TORAH SHORTS: Parshat Vaetchanan: Memory Power
Memory is the cabinet of the imagination, the treasury of reason, the registry of conscience, and, the council chamber of thought. -Giambattista Basile
Parshat V’et’hanan: The Power of Tefillah
As characters participating in one of history’s most incredible chapters, we focus our efforts on the specific challenges facing our generation.
A Precious Gift
Rav Shach asks: Why did Moshe Rabbeinu wish to remain in the world like an animal or a bird? He answers that every living being has a specific mission in life through which the honor of Hashem is increased and spread.
Say Thank You Before Please
The purpose of performing even the most basic mitzvot is in order that they should not be forgotten when we return to Eretz Yisrael.
Seeing The Redemption
After the many stages of return from exile and rectification of our spiritual and intellectual state, which we will hopefully encounter in the coming weeks, the last step is to repair the physical body.
Shabbos Nachamu And The Quicksand Of Family Feuding
It seems that Hashem could have lived in harmony with us and could have looked away from our indiscretions towards Him. He simply could not bear to ‘stick around’ and watch when His children weren’t getting along one with another...
Don’t Say Sinas Chinam
Today’s political left and right share certain policies, but they inhabit a milieu of pain and conflict which forms a very substantive basis for feelings of hatred.
Was Moshe a Success or a Failure?
How might Moshe looked back upon his life? Ironically, the man unsurpassed in so many ways may actually have seen himself as a failure. Yet that is certainly the impression one gets from reading through most of this book.
Between The Line Of The Torah
It is fascinating to consider that, though He looks at us always, He does not seem too often to intervene, He does not punish or reward us in obvious ways.
Unity for Mincha
An individual may bring a Mincha offering, but it may not be offered in partnership, yet it's a communal offering.
Parshat D’varim – When Rabbis Err
Our sages warn us of the possibility that great Torah scholars can lead Israel away from serving HaShem.
Be Good
Here is some practical advice regarding our current period of mourning as we approach Tisha B'Av.
Revitalizing Our Prayers – Part Seventeen
Perhaps we still call our silent devotion Shemoneh Esrei, or Eighteen, even though in reality it is now nineteen, out of respect for the Anshei K’nesses HaGedolah, or because eighteen is the gematria of chai, life, emphasizing that we are actually praying for our lives and our livelihoods.
Becoming A Chariot
In general, in Jewish literature, association with animals is seen in a pejorative light. While certainly not anti-animal, classical Judaism sees humanity unequivocally as superior to the animals, following the account of Creation in the Torah.
The Three of Catastrophe
Normally choose a Haftara that corresponds to Parshat Hashavua, but not during the Three Weeks.
Our Constant Challenge
Indeed, we know what is of primary and what is of secondary importance in life, yet this understanding is not always easy to apply.
Enemies of the Creator – Parshat Matot
By waging war on Israel, even if not consciously aware of its inner motivation, a person or group is declaring war against the Source of all Creation.
TORAH SHORTS: Parshat Matot-Masai: Levels of Control
Nothing is more dangerous than a friend without discretion; even a prudent enemy is preferable. -Jean de La Fontaine
Setting Boundaries
The Ran expounds that one who builds a personal altar could mistakenly believe that he is actually doing a mitzvah by being extraordinarily scrupulous in offering sacrifices to Hashem. He doesn’t realize, though, that he is in fact committing a grave sin.
Revitalizing Our Prayers – Part Sixteen
The Malbim defines Judges as those who govern the laws of jurisprudence between man and his fellow, while the Advisors are those who give us counsel to succeed in our relationship with Hashem.
The Mitzvah Of Settling The Land
According to Rashi, it is the will of Hashem that the nations residing in the land of Israel when the people of Israel cross the river be banished and eradicated.
More Is Less
At each stop the Jews learned another lesson about how to rid themselves of their Egyptian ways.
The Need To Knead
Although men are also obligated to do so, this mitzvah is primarily incumbent on women and they are given preference in performing it. Sarah was the first woman in history to perform this mitzvah.
Pure Hypocrisy – Parshat Pinchas
Sinning, while purporting to do something positive, is hypocrisy par excellence.
The Divine Soul
In fact, our sages tell us that Pinchas did not concern himself at all with his physical needs. Rather he served Hashem with truth and sincerity, only heeding the spiritual benefit in his life.
TORAH SHORTS: Parshat Pinchas: Counter-productive Ambition
The very substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream. -William Shakespeare
Revitalizing Our Prayers – Part Fifteen
How surprised I was when he answered with a flourish that the most important blessing of the Shemoneh Esrei is T’kah b’shofar gadol l’cheiruseinu, our bracha that we beseech Hashem to initiate the final Redemption!
Legacy of a Zealot – Parshat Pinchas
A true pursuer of peace/completeness is one who identifies the obstacles to HaShem’s Ideal for this world and works passionately to remove them.
The Supreme Stamp Of Approval
The Korban Sotah in Marah removed all doubts from the minds of Bnei Yisrael regarding the integrity of their families.
Inherit The Torah
It is of interest, say the Sages, that Moshe’s request for a new leader immediately follows the inheritance of the daughters of Tzlofchad.