The Sacrificial Gesture
How many times have any of us said to ourselves: “I felt so badly that I wanted to die.” And yet, G-d does not demand that of us. He wants us to live and do teshuvah.
Remember To Erase The Memory
On the stage of history, we have been taught that Hashem often uses the wicked to destroy the wicked. One evil nation will conquer another, only in due course to be conquered by the next to arise.
Getting Excited For The Right Reason
On Shabbat we finished reading the book of Exodus with its emotional description of the completion of the Mishkan, the spiritual center that accompanied us in the desert. This apparently was the first crowd-funding endeavor of our people.
TORAH SHORTS: Parshat Vayikra: Prepared for Holiness
Most people have the will to win, few have the will to prepare to win. -Bobby Knight (all-time great college basketball coach)
Purifying The Inner Essence
The offering of the korbanos in itself does not achieve atonement. It is when the person’s mind and heart are overcome with thoughts of teshuvah that there is atonement.
A Purim Commitment
We are in the land of “What have you done for me lately?” where the standard is “What’s in it for me?”
Sacrifices and Banquets – Vayikra
If the sin originated with food, then its remedy and atonement must involve food. This is why Purim is so food oriented...
Shabbat In Kharkov, Ukraine
Alexander Kaganovsky, president of our cong. asked for silence and said: 'I want to thank all the emissaries who have stayed behind with us. For many years you have been saying that you are an inseparable part of us, but now you proved it in the moment of truth.'
Redeeming Relevance: Achashverosh and the Evil of Neutrality
When it came to the “Jewish question,” Achashverosh seemed to be completely neutral. So how could he be as bad as the man who destroyed the Temple?
A Glimpse Into Mordechai’s Greatness
It was Mordechai's pivotal decision not to bow or budge before Haman that catapulted the Jews into a situation of possible annihilation, and it was he who commanded Esther, his own wife, to risk her life to save her people.
Pekudei: Continuing The Work Moshe Began
It's important to recognize the internal development of the Hebrew tribes from the Exodus from Egypt to the Brit Sinai and consecration of the Mishkan.
Words That Work Mischief
One word of derision can offset a thousand words of mussar.
The Moon Of The Steadfast
In our haftara, we find Shlomo HaMelech completing the construction and initiating the dedication of the First Beit HaMikdash. In Shlomo we find a unique synthesis of the attributes of Moshe and of Betzalel.
10,000
These last two years have demonstrated how vital it is to feel solidarity not only toward those who have passed away but toward those who have been sick but are not yet fully recovered, toward business owners, toward coping parents, and, in fact, toward everyone who has been affected,--which means every one of us.
In The Merit Of The Righteous
Our Sages tell us that righteous men and women merit that their descendants continue in their ways.
To Kill, In The Sanctuary Of Hashem, A Kohen And A Navi
The wickedness of men and women can live long after they are gone.
Vayaq’hel: Actualizing The Mishkan
If Dan is the extreme expression of Yosef in the same way that Shimon is of Yehuda, what was the importance of appointing tribesmen of Yehuda and Dan to lead the construction of the Mishkan?
Pick A Side
Baal and his prophets are not worth the time or the energy of the last remaining prophet to Hashem. His mission is to the people of Israel who have abandoned the service of Hashem.
When Protest Must Be Raised
If one is quiet, it indicates that the matter at hand does not concern him.
The Joy Of Adar Is Spreading The Joy
The old adage, the best present you can give to your children is more of your presence, is an extremely vital concept. So too is the famous acronym for the word “family” – “Father and Mother I Love You.”
Ki Tisa: Crisis Of The Golden Calf
A mistake that nearly had catastrophic results for the entire people of Israel ultimately revealed Moshe's true greatness as a national leader.
Five Compliments for Every One Criticism
Many years ago, I took my children to the Museum of Natural History in Manhattan. A guide took us around and was patiently describing...
TORAH SHORTS: Parshat Tetzave: Acolytes of an Anonymous Sage
Avoid popularity if you would have peace. -Abraham Lincoln
Lighting Until The Flame Rises On Its Own
Initially, we have the task of simply lighting a fire. To educate, to explain, to pay close attention and to inspire.
This Is The Torah Of The House Upon The Mountain
When the navi Yechezel is given a vision of the third Beit HaMikdash, he is commanded to teach its measurements and dimensions to the people of Israel. The people to whom he delivers this prophecy have yet to build the second Beit HaMikdash, so it's a bit incongruous to be speaking of a third.
Tetzave: The Purpose Of The Kohanim
By submerging individual identity into the collective Hebrew nation, the kohanim work to cleanse the children of Israel from all transgressions and to inspire the people with a powerful show of kedusha.
Reward And Embarrassment
R’ Simcha Bunim noted, If you want to go collecting you need a coat with two pockets. One for the honor that some will give you, and the other is for the ridicule that will come your way.
TORAH SHORTS: Parshat Trumah: Divine Charity Cycle
The human contribution is the essential ingredient. It is only in the giving of oneself to others that we truly live. -Ethel Percy Andrus
Tzedakah – The Very Best Investment
It is considered very mature to salt away money for our retirement. But let’s ask ourselves: If we retire at 65, how long will retirement be? Another 50 years?
T’ruma: Mystery Of The Kruvim
What can the Mishkan teach us about the ways Divine revelation is channeled into our world?