The Torah in Parashat Naso (5:5-8) discusses the case of a person who stole and then took an oath falsely denying his crime. After he confesses his sin and repents, he must pay the victim the principal...
The Mishna in Pirkeh Abot (3:14) teaches, “Man is precious, in that he was created in the image [of G-d]...
The Torah in Parashat Bamidbar briefly recounts the death of Nadab and Abihu, Aharon’s two older sons: “Nadab and Abihu died before G-d...
Parashat Behar discusses the fascinating Misva of Shemita, which requires abstaining from all agricultural work in Eretz Yisrael every seventh year. Additionally, all produce that grows in the seventh year may not be harvested and stored by the...
Parashat Emor begins with the special laws that apply to the Kohanim. The commentators noted that the Torah opens this section with a seemingly redundant phrase: “G-d said to Moshe: Speak to the Kohanim, the sons of Aharon,...
The Torah in Parashat Kedoshim presents a large number of Misvot, covering a very wide range of topics. This Parasha begins with G-d instructing Moshe to present these commands “El Kol Adat Beneh Yisrael” – “to the entire...
Parashiyot Tazria and Mesora devote a great deal of attention to the laws of Sara’at, a condition that would befall people as a punishment for various sins. Sara’at manifested itself as a discoloration either in a person’s...
Twice during the Seder on Pesah we take a piece of food and dip it into a liquid before eating it. First, after Kiddush, we take the Karpas – a vegetable – and dip it...
One of the sacrifices discussed in Parashat Sav is the Korban Toda, or thanksgiving offering. A person who emerged safely from certain dangerous situations – illness, captivity, desert travel or an overseas trip – was required to bring this...
The Torah in Parashat Vayikra discusses the various kinds of sacrifices, including the sin-offering that one was required to bring after committing certain sins. In introducing this sin-offering, the Torah speaks of “Nefesh Ahat” – literally, “one soul” –...