Ha’azinu (Deuteronomy 32 ) Devarim, 32:7: “Remember the days of old; understand the changes of each generation; ask your father and he will tell you; [ask] your elder and he will speak to you.” The verse in Haazinu instructs us to remember history and to understand the changes of each generation. The final part of the verse seems… Read More »PARSHAT HA’AZINU – HISTORY THROUGH A TORAH LENS

Nitzavim (Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20 ) Deut., 29:15-16: “For you have known how you lived in the Land of Egypt and how you traversed the nations whose countries you have passed through. You have seen their abominations and their detestable idols (es shikutzeihem v’et giluleihem) of wood and stone, of silver and gold that were with them.” The Torah warns… Read More »PARSHAT NITZAVIM – GETTING USED TO TRANSGRESSIONS

Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8 ) When the Jewish people entered the land, they were to assemble at two mountains for a new acceptance of the Torah, but the command to do so is found already in this week’s Torah Portion. Twelve commandments were to be enumerated, and the people would acknowledge publicly that blessings await those who… Read More »PARSHAT KI TAVO – ESTABLISHING TORAH

Ki Teitzei (Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19 ) Devarim, 21:10-11: “When you will go out to war against your enemies, and Hashem, your God will deliver him into your hand, and you will capture his captivity; and you will see among the captivity a woman who is beautiful in form, and you will desire her, you may take her to… Read More »PARSHAT TI TEITZEI – AVOIDING TESTS

Shoftim (Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9 ) “Who is the man who is fearful and faint-hearted? Let him go and return to his house, and let him not melt the heart of his fellows to be like his heart.” (1) The Torah commands anyone who is afraid of going to war to leave the battlefield because of the negative influence… Read More »PARSHAT SHOFTIM – OUR INFLUENCE ON OTHERS

Re’eh (Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17 ) The Torah forbids various forms of mourning that were prevalent among the non-Jewish nations. One of the reasons that these were forbidden is they were too excessive, ascribing a sense of permanency to death, when in truth, we know that the person’s soul continues to exist and lives in the Next World. The… Read More »PARSHAT RE’EH – MOURNING FOR A PARENT