2023

“The ‘Sacrifice’ that Lasts Forever”
(updated and revised from Vayikra 5765-2005)

Much of the Book of Leviticus, especially parashat Vayikra, deals with the rites and rituals of animal sacrifice. Sacrifice, however, does not only mean the sacrifice of animal offerings in the Tabernacle, it also means the Jew’s preparedness to do everything that is necessary to guarantee that Jewish children are given proper Jewish educations, thus ensuring a bright Jewish future.

“Celebrating the Month of Nissan”
(updated and revised from Vayakhel-Pekudei 5764-2004)

The Jewish month of Nissan, the first month that was celebrated by the Israelites after the birth of the Jewish nation, is heralded each year by an additional reading from the Torah on Shabbat HaChodesh. This special Shabbat serves as a reminder for the Jewish people that G-d grants His people solace in times of grief, support in the face of challenge, and light in the darkest of hours. The month of Nissan signals that redemption and renewal are at hand, and will soon blossom forth.

“The Story of Esther--Making Choices for Jewish Destiny”
(updated and revised from Kee Tisah 5762-2002)

Summary: When Esther receives the report that Mordechai is leading a great mourning and wailing, she is thrown into a panic. Some commentators regard Esther's reaction as a personal failure on the Queen's part to rise to the challenge. In effect, Esther responds to Mordechai's appeal by saying, "Do you expect me to risk my life and compromise my lofty position in the Persian Empire for the Jewish people?" Fortunately, Mordechai's response to Esther strikes a sensitive chord. Despite her initial reluctance, Esther redeems herself, fulfills her mission brilliantly, and goes on to become one of the great heroic figures of Jewish history.

“Keeping the Priests Humble”
(updated and revised from Tetzaveh 5764-2004)

The priestly garments, and the detailed descriptions of the garments in the Torah, reflect lives that are expected to be thoroughly devoted to the service of G-d. While their vestments are royal and holy, they are, in essence, quite humbling, connoting accountability and responsibility. The sanctity and complexity of the priestly garments, reveal the multifaceted nature of the priests' lives, that are at once privileged, and charged with awesome responsibility.

“Identifying the Essentials of Life”
(updated and revised from Terumah 5765-2005)

Moses Mendelssohn, the German-Jewish philosopher, identifies three basic elements of workmanship that are employed in the building of the Tabernacle: essential arts, useful arts and ornamental arts. These categories are important in order to properly identify the labors of humankind and to ascribe proper value to them. Their identity also helps us discern which skills and arts are useful and essential, and those that may lead to overindulgence.

“The Al-mighty’s Concern for the Dignity of the Human Being”
(updated and revised from Mishpatim 5764-2004)

The Torah teaches that a person who steals an ox or a sheep and then slaughters or sells the stolen animal, must pay the value of five oxen in place of the ox, and four sheep in place of the sheep. Why is there such a stiff penalty for stealing these particular animals, and why is there a greater penalty for the theft of an ox as opposed to a sheep?

“Why G-d Can Not Share the Limelight.”
(updated and revised from Yitro 5764-2004)

G-d chose to speak directly to the People of Israel when He pronounced the first two statements of the Ten Commandments. These two directives set a path of exclusive monotheistic worship for the Jewish people. These words also established a foundation of moral absolutes in the world, as well as a demand for the practice of ethical behavior expected of all humanity, who are created in G-d's image.

“The Malbim Teaches the Lessons of the Manna”
(updated and revised from B’shalach 5764-2004)

From the life of the Malbim, the great 19th century Torah commentator, as well as from his brilliant and intricate explication of the "manna," the heavenly bread, that the Jewish people were given to eat in the wilderness, we find reminders of G-d's constant support. Sustenance is always sent from the Al-mighty, whether it overtly rains down from heaven as it did for the ancient Israelites, or appears in a more subtle manner.

“The Subtle Secrets of the 10 Plagues”
(updated and revised from Bo 5763-2003)

Nothing in the Torah is arbitrary. Everything is well thought out and is there for a purpose. The Divine accounting system often operates on the basis of midah kineged midah, that no act is ever unaccounted for, no good deed is ever uncompensated, and no evil deed ever goes unpunished. A careful study of the Ten Plagues with which the Egyptians were struck, uncovers an purposeful sense of balance, underscoring how the plagues were direct retribution for specific acts of persecution that the Egyptians visited upon the Israelite slaves.

“The Exodus--A ‘Primitive’ Story with Revolutionary Implications”
(updated and revised from Va’eira 5763-2002)

Jewish history is often perceived, with great justification, as one unending series of tragedies, pogroms, expulsions, inquisitions, crusades, destructions, exiles, and ultimately--holocausts. Even a cursory review of the Jewish calendar confirms this dark perspective. In truth, this perception is incorrect. Jewish history is really one unending series of moral, educational, and ethical triumphs and victories, but we fail to perceive it. We often fail to recognize the untold revolutionary contributions that Judaism has made to humanity. When we study the traditions of Judaism in depth, particularly the traditions of Passover, we see that we have much of which to be proud. We must let the world know about it.

“How Important is Timing?”
(updated and revised from Vayechi 5763-2002)

When blessing his children, Jacob says of Reuben that he has all the natural advantages of the firstborn child in rank and in power. Jacob then retreats suddenly, declaring that Reuben is impetuous like water and therefore cannot be the foremost. As we study the actions, deeds and words of Reuben, we find a good person--good-hearted and well-intentioned. Reuben is always ready to do the right thing. Unfortunately, his timing is off, intending to do the right thing, but, unfortunately, at the wrong time. As important as actions and words are, timing is just as critical.