Bundled Together Lifnei Hashem
Only once a year was entry into the Kodesh HaKadoshim sanctioned. With the service of the haktarat haketoret, the burning…
Read MoreHunting the Fox in Our Midst
The tractate of Makkot famously ends with the story of four tannaitic sages ascending to see Jerusalem. Rabban Gamliel, Rebbe…
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God in Your Encampment
Last week, we discussed the strange phenomenon of the Kohen Meshuach Milchama. This is a sanctified office of kehunah solely…
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Anointed for War: Jerusalem Leads Us Into Battle
This week’s Torah portion describes various halachot pertaining to war. Given what has transpired over the last 10 months, the…
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The Daughters of Israel are Beautiful, All of Israel are Princes
Last week, we discussed the miraculous redemption of Rebbe Yishmael ben Elisha. After rescuing the grandson of Rebbe Yishamel Kohen…
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Rebbe Yehoshua ben Chananya: the Redemption of Rebbe Yishmael
Rebbe Yehoshua ben Chananya was one of the chief disciples of Rebbe Yochanan ben Zakkai. As we discussed last week,…
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Rebbe Yochanan ben Zakkai: Redeeming the Sparks of the Arzei Levanon
Rebbe Yochanan ben Zakkai, one of the greatest disciples of Hillel haZaken, was the chief Torah leader who witnessed the…
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God’s Divine Irony and the Arch of Titus
Commissioned by the Emperor Domitian in honor of his now “deified” brother Titus, the famed Arch of Titus still stands…
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Hashem’s Tefillin and the Tiferet of Jerusalem
The Gemara Berachot (6a) famously makes a fascinating and astounding assertion. HaKadosh Baruch Hu “wears” tefillin that contain verses referencing…
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The Arzei Levanon of Jerusalem: Rebbe Yishmael Kohen Gadol
Last week, we discussed the martyrdom of Rebbe Shimon ben Gamliel, the first of the asarah harguei malchut. Hazal tell…
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