In this week’s parsha, Parshas Shemini, we are commanded regarding ma’achalos mutaros and ma’achalos asuros - permitted and forbidden foodstuffs. And Hashem spoke to Moshe and to Aharon, to say to them: דַּבְּרוּ אֶל-בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, לֵאמֹר: זֹאת הַחַיָּה אֲשֶׁר תֹּאכְלוּ, מִכָּל-הַבְּהֵמָה אֲשֶׁר עַל-הָאָרֶץ, speak to...
Chag Ha’Pesach 5781 is upon us. After a difficult year for our world, our nation, our communities and our Land, as we battled the various difficulties - and terrible losses, Hashem yerachem - that came along with the COVID pandemic, we are poised to once...
With the completion of the Mishkan at the end of Sefer Shemos, where G-d’s Presence rested, symbolized by a Cloud by day and Fire by night (Shemos 40:38), in this week’s parsha, Parshas Vayikra, we move into the mitzvos regarding korbanos with full force. Now...
In the second of this week’s parshios, Parshas Pekudei, after many months of a labor of love, the Mishkan is finally erected. The promise of וְעָשׂוּ לִי, מִקְדָּשׁ; וְשָׁכַנְתִּי בְּתוֹכָם, and You shall make for Me a Sanctuary, so that I will dwell amongst them...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Ki Sisa, G-d continues to instruct Moshe regarding the construction of the Mishkan, the Tabernacle. In this week’s parsha we learn of the Kiyyor, the copper laver that stood outside of the Mishkan proper, in the courtyard. The purpose of...
וַיְהִי בִּימֵי אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ: הוּא אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ, הַמֹּלֵךְ מֵהֹדּוּ וְעַד-כּוּשׁ--שֶׁבַע וְעֶשְׂרִים וּמֵאָה מְדִינָה, and it was in the days of Achashvairosh, he was Achashvairosh, who ruled from Hodu to Kush, one hundred and twenty seven provinces (Esther 1:1). In an age-old narrative that we are all familiar...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Terumah, the Bnei Yisrael are commanded regarding the building of the Mishkan, the Sanctuary that would accompany them during their desert wanderings, from where the Almighty would dwell amongst them (keviyachol) and within them (Shemos 25:8), and where the kohanim...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Mishpatim, we are introduced to the myriad of laws that follow the great Revelation at Sinai. The majority of the mitzvos in Mishpatim are mitzvos bein adam l’chavairo, laws governing interaction between man and fellow man. As opposed to the...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Yisro, the Bnei Yisrael arrive at the foothills of Mt. Sinai on Rosh Chodesh Sivan. It is here that the most exalted, awe-inspiring, life-altering and nation-forming Revelation takes place, as the Almighty reveals Himself to the nation with the giving...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Beshalach, we read of the famous salvation at the Sea of Reeds. Having just left Egypt, the former Israelite slaves are journeying through the desert, en route to freedom, when wicked Pharaoh has a change of heart. וַיֵּהָפֵךְ לְבַב פַּרְעֹה...