Redeeming Relevance / Rabbi Francis Nataf

So what is melakhah, and how is it different than avodah? And why is that only Moshe sees it that way. Finally, why is blessing something that seems to flow directly out of it?

Three laws seemingly unconnected and out of place: theft from a convert; sotah; and nazir. Why are they here, in Parshat naso?

Rambam warns that a festival meal without taking care of the needy isn't fulfilling simchat yom tov

Yehudah, more suited to the role, became leader and not Yosef- the very public candidate for the job

Moshe viewed his speech impediment as part of his core identity and his intrinsic human imperfection

Most of Devarim is Moshe’s series of parting lectures to the Jewish people. Two things about them are clearly felt – the first is that they are long, often abstract and sometimes even appear repetitive; and the second is that Moshe accordingly uses diverse tactics to keep the Jews listening.

The actual tale of Rivkah and Esav is of a mother who continued to care and love a delinquent child who became a problematic adult, proving she will always be his mother and he will always be her son.

Wishing all a Happy New Year-but when?

In this week’s parsha, the Torah further develops the statement that opens Parshat Kedsohim, the need to be 'Kadosh.'

Seven is possibly the most significant number in Jewish Thought.

If I am indeed correct that each of the four descriptions of Yitzchak represents a different aspect of the test and Avraham is only congratulated for two, could it not be that Avraham did not pass the two aspects of the test that went unmentioned?

Some people get angry at the Jewish calendar. It takes away their ability to decide when they want to rejoice, when they want to...

But the Torah was given to real people, for whom love of the outsider would not always be so obvious.

In our day of media over-reporting, we often think that we should know everything about our leaders. Perhaps it is better to know too little than too much. For when it comes to ethics, the Torah spares no one in reporting what falls short of the mark.

The Torah knows that we are likely to understand the journey in the desert as essentially one long trip. And so it tries to make us stop and realize that there were actually two journeys and not just one. The first ended with the death of Aharon; the second began with resistance from the Canaanite king

“I have learned much from my teachers and even more from my friends, but from my students I have learned most of all” (Taanit 7a). 

The 10 Statements main point was not content but the encounter between G-d & His nation, Israel

It might seem easier to pray alone to God, rather than with the various distractions of a communal setting. True, Jewish law actually recognizes this and tries to minimize these distractions by recommending a set seat, prohibiting holding objects, etc. Still, the many distractions are impossible to completely eliminate. Yet in spite of its drawbacks, we derive strength from doing things together with a group.

Apparently, God is only actively engaged when man is conscious of Him

Is this the only question we should ask?

With the 10 Commandments, G-d is described as the One who took the Jews out of Egypt. In Parshat Kedoshim, He is described simply as being "holy." Both phrases set the tone for the list that follows.

If we truly want to be involved in Torah study, than we, ipso facto, are involved in Torah study.

The most outstanding Torah scholar may not be the greatest mentor and visa-versa. It is wonderful (and convenient) when we can find someone, who is “one-stop shopping.” Yet the story of Rav Kahana shows us that life is not always so tidy.

The incident of the spies was a completely new and problematic transgression, it was not toward the rarified wilderness, but rather toward the earthly existence promised in the Land of Israel.

The notion that all men are created equal is a modern myth. The truth is that all men are created differently

God wants man to maximize benefit from Creation only in ways that don’t compromise spiritual health

At the beginning of this week's parsha, Rashi informs us that Sarah's death was no accident, but rather a result of hearing about Avraham...

This is not to say that there is no such thing as a wrong turn. Though we can even learn from a mistaken path, we have good reason to want to avoid it.

What about the Temple service required God to intervene commanding Aaron what he needed to wear?

How could Ya’akov make the same 'mistake' as his father, to favor one child over another after all the troubles that plagued him resulting from Yitzchak favoring Esav?