In the opening verse of Parashat Nitzavim, Moshe declares to Benei Yisrael, “Atem Nitzavim Hayom Kulechem” – “You stand before God today, all of you!” This is generally understood as...
Parashat Ki-Tavo begins with the Misva of Bikkurim, the requirement to bring one’s first fruits to the Kohen in the Bet Hamikdash. A farmer who grew any of the seven...
The Torah in Parashat Ki-Teseh presents the Misva of Shilu’ah Ha’kan, which requires sending a mother bird away from the nest rather than taking it together with the eggs. One...
In the opening verse of Parashat Shofetim, Moshe exhorts Benei Yisrael to appoint “Shofetim Ve’shoterim” – judges and enforcers – in every town and city. Wherever there is a Jewish...
Moshe Rabbenu begins Parashat Re’eh by exhorting Benei Yisrael, “Look, I have presented before you today a blessing and a curse.” Many commentators noted the grammatical shift in this verse...
The Torah tells us in Parashat Ekeb, “Ki Lo Al Ha’lehem Lebado Yihyeh Ha’adam” – “Man does not live on bread alone.” On the simplest level of interpretation, Moshe here...
Moshe tells Benei Yisrael in Parashat Va’ etchanan, “For who is a great nation who has a god close to it, like Hashem, our God, is whenever we call unto...
The first verse of Parashat Devarim lists the names of several places where Moshe spoke to Benei Yisrael. However, as Rashi observes, these places do not actually exist; there are...
The final two verses of Parashat Matot tell of two men from the tribe of Menashe who captured cities and gave the cities names. Yair captured the towns of the...
A famous Mishna in Pirkeh Abot (5:17) distinguishes between two kinds of “Mahloket” (controversy) – one which is “Le’shem Shamayim” (for the sake of Heaven), and one which is not...
