Parshas Bamidbar begins the fourth of the five books of Torah, and with its opening, the Children of Israel prepare to depart from Mt. Sinai. It was at Mt. Sinai that they witnessed the great Revelation, received the Torah and mitzvos, bound themselves by oath...
In this week’s parsha (in chutz la’Aretz), Parshas Bechukosai, we read the tochacha: the great rebuke foretold to us, shall the nation throw off the yoke of Torah and mitzvos. The Torah promises us that terrible tragedies will befall our people. The pasukim are painful,...
This week’s parsha (in chutza la’aretz), Parshas Emor, teaches us about the mitzvos of Shemitta (the seventh Sabbatical year) and Yovel (the 50th Jubilee), both of which are mitzvos ha’te’luyos ba’aretz (land dependent mitzvos that are only relevant and applicable in Eretz Yisrael). The parsha begins...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Emor (in chutz la’aretz), the Torah records the entire cycle of holidays of the Jewish calendar year (Vayikra 23). The shalosh regalim, as well as the yomim noraim, are outlined and recorded in the parsha. At the very end of...
This week’s parsha (in chutz la’aretz), Parshas Kedoshim, instructs us regarding many mitzvos bein adam la’chavairo - between man and his fellow. After many parshios (from Vayikra through Achrei Mos) full of esoteric concepts related to the Mikdash, korbanos, tumah and ta’harah, with Kedoshim we...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Achrei Mos, the Torah commands us regarding a lengthy list of forbidden sexual relationships (Lev.18). At the conclusion of the long list of what is forbidden, the Torah warns us not to defile ourselves so that the Land of Israel...
Chag Ha’Pesach 5782, Zman Chei’ro’seinu - the time of our freedom - the holiday of redemption when we celebrate the great Exodus from Egypt that give birth to our nation. And yet, the past two years - and the most recent months and weeks -...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Metzorah, the Torah continues to teach us about negah tzara’as - the affliction of tzara’as. The pasuk tells us: כִּי תָבֹאוּ אֶל-אֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן, אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי נֹתֵן לָכֶם לַאֲחֻזָּה; וְנָתַתִּי נֶגַע צָרַעַת, בְּבֵית אֶרֶץ אֲחֻזַּתְכֶם - When you come to the...
In addition to the weekly Torah reading of Parshas HaShavua, Parshas Tazria, this Shabbos - Rosh Chodesh Nissan - we will read from an additional sefer Torah, in what is known as Parshas Ha’Chodesh, literally “the Portion of the Month.” Parshas Ha’Chodesh is the fourth of...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Shemini, after commanding us regarding ma’achaalos mutaros and asuros (permitted and forbidden food-stuffs), including animals, fowl, and fish (Vayikra 11), the pasuk commands us: כִּי אֲנִי ה’, אֱלֹקְיכֶם, וְהִתְקַדִּשְׁתֶּם וִהְיִיתֶם קְדֹשִׁים, כִּי קָדוֹשׁ אָנִי - For I am Hashem, your...