The Parsha Experiment – Nitzavim: How To Make Sense Of The Terrible Curses II
To understand God's curses at the end of the Torah, we have to follow a trail all the way back, to Creation, and the Garden of Eden
Seeing The Judgment
There is a period of fact finding, a period of deliberation, and then the decision is read for all to hear. At that point, the judge, the jury, the defendant, and all in attendance know the ruling.
A Favorable Judgment
Why is it necessary for one to perform teshuvah over the performance of any other mitzvah?
Parshas Ki Savo: ‘How And Where’
Each mitzvah and each holiday is a guide and a map
Sharing The Fruit
The visitor does not hand over his basket of First Fruits; he first shares it with the Temple representative. This is not a ceremony of give and take but of sharing.
Using Visualizations
Studies show that not only do athletes who use them improve, but so do many other people whose activities require peak performance.
The Bikurim Passage
It seems from the Vilna Gaon and the Ra’avan that shomei’a k’oneh would not work for reciting the parshah of bikurim. But why not?
The Parsha Experiment – Ki Tavo: How To Make Sense Of The Terrible Curses
Ki Tavo is so difficult to read; how could Hashem be so cruel to us? Join us as we grapple with the incredibly difficult curses of this week's parsha
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Ki Tavo: Amalek, Bikkurim and Ma’aser
Many commentators sense a significance to the placement of the bikkurim declaration, at the beginning of this week’s pasha, right after the injunction to destroy Amalek. What is the connection?
G-d’s Anger Never Lasts
Just as Noach established and created a certain merit for himself when being saved, so too Bnei Yisrael need to do the same in order to be redeemed.
Outcomes And Intentions
So if on the previous Rosh Hashanah, Shimon had a decree of a year of life, then there is nothing Reuven or any other force in existence could do to change that.
Sins, Sculptors & Circumcision
Since each month is aligned with a particular shevet and constellation, we can inform ourselves of the qualities of the month through them.
Polygamy
The Torah explicitly says that a husband may divorce his wife if he so pleases. How can Rabbenu Gershom forbid this practice when the Torah seemingly permits it?
The Parsha Experiment – Ki Teitzei
Though related to the 10 commandments, what is the larger message that this list of laws in parsha Ki Teitzei is coming to teach us?
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Ki Tetzhe: Yehoshua the Conqueror
Battling Amalek presents an important warning to any Jewish military leader that there is a need to maintain a basic respect for what it means to be human, even when dealing with mortal enemies.
The Parsha Experiment – Shoftim: Is This Just A Boring Parsha?
If the entire book of Deuteronomy is supposed to be Moshe's rousing speech before the nation enters Israel, how can we understand the mundane text of Parshat Shoftim?
Planting Next To A Shul
When I first encountered this explanation, I took issue with it. For even if a shul’s courtyard does not possess kedushah, planting in it could still be prohibited.
The Foundation Stone: Parshat Shoftim: Seeking Justice
If we succeed in developing a strong sense of justice in our homes and communities, perhaps our prayer for God to restore justice will be justly heard and accepted.
If I Were A Rich Man
At the same time, a king is expected to remain humble. The Torah isn’t afraid the great honor accorded to him will bring him to arrogance.
Parshas Reeh: Give With Faith
A person who gives charity dolefully or begrudgingly demonstrates that his faith is somewhat wanting and he has not fully fulfilled the mitzvah of giving charity.
Writing Hashem’s Name
The Dovev Meisharim (chelek 1, 18:3) quotes the Divrei Chaim who says that writing all four letters of the name simultaneously is considered writing the name out of order.
The Foundation Stone: A Sense Of Place
This week's portion, Re'ei, speaks of our need for a sense of place, how difficult it often is to find, and how we must protect others' sense of place.
Life: The School Of Growth
By gradually increasing the workload, the body is called upon to respond. The work should never be easy.
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Reeh: The Taste for Blood and the Imperative of Relevance
Is the Torah to be read exactly as the Jews who received it would have, or, is it actually to be read in a contemporary way that can't possibly be the same as those who first received the Torah?
Shabbos Mevorchim Elul
Deep contemplation, loyalty, ambition and intelligence define the traits of one born in Elul, the month symbolized by Virgo, a sign of purity.
Parshat Eikev
A leader must be aware of and responsible for all details on the ship - big or small.
Earning A Living: The Great Life Test
While the sincerity of the little fellow might be touching, he is missing the point.
Bentching After Eating Mon
They bentched nonetheless, though, because they were given a specific mitzvah to thank Hashem for the mon.
Torah Cafe: The Parsha Experiment – Eikev: Appreciating Our Creators
Is it possible God afflicted the nation of Israel through the past 40 years of the desert, withholding food and water from them...on purpose? How can we have a relationship with a God like that?