Shemini 5774-2014
“This is What the L-rd Meant When He Said”
What did Moses mean when he began his words of condolence to his bereaved brother, Aaron, with the enigmatic phrase, “Of this did the L-rd speak, saying.”
0 Comments11 Minutes
Pekudei 5774-2014
“Moses Retires from Center Stage”
Despite the superhuman efforts invested by Moses in the construction of the Tabernacle, Moses himself is prevented from entering the Tabernacle when the Divine cloud hovered over the Sanctuary.
0 Comments11 Minutes
Kee Tisah 5774-2014
“Moses Argues with G-d to Save the Jewish People from Destruction”
Moses’ argument with G-d to forgive the people for the sin of the Golden Calf serves as a paradigm for future petitions of the Al-mighty to forgive the sins of His people.
0 Comments9 Minutes
Yitro 5774-2014
“Jethro’s Blessing”
There is much that can be learned from Jethro’s blessing of G-d, when he first joined the People of Israel after their salvation from Egypt.
0 Comments8 Minutes
B’shalach 5774-2014
“Analysis of the ‘Shira,’ the Song of Moses Crossing the Sea”
What is the nature of the structure of the “Shira,” the song that Moses and the People of Israel sing as they cross the sea?
0 Comments12 Minutes
Bo 5774-2014
“In the Blink of an Eye”
Almost instantly, the status of the Jews in Egypt is transformed from that of vile enemy to respected friend, underscoring that salvation from G-d can occur in the blink of an eye.
0 Comments7 Minutes
Shemot 5774-2013
“G-d Recognizes His People's Sufferings”
What was it that G-d saw in the behavior of the People of Israel that caused the Al-mighty to respond to the people’s cries at this particular time?
0 Comments6 Minutes
Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5773-2013
"They’re Not Laughing At Me Anymore!"
In the spirit of the powerful message that Moses delivered to the Jewish people at the end of his life, regarding the validity of the traditional Jewish lifestyle, I would like to share an essay that I composed several years ago, “They’re Not Laughing At Me Anymore!”
0 Comments17 Minutes
Va’etchanan 5773-2013
"Behold the Beauty of the Land"
Moses pleads with G-d to allow him to enter the Promised Land to see the “good land,” the “good mountain” and “the Lebanon.” What exactly was Moses hoping to accomplish with this fervent plea?
0 Comments8 Minutes
Devarim 5773-2013
"The Price of Disunity"
Disunity among the people most often leads to a complete breakdown of society, an absence of moral awareness and concern, and, ultimately, to utter destruction.
0 Comments9 Minutes
Chukat 5773-2013
"Striking the Stone: the Parameters of Anger"
How lethal is anger? Moses and Aaron lost their opportunity to enter the Promised Land because of a single display of anger.
0 Comments12 Minutes
Korach 5773-2013
“The Rebellion Against the Lonely Leader”
What sparked the rebellion against Moses? Why was this great man the lonely leader of Israel?
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
Kee Tavo 5772-2012
“Persecution’s ‘Silver Lining’”
In G-d’s reproof of the Jewish people, He declares that even in exile the people will not find rest for the soles of their feet. Can persecution actually prove to be a blessing in disguise?
0 Comments11 Minutes
Devarim 5772-2012
"The Al-mighty’s Relationship with the Nations of the World"
As the People of Israel conclude their 40 year trek through the wilderness, they emerge as a triumphant nation, having defeated the most powerful nations in the world. Nevertheless, Moses tells them in G-d's name that they must zealously respect the rights and privileges of the other nations as well.
0 Comments13 Minutes
Pinchas 5772-2012
“Transferring Power”
Some of the commentators suggest that Joshua was not the only candidate to succeed Moses as leader. Some even suggest that Joshua was not even Moses’ first choice. Why then was he chosen?
0 Comments11 Minutes
Korach 5772-2012
"Jealousy, Lust, and Thirst for Honor"
There is a remarkable confluence between the story of Korach and the statement of Rav Elazar Ha’Kapar that is recorded in Mishnah Avot: “Envy, lust and obsessive desire for glory, remove a person from this world.”
0 Comments10 Minutes
B’ha’alot’cha 5772-2012
"Eldad and Medad"
Eldad and Medad are two relatively unknown Biblical personages, and yet, their powerful message and actions continue to resonate loud and clear.
0 Comments10 Minutes
Emor 5772-2012
"Lessons from a Priest’s Wanton Daughter"
The bad habits that we see some of our children developing may not be due to the children’s own personal shortcomings, but rather a result of the failure of proper parental nurturing. The only way for the priests, parents, and children to become sanctified and remain sanctified is for parents to serve as sanctified examples for their children and their families.
0 Comments14 Minutes
Vayakhel-Pekudei 5772-2012
“A United People Build the Tabernacle”
What were the special qualities of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), which ensured its durability, that were not found in the permanent Temples of Jerusalem?
0 Comments9 Minutes
Yitro 5772-2012
"Who is the Real Jethro?"
The Torah portrays Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, as a man of great distinction. No other personage of non-Jewish origin is accorded as much honor. Yet, the Midrash offers several ambivalent portraits of the man.
0 Comments10 Minutes
B’shalach 5772-2012
"Pharaoh's Ultimate Fate"
In Exodus 15, after the splitting of the sea, Moses leads the People of Israel in triumphant song, and Miriam leads the women of Israel in a song of victory. That is the last that we hear of Pharaoh, or is it?
0 Comments12 Minutes
Va’eira 5772-2012
“The Decline and Collapse of the Egyptian Magicians”
The Bible reports that the Egyptian magicians encourage Pharaoh’s resistance by replicating several of the Ten Plagues. Soon, however, we learn of the precipitous decline and collapse of the Egyptian magicians.
0 Comments8 Minutes
Shemot 5772-2012
“A Truly Moral Man Goes Out To His Brethren”
Although Jews may prefer to regard Moses exclusively as the leader of the Jewish people, Moses clearly emerges as the shepherd of all humankind.
0 Comments10 Minutes