05 Apr PARASHAT MESORA: CORRECTING THE SIN OF LASHON HA’RA
Parashiyot Tazria and Mesora speak at length about the subject of Sara’at, the skin infection that would be suffered by those guilty of the sin of Lashon Ha’ra – negative...
29 Mar PARASHAT TAZRIA: ELIYAHU HA’NABI AND THE BERIT MILA “REDEMPTION”
Parashat Tazria begins with the law of “Tum’at Yoledet” – the state of impurity that descends upon a woman after she delivers a child. The Torah establishes that the woman...
22 Mar PARASHAT SHEMINI- SACRIFICING FOR MISVOT
Parashat Shemini tells of the events that took place “on the eighth day” – meaning, the day after the sevenday Miluim process during which Aharon and his sons were prepared to serve as Kohanim. On this...
15 Mar PARASHAT SAV: MAKING SACRIFICES
Parashat Sav continues the Torah’s discussion which began in the previous Parasha, Parashat Vayikra, outlining the basic laws that apply to the various types of sacrifices. One of the voluntary sacrifices...
08 Mar PURIM – WHAT HAMAN LEARNED FROM MORDECHAI
We read in the Megilla of how Ahashverosh wanted to repay Mordechai for saving his life, and he summoned Haman to ask him what would be an appropriate way of...
01 Mar PARASHAT PEKUDEI: THE SCHOLARS OF TORAH & THE SUPPORTERS OF TORAH
The Gemara in Masechet Berachot (55a) tells of the conversation Moshe had with Besalel, the man appointed by G-d to lead the construction of the Mishkan, when Moshe approached him...
22 Feb PARASHAT VAYAKHEL: REBUILDING THE WORLD
In Parashat Vayakhel, Moshe Rabbenu assembles Beneh Yisrael to present to them G-d’s commands regarding the construction of the Mishkan and its various furnishings. He introduces this command, however, by...
15 Feb PARASHAT KI TISA: MOSHE RABBENU’S “GIFT” TO THE SATAN
After the sin of the golden calf, Moshe Rabbenu pleaded to G-d on the nation’s behalf, and he asked that if G-d would not forgive the people for this grave...
08 Feb PARASHAT TESAVEH: MOSHE, NOAH, AND US
One of the intriguing features of Parashat Tesaveh is the fact noted by our Sages that Moshe’s name appears nowhere in the Parasha – making this the first Parasha since...
01 Feb PARASHAT TERUMA: SINCERE CHARITY
Parashat Teruma begins with G-d’s command to Beneh Yisrael that they should donate materials for the construction of the Mishkan: “Ve’yikhu Li Teruma.” Rashi, commenting to this verse, notes that...