In this week’s parsha, Parshas Behar, the Torah commands us regarding the Shemitta year, the seventh Sabbatical year wherein the land of Israel lies fallow, its bounty permitted to man and animal alike. At the culmination of seven Shemitta cycles, with the 49th year a...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Emor, the Torah delineates our Mo’adim - appointed festivals (Vayikra, Chapter 23). Beginning with a general introduction to the Jewish calendar year, the pasuk (verse) says: דַּבֵּר אֶל-בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם, מוֹעֲדֵי ה’ אֲשֶׁר-תִּקְרְאוּ אֹתָם מִקְרָאֵי קֹדֶשׁ--אֵלֶּה הֵם, מוֹעֲדָי - And...
In Parshas Kedoshim, the second of this week’s double parshios (Achrei Mos-Kedoshim), we are commanded to be a holy people, for G-d is Holy (Vayikra 19:2). As is well known, many of the commands and directives in the parsha focus on mitzvos bein adam l’chavairo (laws...
Parshas Tazria, the first of this week’s double-parshios (Tazria-Metzora in Chutz la’Aretz) focuses mainly on the identification and diagnosis of the spiritual malady of tzara’as: a spiritual illness with a physical manifestation. Chazal (the Sages, Arachin 16a) lists seven causes of tzara’as, the most well-known...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Shemini, Aharon and his sons are officially and formally inducted into the Kehunah, as their priestly roles are assigned to them. The parsha opens on the celebratory Eighth Day of the inauguration of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), when the Mishkan was...
Chag Ha’Pesach is here once again. Zman Cheiroseinu - the time of our freedom; Chag Ha’Matzos - the festival when we eat matzah; Chag Ha’Aviv - the holiday that must always be celebrated in the spring season. This layl Shabbos (Friday night), we will sit down...
In lieu of a Parsha Post, this week’s post is a Pesach Dvar Torah. As we prepare to sit down to our Seder table, and relate the story of our enslavement and miraculous redemption, the Sages teach that: כל המרבה לספר, הרי זה משבח -...
On Shabbos we will read the final of the four special parshios (Shekalim, Zachor, Parah & HaChodesh) read in preparation for Pesach. In addition to beginning Sefer Vayikra, and reading Parshas Vayikra, we will read from Shemos 12, regarding Kiddush ha’Chodesh - the sanctification of...
With this week’s double parshios, Vayakhel-Pekudei, we close the book of Shemos once again. The road to redemption outlined in Sefer ha’Geula (the Book of Redemption) is complete, as the Bnei Yisrael finish the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), and the presence of G-d rests...
It’s hard to believe, as we marvel at the passage of time, that it’s Purim once again. The winter has just about passed and with Purim, we begin to move into Chodesh ha’Aviv (Spring season). The one day celebration is marked with four special mitzvos: Mishloach...