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… 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… 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,… 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… 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… Read More »PARSHAT RE’EH – MOURNING FOR A PARENT
Ekev (Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25 ) In this week’s Portion, the Torah commands the people to go in the ways of G-d and to “cling to Him.” (1) The Sifri,(2) quoted by Rashi, asks how it is possible to cling to G-d, given that He is described in another place in the Torah as… Read More »PARSHAT EKEV – CLINGING TO THE WISE MAN
V’etchanan (Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11 ) Devarim, 6:5: “You shall love HaShem, your G-d, with all our heart, with all your soul, and with all your resources.” Rashi, 6:5, sv. With all your heart: With both of your inclinations. Va’etchanan features the first paragraph of the Shema, where we are told to serve G-d with all… Read More »PARSHAT V’ETCHANAN – USING THE GOOD INCLINATION FOR THE GOOD
Devarim (Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22 ) The Torah Portion begins with Moses rebuking the Jewish people for the various sins that they committed in the desert. One of the first sins that he addresses is that of the spies. Moshe recalls the events that led to this tragic occurrence. “And you all approached me… Read More »PARSHAT DEVARIM – THE CONNECTION BETWEEN CALMNESS AND TRUST IN GOD
Deuteronomy 31 Devarim, 31:12: “Gather together the people – the men, the women and the small children, and your stranger who is in your cities – so that they will hear and so that they will learn, and they will fear Hashem, your God, and be careful to perform all the… Read More »PARSHAT VAYELECH – BRINGING THE CHILDREN
Matot (Numbers 30:2-32:42 ) When the Gerrer Rebbe, the Sfat Emet was a boy, he was looked after by his grandfather, the great Chiddushei Harim, the first Gerrer Rebbe. On one occasion, the Sfat Emet stayed awake for most of the night learning Torah until he fell asleep in the early morning.… Read More »PARSHAT MATOT: ACCEPTING REBUKE
