TORAH SHORTS: Parshat Vayakel-Pekudei: Found in Translation
God employs several translators; some pieces are translated by age, some by sickness, some by war, some by justice. -John Donne
The Social Animal
Regular attendance at a house of worship is the most accurate predictor of altruism, more so than any other factor, including gender, education, income, race, region, marital status, ideology, and age.
Sight, But No Vision: The Sin Of The Spies (Part II)
The letter peh literally means “mouth.” The reason ayin comes before peh in the aleph-beis is to portray the ideal process of spiritual speech.
Evicted
At the time when a person opens his bundle to others, and shares his good fortune with others, he will merit blessing and his heart will be filled with joy.
Raising The Mishkan Before The Wooden Frame
There is a widespread custom to begin reading Shir HaShirim on the first of Nissan, in part because “the first shoots are seen in the land, the time of pruning has arrived, and the voice of the turtle dove can be heard in our land” (Shir HaShirim 2:12).
Looking For Bugs In Produce (Part II)
There is also hilchot treifot. According to the rules of hilchot treifot, we are obligated to check almost every internal organ of an animal. But we don’t. We rely on all types of leniencies and only check the lungs.
Genuine Connection
The Torah does not merely demand that we ‘do certain things.’ The Torah demands that we develop and foster a passionate connection with it.
Turning The Corner (Part I)
Rabbi Pappenheim relates the word zavit to the word ziv (“splendor,” “radiance”), and he offers two different ways of explaining the connection between the passages.
Is Torah-true Judaism inherently aligned with conservative politics, liberal politics, a combination, or neither...
Neither conservative or liberal politics represent Torah politics. There are definitely aspects of each which are in line with Torah perspectives and ethics, and definitely aspects of each that are opposed to Torah perspectives and ethics.
Unity vs. Disunity In The Mishkan
Hashem resorted to Plan B, which began by restoring unity within Am Yisrael, and only when that was in place directing the focus to where it was originally intended.
Around The World In Three Hours
Sadly, I could not even properly enjoy that sumptuous finale to an incredible, opulent meal, because by then my watch registered less than an hour to go before licht bentching!
Promotion Or Prevention Focus
Many first violate smaller sins, and that serves as a gateway to more significant violations. To avoid the dangers of such minor infractions, contemplate deeply on what is above you.
The Crushed Bar Mitzvah Hat
Netanel tried to straighten the hat as best he could since it was Shabbos, but the damage was done. The hat had a clear crease in it and would need to be either reshaped or replaced.
Daf Yomi
Delaying A Funeral To Honor A Deceased
A Nazir May Defile Himself for a Mes Mitzvah
(Nazir 47a)
Q & A: Animal ‘Rights’ And Sacrifices Without Sin (Part II)
Question: I understand that in the time of Moshiach we will return to the offering of animal sacrifices. But on the other hand, if, as we are told, those will be times without sin, then what will we sacrifice? In this modern world, some also argue that animals have rights and thus animal sacrifice is wrong. How do we answer them as well?
Menachem
Via Email
Natural Miracles
The Jews were doing well in Persia. Achashverosh afforded them equal rights and even invited them to his banquet. They did not need the Torah any longer to survive, and were doing just fine without it.
Count Me In- Parshat Ki Tisa
Why does Judaism consider counting people dangerous?
To Look Beneath The Surface
It would appear that we are hopelessly divided, especially at this time. But things are not always as they seem.
The Happy Month Of Adar
What Haman did not know was that Moshe Rabbeinu was also born in the month of Adar, and that day, the Talmud relates, helped avert the evil decree.
If Not Now
The mishna implies that it is important to do things, not just in this world and while we are young, but also achshav – now, right away, as soon as possible.
Purifying The Body So The Soul Can Serve Hashem
Following the victory over our physical enemies and the threat to our bodies, we must still overcome the spiritual obstacles placed in the physical world to dissuade us from achieving our destiny.
Revitalizing Our Prayers (Part III)
I believe the explanation for the front-seat positioning of Techias HaMeisim, the resurrection, is that it is the single greatest asset that a person has. Everything else is only temporal-for 120 years.
Parshat Ki Tisa – Israel’s Underlying Unity
Through a heightened awareness of Israel's true inner essence, we can see past the sharp ideological divisions and appreciate the intrinsic unity beneath and beyond our surface disputes.
Beyond Bubble Wrap
In a superficial society so focused on externals this is true on many levels. But perhaps it is never truer than regarding the holiday of Purim.
Who Is Worthy To Build The Mishkan?
It is possible to teach a child a Divine crash course in metalwork or stone masonry overnight, but you cannot give a crash course in childlike innocence.
Looking For Bugs In Produce – How Far Must One Go? (Part I)
Let’s be honest. Corn on the cob has always been consumed, along with many other fruits and vegetables that Rav Vaye’s rulings have forbidden (or considerably regulated).
Sight, But No Vision: The Sin Of The Spies (Part I)
As human beings, we have the remarkable ability to jump to conclusions, assuming that we know the truth of a situation when we, in fact, have completely misjudged it.
The Closeness Of G-d
We cannot see G-d’s face; we cannot understand G-d’s ways; but we can encounter G-d’s glory whenever we build a home for His presence here on earth.
Are You Sure You Wouldn’t Have Worshiped the Golden Calf?
The Torah is based on the spot-on premise that basic features of the human condition remain constant throughout history
Complete Faith
Before I left, my father – who saw in which direction I was heading – told me: Yossel, you’re going to Eretz Yisrael, and we will be separated. It is possible that this will be the last time we will see each other. Please, I beg you, come with me to the Rebbe of Slonim to get his bracha.
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