בס”ד Leviticus, the Torah’s third book, focuses on the regulations surrounding sacrificial offerings. A Noahide may construct an altar and present a burnt offering to G-d using a kosher animal or bird that belongs to them. For Noahides, offering sacrifices is allowed but not an obligation. Failing to do so… Read More »PARSHAT VAYIKRA 5785 – THE POWER TO UPLIFT THE NATURAL
בס”ד The Torah portion Parshat Pekudei describes the Tabernacle, which served as a “testimony.” Literally, “eidut” means testimony but also means jewel (edi). This dual term carries deep meaning: the Tabernacle stood as evidence that G-d forgave the Jewish people for their sin of worshipping the Golden Calf. It was… Read More »PARSHAT PEKUDEI 5785 – GETTING THE LOST SPIRITUAL CROWNS
בס”ד This Torah portion, describes how the Israelites, especially the women, contributed to building the Tabernacle. A remarkable example was their skill in spinning goat hair for the Tabernacle’s curtains. They spun the wool directly from the living goats, an extraordinary and voluntary act, driven by their desire to offer… Read More »PARSHAT VAYAKHEL 5785 – UTILIZING UNIQUE TALENTS TO SERVE THE CREATOR
בס”ד Purim is the most joyful day of the year and it also has a message that continues throughout the ages. Although the Purim story does not feature any visible miracles, G-d actively guides events in subtle ways. This holiday shows how Divine Providence is a part of our daily… Read More »PURIM – DIVINE SALVATION COMES NATURALLY
בס”ד True leadership transcends giving and receiving. It demands complete self-sacrifice, rising above personal concerns to identify wholly with the needs and aspirations of those being led. A genuine leader is willing to give up everything, even their very existence, for the sake of G-d and the benefit of their… Read More »TETZAVEH 5785 – SELFLESS DEVOTION – THE ESSENCE OF TRUE LEADERSHIP
בס”ד The Torah describes G-d commanding the Israelites to give contributions (“terumah”) for the Tabernacle’s construction, using the phrase “And they shall take for Me a contribution” (Exodus 25:2). This phrasing is unusual, as it’s the people who are giving, not taking. How can a mandatory contribution, even taken by… Read More »TERUMAH 5785 – GIVING FOR THE SAKE OF HEAVEN
בס”ד In this Torah portion the prohibition of witchcraft is described. “A sorceress, you shall not keep alive”(Exodus 22:17). The sages say that this type of bad inclination, consulting a sorcerer, was powerful and hard to get rid of. The reason for this prohibition is because it was practiced and… Read More »MISHPATIM 5785 – THE PROHIBITION OF SORCERY IN MODERN DAYS
בס”ד The Torah says that there are three partners in the creation of man – his father and mother who give birth to him and the Holy One, blessed be He, who gives him soul. The sages say that respecting G-d and respecting parents are somewhat parallel. The question is… Read More »JETHRO 5785 – HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER
בס”ד One of the greatest miracles that occurred to the Children of Israel when they left Egypt was the miracle of the splitting of the Red Sea. This miracle happened thanks to Nachshon ben Aminadab, who saw the people trapped between the Egyptians and the sea, and then sacrificed himself… Read More »BESHALACH 5785 – JUMPING INTO THE COLD WATER
בס”ד This week’s Torah portion tells of the special commandment that the Israelites received on the eve of their exodus from Egypt: Each family was commanded to take a lamb home on the tenth of the Jewish month of Nisan, to keep the lamb at home for four days, and… Read More »BO 5785 – THE ABOLITION OF IDOLATRY
