The Torah in the beginning of Parashat Shofetim speaks about the judicial system, and it famously exhorts, "Sedek Sedek Tirdof" – "You shall pursue justice." Already the Gemara raises the question of why the Torah found it necessary...
Among the many topics discussed in Parashat Re’eh is the law of the "Mesit," one who tries to persuade his fellow Jews to abandon the faith and worship idols. The Torah foresees the situation where a person may...
The opening section of Parashat Ekeb describes the prosperity and good fortune that are promised to Beneh Yisrael if they obey Hashem’s commands. However, the Sages inferred from the second word in this Parasha – the word for which it...
The Shabbat after Tisha B’Ab is known as "Shabbat Nahamu," a reference to the portion from the Prophets read on this Shabbat, a section from the Book of Yeshayahu (40) which begins, "Nahamu Nahamu Ami" – "Comfort, comfort My nation."...
The Arizal (Rav Yishak Luria of Safed, 1534-1572) taught that all the troubles we experience are due to the destruction of the Bet Ha’mikdash and our exile. That catastrophic event is the source of all our problems....
The Torah in Parashat Maseh b r i e f l y mentions the death of Aharon H a ’ k o h e n , noting that he passed away on Rosh Hodesh Ab – a day...
In Parashat Pinhas we read about the census that was taken shortly before Beneh Yisrael entered the Land of Israel. The Torah goes through all the tribes, listing the major families of each, and informs us of the tribe’s...
In this weeks parasha, Parashat Balak, the prophet Bilam, who intended to curse the Jewish people, looked out upon them and declared "How fair are your tents, O Jacob, Your dwellings, O Israel" (Bamidbar 24:5). In many prayer books, the...
Parashat Hukat begins with the famous law of Para Aduma, the red cow that was burned and its ashes mixed with water that would be used to purify those who came in contact with a human corpse. Contact with...
The Torah in Parashat Korah delineates the twenty-four "Matenot Kehuna" – gifts which the Kohanim are to receive from the rest of the nation. After listing all the various gifts, Hashem commands Moshe to tell Aharon that these gifts...