Jewish Blogs

Parshat Toldot: Approaches to Evil

The intriguing story of the blessings of Yitzchak plays a paramount role in this parsha. As the Torah writes, Yitzchak wanted to give the brachot to his firstborn Esav, but Rivka intervened and Yaakov received them instead. At the time, a firstborn was meant to carry on the leadership of the family. Avraham passed the bechora on to Yitzchak and Yitzchak planned to do the ...

Parshat Tetzaveh: Losing The Self

In Parshat Tetzaveh, Hashem tells Moshe to command the Jewish people, “Ve’yikchu eilecha shemen zayit zach, They shall bring for you pure olive oil.” This is in contrast to Hashem’s previous command in Parshat Teruma, where He says, “Ve’yikchu li teruma.” They shall bring an offering for me.” Why is there a distinction between the general command for donations to the Mishkan, for me, ...

Parshat Tazria and Metzora: Mirror Image

Why did the Torah specifically designate the kohen to determine the status of a nega (leprosy spot)?Tzaraat was not a physical disease but rather a sign of a spiritual malady within the person. For that one needed to go to a spiritual source for help, to a kohen. The kohanim represent those who teach Torah. They are our spiritual guides. It’s difficult for a person to admit his faults. This ...

Parshat Noach: Lessons of Proper Speech and Helping Others

“V’Noach matza chen b’einei Hashem. Noach found grace in the eyes of Hashem.” What grace did Noach posses? In addition, Hashem could have saved Noach in any number of ways. Why was it necessary for him to build an ark and live among the animals?The core sin of the Generation of the Floodwas in the area of speech. They did ...

Parshat Nitzavim: Chassidut on the Parsha

Parshat Nitzavim begins with, “Atem nitzavim hayom, You, the Jewish people are standing before Hashem.” Rashi writes that the Jewish nation renewed their commitment to the Torah by making a special covenant with Hashem. Why was this covenant needed now? To answer this, Rashi asks another question. What is the connection between the parshiyot of Ki Tavo and Nitzavim? He ...

Parshat Mishpatim: The Seventh Point

The eved ivri (Jewish slave) was a rare occurrence during the Temple era and is certainly not relevant today. Why then is it discussed first in this parsha?Chassidut teaches that space consists of six sides, namely: up, down, left, right, front, and back. There is an epicenter within this three dimensional cube, which is the seventh point. This parallels the human experience. Most ...

Parshat Mishpatim: Brick Burden and Buoyancy

When Moshe, Aharon, his sons, and the seventy elders ascended Har Sinai, they saw a vision of Hashem. “Under His feet was the livnat hasapir,” the sapphire brickwork. Rashi says that this brickwork served to remind Hashem of the suffering of the Jewish people in Egypt.Rav Belsky asks why the bricks in this vision were made of sapphire and not of straw and mud ...

Parshat Matot & Masei: Science of Speech

The Parsha of nedarim differs from the rest of the Torah in that Moshe told it directly to the leaders of the Jewish people in a very condensed fashion. This comes to teach us the extraordinary power of speech. Our mouths should be sanctified with pure words. If we pollute it with lashon hara and other verbal transgressions, we destroy our gift. Our Torah ...

Parshat Lech Lecha: The Mystery of Lot

Upon Avraham and Sarah’s return from Egypt, a great change overtook Lot, who had accompanied them on their journey. He allowed his shepherds to pasture in strange fields which led to his break-up with Avraham. Lot moved to Sedom, a bastion of impurity and evil and was later captured in the battle of the four and five kings. Avraham then ...

Parshat Ki Tisa – Reaching for Holiness

At the time of the giving of the Torah, the Jewish people rose to the level of Adam before the sin. How did they fall so quickly after that with cheit haegel (the sin of the golden calf)? The commentators explain that their intentions were not evil. They thought Moshe had died and that they had been left alone in the desert. Perhaps ...

Parshat Ki Tisa: Bound to Our Creator

Parshat Ki Tisa tells the pivotal sin of cheit ha’eigel (the sin of the golden calf), the subsequent breaking of the luchot, and Moshe’s prayer for forgiveness. In his exchange with Hashem, Moshe asks, “Let me see Your glory.” Hashem responds, “You will see My back, but My face you shall not see.” What was the back of Hashem that Moshe was privileged ...

Parshat Eikev: Mind and Heart United

In Parshat Eikev, we read, “Vayaha eikav tishmaun..”- If you will listen to my laws, then I, Hashem will keep the promise I gave to the Avot to bring you blessing. The word “eikev” seems extraneous. The Shem Mishmuel brings a Midrash- one who assembles a light fixture on Shabbat is obligated to bring a Chatas sacrifice. Keeping Shabbat earns ...