A landowner who grew any one of the 7 species indigenous to Eretz Yisrael, must bring a sample of the first growth to the Bet HaMikdash, starting after the holiday of Shavuot. Interesting that the Bikurim declaration deals with agricultural produce, while ignoring the bigger implications of the Jewish nation’s great spiritual mission.
The book of Bamidbar begins with the command to conduct a census of military age men. This week’s message deals with military conscription because as of April 9, 2026, the U.S. will transition to automatic registration for all eligible men aged 18 to 25.
May we all realize that we are living in monumental times that will decide the fate of nations and continents.
Present-day meeting of Ya’akov, Eisav, and Yishmael. A bad move by any one of these individuals could produce a violent reaction, possibly a world war. Shemot (Exodus) 23:32 “Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods”.
There are still Jews being held hostage! How can we fulfill the all-encompassing mitzva of our era?
When making a Halachic judgment, a rabbi or judge may not rule based solely on the texts of the Tanach, Mishnah, or even the Gemara. His legal framework is the Shulchan Aruch and the precedents established in Responsa literature throughout the generations. Nevertheless, the moral lessons we glean from the Torah serve as vital landmarks in our Jewish value system.
