In this week’s parsha, Parshas Nitzavim, we learn about the mitzvah of teshuva, repentance. Not for naught is this parsha read before Rosh Hashana, as it reminds us of leaving our sins behind and returning in purity and holiness to G-d. וְשַׁבְתָּ עַד-ה’, וְשָׁמַעְתָּ בְקֹלוֹ,...
This week’s parsha, Parshas Ki Savo, begins with the mitzvah of Bikkurim, the dedication of the first fruits of the shivas ha’minim (seven species of the Land, Devarim 8:8), and the bringing of the fruits up to Yerushalayim, to the kohen in the Beis Ha’Mikdash. ...
This week’s parsha, Ki Seitzi, ends with an account of the battle of Amalek against Am Yisrael (see Shemos 17). זָכוֹר, אֵת אֲשֶׁר-עָשָׂה לְךָ עֲמָלֵק, בַּדֶּרֶךְ, בְּצֵאתְכֶם מִמִּצְרָיִם - Remember what Amalek did to you, on the way, when you were leaving Egypt; that he...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Shoftim, the Torah famously instructs us: צֶדֶק צֶדֶק, תִּרְדֹּף לְמַעַן תִּחְיֶה וְיָרַשְׁתָּ אֶת-הָאָרֶץ - Righteousness, Righteousness shall you pursue, so that you may live and take possession of the land that Hashem, your G-d, is giving you (Devarim 16:20). Rashi (ibid)...
This Shabbos Kodesh and Yom Rishon (Shabbos and Sunday) we mark the days of Rosh Chodesh Elul… It is hard to believe, but it is Elul once again. The final, impactful, hopefully awe-inspiring, stirring month of the year. If we have been lax in our avodas...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Eikev, Moshe reminds the Bnei Yisrael of the Divine food, the Heavenly manna, that sustained them for their forty-year desert wanderings. הַמַּאֲכִלְךָ מָן בַּמִּדְבָּר, אֲשֶׁר לֹא-יָדְעוּן אֲבֹתֶיךָ: לְמַעַן עַנֹּתְךָ, וּלְמַעַן נַסֹּתֶךָ לְהֵיטִבְךָ בְּאַחֲרִיתֶךָ - (Do not forget Hashem) Who feeds...
This week’s parsha, Parshas V’Eschanan, opens with Moshe’s fervent tefillos, asking Hashem that he be allowed into Eretz Yisrael - a request which, ultimately, was denied. Moshe reviews the Aseres Ha’Dibros (The Ten Commandments) with the people, reminding them (and us) of our obligations to...
Dear Friends, For your interest, here is the link to my Tisha B’Av shiur, presented at the YI Woodmere. https://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/930022/mrs-michal-horowitz/eichah-unique-permission-to-ask-why-/ Enjoy and feel free to share with others. Kol tuv and besuros tovos for all. Michal...
This week’s parsha, Parshas Devarim, is always read erev Tisha B’Av (and this year is read on 9 Av itself). Why the juxtaposition of Parshas Devarim to Tisha B’Av? In perek alef (Chapter 1), Moshe recalls the sin of the spies, who went up the scout...
As Sefer Bamidbar closes, in its final two parshios of Mattos and Masei, we read of two narratives centered around the chashivus (importance) of Eretz Yisrael. At the end of Mattos, the tribes of Reuven and Gad request their portion of land on the eastern side...