In this week’s parsha, Parshas Shmini, the pasuk says: “And the entire congregation came close, and they stood - וַיַּעַמְדוּ - before Hashem” (Lev.9:5). On the word וַיַּעַמְדוּ, R’ Yitzchok Ziberstein tells over the following vignette: There was a custom in a certain Jewish owned, kosher...
Erev Shabos Kodesh, Sefer Vayikra, Parshas Tzav, Shabos ha’Gadol. Sefer Vayikra, also known as Toras Kohanim, reads mostly like an instruction book to the kohanim regarding their service in the Sanctuary. In the words of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, “The laws of sacrifices that dominate the...
In the first of this week’s parshios, Parshas Vayakhel, Moshe instructs the Israelites regarding Shabos, “For six days you shall work, and on the seventh day it shall be for you holy, a complete rest…” (Ex.35:2). Immediately after the command to keep Shabos, with which...
Purim 5775 אִישׁ יְהוּדִי, הָיָה בְּשׁוּשַׁן הַבִּירָה; וּשְׁמוֹ מָרְדֳּכַי, בֶּן יָאִיר בֶּן-שִׁמְעִי בֶּן-קִישׁ--אִישׁ יְמִינִי - There was a Yehudi man in the capital city of Shushan, whose name was Mordechai, the son of Yair, the son of Shim’i, the son of Kish, a man from the...
This week’s parsha, Parshas Tetzaveh, is replete with details and commands related to the fashioning of the priestly garments, which were worn by the kohanim when they served in the Sanctuary, as a symbol of honor and glory (Ex.28:2). One of the garments worn by the...
In this week’s Parsha, Parshas Terumah, we are commanded regarding the building of the Mishkan, the portable Sanctuary where G-d’s Presence was to dwell, as the Israelites sojourned through the desert. In the command to collect the materials for the construction of the Mishkan, the...
Yesterday was Tu B’Shvat. The New Year for Trees falls during the winter. All things considered, winter is an interesting season in which to celebrate this new year! Of all seasons, this seems the one least likely to be “tree-centered.” Spring - the blossoms, buds...
So often, we find ourselves caught between a rock and a hard place. Life is always good, and sometimes seemingly, not so good. If I go forward, well, it’s “into the sea” and if I go backward, well, it’s right into the arms of my...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Bo, the Israelites are commanded regarding the first national mitzvah, that of Kidush Ha’Chodesh, the sanctification of the new month: הַחֹדֶשׁ הַזֶּה לָכֶם רֹאשׁ חֳדָשִׁים - this month is for you, the first of the months (Ex.12:2). In fact, this...
Parshas Va’era opens as Hashem reiterates to Moshe that He has given the land of Israel to the children of Israel. Not only has He promised us Eretz Yisrael, but He assures Moshe that He will take us out from under the burden of oppression;...