Chag ha’Succos 5783, zman simcha’sainu - the time of our rejoicing. In regard to the mitzvos of Succos, the Torah tells us: וּלְקַחְתֶּ֨ם לָכֶ֜ם בַּיּ֣וֹם הָרִאשׁ֗וֹן פְּרִ֨י עֵ֤ץ הָדָר֙ כַּפֹּ֣ת תְּמָרִ֔ים וַעֲנַ֥ף עֵץ־עָבֹ֖ת וְעַרְבֵי־נָ֑חַל וּשְׂמַחְתֶּ֗ם לִפְנֵ֛י ה’ אֱלֹק֔יכֶ֖ם שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים - And you shall take for...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Nitzavim, Moshe Rabbeinu teaches the nation about the mitzvah of teshuva, repentance and return. Not for naught is this parsha read erev Rosh Hashana, as we prepare to leave 5782 and enter the new year of 5783. The mitzvah of...
This week’s parsha, Parshas Ki Savo, begins with the mitzvah of Bikkurim, the first fruits of the shivas ha’minim (blessed produce species of Eretz Yisrael; Devarim 8:8) that the landowner brings, in a celebratory procession, up to the Beis HaMikdash, preferably from Shavuos through Succos...
This week’s parsha, Parsha Ki Seitzei, begins with the unusual and remarkable mitzvah of the Eishes Yefas To’ar, the woman of beautiful appearance. When the Bnei Yisrael go to war, and the Jewish soldier sees an attractive female among the enemy, the Torah outlines the...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Shoftim, the Torah commands the Bnei Yisrael to establish Arei Miklat, cities of refuge, where one who killed someone accidentally would run to seek safety and refuge from the go’el ha’dam, the redeemer of blood, of the deceased person. As...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Re’eh, Moshe Rabbeinu’s soliloquy to the nation continues. The parsha begins with the following stirring words: רְאֵ֗ה אָנֹכִ֛י נֹתֵ֥ן לִפְנֵיכֶ֖ם הַיּ֑וֹם בְּרָכָ֖ה וּקְלָלָֽה, See I place before you today blessing and curse; אֶֽת־הַבְּרָכָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּשְׁמְע֗וּ אֶל־מִצְוֺת֙ ה’ אֱלֹֽקְיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֧ר אָנֹכִ֛י מְצַוֶּ֥ה...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Eikev, the great orator, teacher and leader, Moshe Rabbeinu, continues to speak to the nation from whom he is about to part ways. In reminding them of their years of desert travels and wanderings, Moshe tells the nation - and...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Va’Eschanan, Moshe Rabbeinu reviews the Aseres ha’Dibros, the Ten Commandments (lit. ‘the Ten Declarations’), with the nation. The Aseres ha’Dibros, which were given to the first generation at the foothills of Sinai forty years prior, are now repeated for the...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Devarim, the fifth book of Torah opens with the following words: אֵלֶּה הַדְּבָרִים, אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר מֹשֶׁה אֶל-כָּל-יִשְׂרָאֵל, בְּעֵבֶר, הַיַּרְדֵּן: בַּמִּדְבָּר בָּעֲרָבָה מוֹל סוּף בֵּין-פָּארָן וּבֵין-תֹּפֶל וְלָבָן וַחֲצֵרֹת--וְדִי זָהָב - these are the words that Moshe spoke to all of Israel on...
In Parshas Matos, the first of this week’s double parshios (chutz la’aretz), the Torah teaches us about a startling exchange between the Bnei Gad, Bnei Reuven and Moshe Rabbeinu. It is year forty of desert wanderings. The nation stands poised to imminently enter the Land,...