Parashat Pinhas is almost always read on the first Shabbat of the period known as “Ben Ha’mesarim,” the three weeks between Shiba Asar Be’Tammuz and Tisha B’Ab, when we mourn the destruction of the Bet Ha’mikdash. With very...
Many years ago, I was learning with a peer in the Deal Synagogue, and we were having an argument regarding the laws of Mukseh on Shabbat. Suddenly, one of the leading Halachic scholars of our time, Rav...
The opening section of Parashat Hukat introduces and discusses the Misva of Para Aduma, a special cow which was required for the process of purifying people or utensils who had become Tameh through contact with a human corpse....
Rashi, commenting to the opening verse of Parashat Korach, explains the connection between this Parasha and the immediately preceding section – the final verses of Parashat Shelah, which introduce the Misva of Sisit. Korach led a brazen uprising...
Toward the end of Parashat Shelah (15:32-36), we read the disturbing story of the “Mekoshesh Esim,” the man who publicly desecrated Shabbat by collecting wood. The Torah tells that it was not known what punishment this man deserved...
The final section of Parashat Behaalotecha tells the story of the inappropriate remarks made by Miriam and Aharon about their brother, Moshe Rabbenu. They criticized Moshe’s decision to separate from his wife, claiming that this was unnecessary, as they, too,...
Parashat Naso begins in the middle of the section that tells of the census taken of the tribe of Levi. This tribe was assigned special roles, including the role of transporting the Mishkan when Beneh Yisrael traveled in...
Tradition teaches that the souls of all Jews who would ever live until the end of time were present at Mount Sinai when the Torah was given. This concept actually finds halachic expression, in the concept of...
The opening verses of Parashat Behukotai describe the beautiful blessings that G-d promises to bestow upon Beneh Yisrael in reward for their compliance with the Torah’s laws. The Torah introduces this section by saying, “Im Be’hukotai Telechu, Ve’et Misvotai Tishmeru”...
The Torah in Parashat Emor introduces the Misva of the Korban Ha’omer – the special sacrifice which was offered on the 16th of Nissan, the second day of Pesach. This sacrifice included the offering of an “Omer” of...