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
בס”ד In the beginning of the book of exodus Jethro is asking his daughters to invite Moses to eat after he saved them: “So where is he? Call him, and let him have something to eat” (Shemot 2:20). Jethro’s act of kindness toward Moses, our teacher, brought him and his… Read More »VA’EIRA 5785 – THE POWER OF CHARITY
בס”ד Our Torah portion, Shemot, recounts that when Moses grew up in Pharaoh’s household and went out to see his brothers, he saw “two Hebrew men fighting,” that were striking each other. Moses’ reaction was, “And he said to the wicked one, ‘Why do you strike your fellow?’” The word… Read More »SHEMOT 5785 – A REFLECTION OF HUMAN NATURE
בס”ד The Torah says of Jacob, Micah 7:20, “You will give the truth to Jacob, the kindness of Abraham, which you swore to our fathers from ancient times.” Since truth is eternal and unchanging, so is Jacob’s life. This means that he lives not only in the spiritual realm but… Read More »VAYECHI 5785 – THE ETERNAL LIFE OF JACOB
בס”ד This week’s Parsha “Vayigash” tells of Joseph’s revelation to his brothers after the brothers were willing to give up their lives for their brother Benjamin. This act fixed the sin of selling Joseph to Egypt. When Joseph became aware of Benjamin his brother, the Torah says: “And he fell… Read More »VAYIGASH 5785 – THE HOLLY TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM AS A FLOW OF DIVINE LIFE OF THE WHOLE WORLD
בס”ד Chanukah is a holiday that symbolizes the dedication of Jews to maintain their identity and faith as given in the Torah, in the face of a mighty, idolatrous nation of Greeks. It is not only a historical story of military victory but primarily a spiritual victory of faith in… Read More »CHANUKAH 5785 – A MESSAGE OF FAITH IN ONE G-D FOR ALL MANKIND
