Tazria-Metzora 5773

by | Apr 11, 2013

What we call “humanity” is very much a part of the bestial, animal world. I know that this is a difficult concept to accept, especially in view of the “righteous gentiles” who endangered their lives to save Jews…

Shemini 5773

by | Apr 4, 2013

Aharon remained silent because he understood the message that HaShem had sent to the Jewish people. It is incumbent upon each Torah Jew to try and understand the messages HaShem is constantly sending us, as Aharon was able to do at the demise of his two sons.

Tzav Shabbat HaGadol 5773

by | Mar 22, 2013

R. Yoshiah says do not read the word “matzot” to mean only matzot, but read it to refer also to the mitzvot (commandments), and just as one must not procrastinate while baking the matzot and thus cause them to be chametz, one should not procrastinate in keeping a mitzva but must fulfill the mitzva immediately.

Vayikra 5773

by | Mar 15, 2013

Many Jewish communities in the galut can be likened to the Shelamim, but in Eretz Yisrael we are like the Olah sacrifice – it’s all “for the Boss”. Eretz Yisrael is the Jews’ last stop – it is home. Here we must stand firm in defense of our emunah (faith) and eternal destiny.

Vayakhel-Pekudai Shabbat Hachodesh 5773

by | Mar 8, 2013

Israel is soon to host the President of the United States. This is not a political visit – it is a challenge to our faith and a denial of the God of Israel. In the four parshiot of Teruma, Tetzaveh, Vayakhel and Pekudai there is a repetition of the Mishkan’s details, so uncharacteristic of the Torah’s constrictive textual style. Why?

Ki Tisa 5773

by | Mar 1, 2013

This Shabbat we will read parshat Ki Tisa which is at total variance with the two preceding parshiot – Teruma and Tetzaveh, and parshiot Vayak’hel and Pekudai which follow Ki Tisa.

Teruma and Tetzaveh deal with the Mishkan and its implements, Ki Tisa interrupts the sequence and tells of the sinful, disastrous episode of the Aigel Hazahav (the Golden Calf), and the two final parshiot of the Book of Shemot, Vayak’hel and Pekudai, return to the subject of the Mishkan and its implements.

Mishkan, Mishkan, tragic episode of idolatry, and again Mishkan, Mishkan – what does it mean?