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...
We read in Parashat Ahareh-Mot of the special service that the Kohen Gadol would perform in the Bet Ha’mikdash each year on Yom Kippur. This service included two goats which were sacrificed to atone for the nation’s sins....
Parashiyot Tazria and Mesora describe several different kinds of manifestations of Sara’at – discolorations on a person’s skin, garment or home, which, under certain conditions, brings a state of impurity. Our Sages have explained that Sara’at would strike a...
In the Haggadah, we emphasize the point that the plague of the firstborn was wrought by G-d Himself, and not by an angel or other agent. We cite the verse in Sefer Shemot (12:12), “Ve’abarti Be’retz Misrayim...
The Torah in Parashat Vayikra speaks about the procedure for offering sacrifices. Describing a person who brings a sacrifice to the Temple, the Torah uses the term “Yakrib Oto” (“He shall offer it” – 1:3), which Rashi...
The opening verses of Parashat Pekudeh present an accounting of the precious metals that Beneh Yisrael donated for the construction of the Mishkan. The Torah introduces this section by saying, “Eleh Fekudeh Mishkan, Mishkan Ha’edut” – “These are the calculations...
The Torah in Parashat Vayakhel relates how Beneh Yisrael responded Rabbi Eli Mansour enthusiastically to Moshe’s call for donations to the Mishkan. The people generously donated all the materials that were needed for the Mishkan’s construction, which included precious...