Yom Ha’atzmaut (observed) 4 Iyar 5779, corresponding to May 9, 2019: 71 years since the establishment of Medinat Yisrael, our new country in our old land. Towards the end of this week’s parsha, Parhas Kedoshim, the pasuk tells us: וָאֹמַר לָכֶם אַתֶּם תִּירְשׁוּ אֶת-אַדְמָתָם, וַאֲנִי אֶתְּנֶנָּה...
This week’s parsha, Parshas Achrei Mos, begins with the following pasuk (verse): And Hashem spoke to Moshe, after the deaths of the two sons of Aharon, when they came close to Hashem, and they died (Vayikra 16:1). This pasuk is referring to an incident mentioned...
Pesach. Layl ha’Seder. An evening of commemoration, celebration, freedom, family and friends. Sedorim around the world begin, not with Kaddesh/Kiddush, but with the recitation of the order of the Seder itself. R’ Yisrael Meir Lau teaches that the order of the Seder is the order...
Nissan 5779: Chag Ha’Matzos, Chag ha’Pesach, Zman Cheiroseinu, Chag Ha’Aviv - the festival of matzah, the holiday of Pesach, the time of our freedom, and the yomtov celebrated in the spring season. Once again, Pesach is here. R’ Soloveitchik zt’l powerfully and evocatively reminisced, “Let me...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Tazria, we learn about the affliction of Tzaraas. Often erroneously translated as leprosy (which is a contagious illness), tzaraas can be more precisely defined as: a spiritual illness with a physical manifestation. The nega tzaraas, the tzaraas affliction, is not...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Shemini, after much time, effort, donations, and dedication on behalf of the people, under the direction of Moshe and Betzalel, and along with much Siyata d’Shmaya (Divine assistance), the narrative that began in Parshas Terumah - דַּבֵּר אֶל-בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְיִקְחוּ-לִי...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Tzav, the Torah commands us regarding the korban todah, the thanksgiving offering. The pasuk (verse) says: וּבְשַׂר, זֶבַח תּוֹדַת שְׁלָמָיו--בְּיוֹם קָרְבָּנוֹ, יֵאָכֵל: לֹא-יַנִּיחַ מִמֶּנּוּ, עַד-בֹּקֶר - And the flesh of his feast thanksgiving peace-offering must be eaten on the day...
With this week’s parsha, Parshas Vayikra, we open up the third book of Torah, Sefer Vayikra. Sefer Vayikra begins with the command to Moshe regarding various korbanos (usually translated as offerings or sacrifices). The commentators differ in their opinions as to what is the purpose...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Pekudei, the Mishkan is completed. After months of donations by the people and construction overseen by the master craftsmen, Betzalel and Ohaliav, the embroidery, metalwork, woodwork, lapidary work, spice mixing, oil pressing, leather work, and sewing are all done. The...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Vayakhel, the parsha begins by reiterating the command to keep Shabbos. And Moshe assembled the entire assembly of the Children of Israel and said to them… שֵׁשֶׁת יָמִים, תֵּעָשֶׂה מְלָאכָה, וּבַיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי יִהְיֶה לָכֶם קֹדֶשׁ שַׁבַּת שַׁבָּתוֹן - For six...