Ancient Connection – Modern Pioneers
There is a war against the renewal of Jewish life in Jerusalem’s Old City and surrounding neighborhoods. In fact, there is an official fatwa (religious decree) from the PA barring Arab Muslims from selling land or houses to Jews. The punishment for breaking this law is death. “Palestine is kharaj land (i.e., land belonging to […]
Our parsha opens with God’s charge to the Jewish people: “Be Holy!” What is the precise meaning of this mandate? Rabbi Shimon Shkop offers a fascinating interpretation. He writes that “hakdashah” or “sanctification” in Jewish law always refers to the designation of an item to a specific and higher purpose. For example, if one has […]
The Jewish people left the Egypt in a haste. On the night of the first Seder they had to show their hurriedness by eating with their walking sticks and travel clothing. Then, they were rushed out by the Egyptians and did not have time for their dough to leaven. Interestingly, though, this hurriedness seems to […]
This week’s haftorah focuses on Shlomo’s prayer upon completing the construction of the Beit HaMikdash. He begins with a statement that “God dwells in the heavy cloud,” referring to the “cloud” of the Divine Presence that had just filled the Beit Mikdash. He soon turns to the people and describes that God had never before […]
After receiving the donations for the Mishkan, Moshe informs the Jewish people that God appointed Betzalel and Ahali’av to lead the building operations. Interestingly, the Torah does not suffice with their names but specifies that they were from the tribes of Yehuda and Dan, respectively. Why is this tidbit of information important? Rabbeinu Saadya Gaon […]
It is no secret that names play an important role in telling a story or setting a scene. Since 1967 – the Israeli Left who may have purposely forgotten some of their Jewish roots and heritage, refer to the lands that were “liberated or conquered” by Israel from Jordan in the Six Day War as the West […]
It is common to think of Judaism as a religion of hearing. As a non-pagan religion that believes in a single invisible God who does not have a shape or form, we often rely on listening to God as the means of becoming close to Him. Perhaps the most famous verse in the Torah is […]
Our parsha discusses the momentous events of God giving the Jewish people the Torah at Har Sinai. As one would expect, when God appeared on the mountain, the space becomes imbued with sanctity. The Torah elaborates in great detail the extent of the preparations and precautions that the Jewish people took to properly relate to […]
Jewish unity is an important value in the Torah. God only rests his presence on the Jewish people when they are unified. We are told that the Jewish people were as one person with one heart when God gave them the Torah. Considering the importance of this unity, we must inquire about how it practically […]
Our parsha opens with the broadest of all possible lenses. While Moshe is beset with pain over the Jewish people’s current suffering, God tells him about the bright future of this people. God says that He will take them out from Egypt, give them the Torah, bring them to the promised land and they will […]
