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...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Tetzaveh, the Torah continues to instruct us regarding the construction of the Mishkan. The bigdei kehunah (priestly garments) that are to be made are outlined in great detail, as is the command to build the Mizbayach ha’zahav (the golden altar...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Teruma, we are commanded regarding the construction of the Mishkan (the Tabernacle), where the nation would worship during their sojourn through the desert wilderness. Moshe was to collect from the people gold, silver, copper, turquoise wool, purple wool, scarlet wool, animal...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Mishpatim, the giving of the Torah continues with law after law -Mishpatim, which govern social order. While the focus of Parshas Yisro is the exalted, awe-inspiring and holy revelation at Sinai, the focus of Parshas Mishpatim is how to apply...