וַיְהִי בִּימֵי אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ: הוּא אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ, הַמֹּלֵךְ מֵהֹדּוּ וְעַד-כּוּשׁ--שֶׁבַע וְעֶשְׂרִים וּמֵאָה מְדִינָה, and it was in the days of Achashvairosh, he was Achashvairosh, who ruled from Hodu to Kush, one hundred and twenty seven provinces (Esther 1:1). In an age-old narrative that we are all familiar...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Terumah, the Bnei Yisrael are commanded regarding the building of the Mishkan, the Sanctuary that would accompany them during their desert wanderings, from where the Almighty would dwell amongst them (keviyachol) and within them (Shemos 25:8), and where the kohanim...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Mishpatim, we are introduced to the myriad of laws that follow the great Revelation at Sinai. The majority of the mitzvos in Mishpatim are mitzvos bein adam l’chavairo, laws governing interaction between man and fellow man. As opposed to the...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Yisro, the Bnei Yisrael arrive at the foothills of Mt. Sinai on Rosh Chodesh Sivan. It is here that the most exalted, awe-inspiring, life-altering and nation-forming Revelation takes place, as the Almighty reveals Himself to the nation with the giving...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Beshalach, we read of the famous salvation at the Sea of Reeds. Having just left Egypt, the former Israelite slaves are journeying through the desert, en route to freedom, when wicked Pharaoh has a change of heart. וַיֵּהָפֵךְ לְבַב פַּרְעֹה...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Bo, after centuries in Egypt, the Children of Israel leave the country of their enslavement, a triumphant and hopeful nation. With Egypt now destroyed as a result of the Eser Makkos (The Ten Plagues), of which the final three occur...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Va’era, the process of the miraculous redemption from Egypt begins to unfold. Beginning with the arbah leshonos geula - four terms that assure us of G-d’s promise of redemption - and culminating with the plague of barad (hail), the parsha...
Sefer Shemos, literally “The Book of Names,” begins with the words: וְאֵלֶּה, שְׁמוֹת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הַבָּאִים, מִצְרָיְמָה: אֵת יַעֲקֹב, אִישׁ וּבֵיתוֹ בָּאוּ, and these are the names of the children of Israel, who were coming to Egypt, Yaakov, each man and his household came: Reuven,...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Vayechi, upon his deathbed and at the end of his life, Yaakov Avinu blesses each of his sons with their own unique bracha (Bereishis 49, Birkas Yaakov). To Shimon and Levi, his second and third sons born to Leah, he...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Vayigash, we learn of the great reunion between Yosef, his brothers, and his father, after a twenty-two year separation. When the brothers return to Egypt to procure food for a second time, due to the severe famine ravaging the land...