctity of the Synagogue”
The great devotion that was required when building the Mishkan, the Tabernacle, and, in later years, the construction of the Beit Hamikdash, the holy Temples in Jerusalem, applies also to the sanctity of contemporary synagogues and houses of study.
0 Comments8 Minutes
Mishpatim 5775-2015
“Injuring a Fellow Human Being”
In parashat Mishpatim the Torah introduces the fundamental rules regarding instances of personal injury. In many instances, these ancient rules are practiced today and form the basis of jurisprudence in many contemporary legal systems.
0 Comments8 Minutes
Yitro 5775-2015
“I Shall Come to You and Bless You”
There are many important lessons to be learned from the verse in parashat Yitro: “Wherever I cause My Name to be mentioned, I shall come to you and bless you.”
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B’shalach 5775-2015
“One Heart, as One Man”
Israel’s enemies have mastered the art of enmity. The most effective response to this enmity must be the unity of the People of Israel.
0 Comments9 Minutes
Bo 5775-2015
“The Intuitive Jew”
Since the thirst for the Al-mighty can never be fully sated, a Jew must strive to become an “Intuitive Jew.”
0 Comments7 Minutes
Va’eira 5775-2015
“The Measure of Brotherly Love”
Why does Scripture delve into the genealogy of Moses and Aaron with such detail?
0 Comments10 Minutes
Shemot 5775-2015
"Moses--The Mysterious Early Years"
The Torah narrative tells little about Moses’ formative years. Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov, the extraordinary commentator and compiler, fills in many of the details of Moses’ life by gathering Midrashim from many sources, reconciling them and reconstructing the early years of the life of Moses.
0 Comments6 Minutes
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