In this week’s parsha, Parshas Vayelech, the Torah informs us of Hester Panim, the Concealment of the Divine Face, when Hashem hides His face (keviyachol) from His world and, specifically, from His people.  The pasukim (Devarim 31:17-18) tell us: וְחָרָה אַפִּי בוֹ בַיּוֹם-הַהוּא וַעֲזַבְתִּים וְהִסְתַּרְתִּי פָנַי...

This week’s parsha, Parshas Ki Seitzei, commands us regarding many mitzvos.  According to the Sefer HaChinuch, the parsha delineates a total of seventy-four mitzvos; twenty-seven mitzvos asei and forty-seven mitzvos lo ta’aseh.  Two important mitzvos - which are recorded one after another - concern neggah...

In the beginning of this week’s parsha, Parshas Re’eh, Moshe says to the Bnei Yisrael: רְאֵה, אָנֹכִי נֹתֵן לִפְנֵיכֶם--הַיּוֹם בְּרָכָה וּקְלָלָה - See, I am setting before you, on this day, blessings and curses (Devarim 11:26). While there are shivim panim la’Torah and many interpretations of...

In this week’s poetically stirring and masterful parsha, as transmitted to us by Moshe Rabbeinu, we have the well-known mitzvah of birkat ha’mazon, grace after meals (“bentching” after a bread meal).  The Torah tells us: וְאָכַלְתָּ, וְשָׂבָעְתָּ--וּבֵרַכְתָּ אֶת-ה’ אֱלֹקיךָ, עַל-הָאָרֶץ הַטֹּבָה אֲשֶׁר נָתַן-לָךְ - and...