12 Av 5783 – 30 July 2023 Be very careful that you not forget the covenant that Hashem, your G-d made with you, and you make for yourselves a statue – the image of anything, that Hashem, your G-d has commanded you. The actual wording of the original Hebrew here… Read More »Deutoronomy 4:23 – … Make for Yourselves a Statue…?
10 Av 5783 – 28 July 2023 “From there you shall seek Hashem your G-d and you will find Him, but you must search for Him with all your heart and all your soul” The Kotzker Rebbe taught that even after you have found Hashem, you must continue to seek… Read More »Deuteronomy 4:19 – Discover More
8 Av 5783 – 26 July 2023 “And these words which I am commanding you today shall be upon your heart.” The Kotzker Rebbe wondered why it doesn’t say to place the words within our hearts – why just upon them? He answered that in truth, our hearts are not… Read More »Deuteronomy 6:6 – Only Upon Your Heart?
7 Av 5783 – 26 July 2023 The creation testifies to the glory of the Creator. “Raise your eyes on high, and see Who created these (things)…” Isaiah 40:26 “The heavens declare the glory of G-d and the firmament tells of His handiwork.” (Psalm 19:2) Everything we see points to… Read More »Isaiah 40:26 – No Human is Equated with G-d
1 Av 5783 – 19 July 2023 “You have enough. Circle the mountain and turn to the north” Rabbi Shlomo Ephraim Luntschitz, in his commentary Kli Yakar, spins this verse in a creative way. The Hebrew word for north is ‘tzafon’, which also has the meaning of to conceal. He… Read More »Deuteronomy 2:3 – Be Sensitive
28 Tammuz 5783 – 17 July 2023 They journeyed from Kivros HaTa’avah and camped in Chatzeros” R’ Yitzchak of Vorka offered an strategy for defeating the ever-present temptations to sin that we experience in life. In order to overcome our inner adversary (yetzer hara), we must always remember that this… Read More »Numbers 33:17 – A Hallway to the Palace
26 Tammuz 5783 – 15 July 2023 “You shall designate three cities on the other side of the Jordan River, and you shall designate three cities in the land of Canaan; they shall serve as cities of refuge”. If someone committed manslaughter and killed another unintentionally, these cities were places… Read More »Numbers 35:13 – Ensure a Safe Environment
בס”ד 21 Tammuz 5783 – 10 July 2023 “Therefore, say (to Pinchas), ‘I am giving him My covenant of peace’ ” It is interesting that this episode in the Torah is split between two portions. We read about Pinchas’ act of zealotry at the end of last week’s Torah portion… Read More »Numbers 25:12 – The True Motivation of Acts of Zealotry
20 Tammuz 5783 – 9 July 2023 “Moses spoke to the tribal leaders of the Children of Israel saying: This is the word that Hashem has commanded: If a person makes a vow…” We need to understand why this chapter which deals with the laws of vows and oaths was… Read More »Numbers 30:2-3 – Vows and Politicians
18 Tammuz 5783 – 7 July 2023 “A constant daily burnt-offering as was offered on Mt. Sinai, for a pleasing aroma, a fire-offering to Hashem” This verse describes what is known as the Korban Tamid – the perpetual offering. This sacrifice was brought every single day of the year; once… Read More »Numbers 28:6 – No Auto Pilot but als Day One
