Posted on: March 20th, 2014

The Ritvah understands that the kosher signs are not just “signs” indicating that a fish is kosher; rather, they are what actually render the fish kosher. This may also be applied to the kosher signs of an animal, but the Ritvah does not indicate this.

Posted on: March 13th, 2014

The presence of a sacrifice in these covenantal experiences can be looked upon as a celebration of this glorious moment of meeting between God and his people.

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Posted on: March 13th, 2014

Chazal tell us that Moshe functioned in many different capacities. For example, at various times he was considered a king and the equivalent of the Sanhedrin. He was also a kohen gadol, as evidenced by his role during this seven day period.

Posted on: March 13th, 2014

Born in 1933, Sheldon Adelson was the son of Ukrainian immigrants. His father drove a taxi and his mother ran a knitting shop. He grew up in one of the poorest sections of Boston. But even as a young boy he showed great ambition, first selling newspapers on the street corner, and then running his first business at the age of twelve. He went on to build over fifty businesses, eventually owning the Venetian Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. He became a very wealthy man.

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Posted on: March 13th, 2014

If a korban chatas cannot be brought as a nedavah, how can one read the parshah of the korban chatas if he is not certain that he is obligated to bring one?

Posted on: March 7th, 2014

Sometimes, like the tamei individual who must stay away from the Mikdash, we have our limits and disabilities, and we must remember not to attempt those goals which are beyond our reach.

Posted on: March 7th, 2014

Such a misunderstanding would render our words worthless, for we would not be declaring that Hashem is truly the Master of the Universe.

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Posted on: March 7th, 2014

Welcome the book of Leviticus!

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Posted on: March 6th, 2014

Operating the crane is Joe. Joe is overweight and a chain smoker. Another worker approaches Joe and says, “Joe, look at you! 80 pounds overweight, smoking two packs of cigarettes a day. You must do something about your health. Go the gym, work out, and get in shape.”

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Posted on: March 6th, 2014

Esther's name, which means “hidden,” reminds us that at the outset she hides her Jewish identity.

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Posted on: March 6th, 2014

Rav Akiva Eiger questions why semicha is considered a mitzvas assei she’hazman gramma. While it is true that it must be performed during the daytime, this is not because the semicha per se cannot be performed by night.

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Posted on: March 6th, 2014

Besides the lack of appreciation and understanding on the part of knesset Yisrael, Sefer Vayikra has been derided and held in contempt by the nations of the world and other religions.

Posted on: February 28th, 2014

Even if he has committed sins that warrant his rejection from the community, he is never rejected by G-d.

Posted on: February 28th, 2014

Like Dempsey and Gates, leaders must always be cognizant of the costs involved in their decisions – even when the costs are less than human life

Posted on: February 28th, 2014

How do the pieces of this puzzle come together to help us understand how the Torah builds together?

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Posted on: February 28th, 2014

Pekudei is the Hebrew word for reckoning. One way of understanding the meaning of a word in the Torah is to analyze the first time it is found.

Posted on: February 27th, 2014

The Panim Yafos asks: since invariably one of the seven days of miluim must have been Shabbos, how was Moshe able to erect the Mishkan on Shabbos?

Posted on: February 27th, 2014

When a couple makes the conscious decision to have a baby, they use a system Hashem put into place to bring forth a child. They don’t claim to be knowledgeable enough in anatomy to synthesize the proteins needed for growth.

Posted on: February 27th, 2014

The Torah says (Exodus, chapter 28) several times v’nasa Aharon, Aharon was commanded to carry the responsibility of bnei Yisrael, represented by his wearing these garments. This was his masa, the koved, the heavy responsibility of being the intermediary between Hashem and the people. It is a difficult task indeed.

Posted on: February 27th, 2014

Readers who have kept up with this series since its inception will have noted a consistent emphasis on the role women have played in our rich heritage.