Mikdash Melekh: the Unsung Theme of Lecha Dodi
On the eve of Shabbat, in practically every Jewish community in the world, a beautiful piyyut is recited as part…
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Returning the Lost Jews to Jerusalem
Our parsha mentions the mitzvah of hashavat aveidah (returning a lost object): You shall not see your brother’s ox or…
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The Return to God’s Table
There are two ways for us to serve God: as slaves and as children. In multiple places the Torah declares…
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Feeling Awe In Jerusalem
In our parsha, Moshe highlights the importance of fearing God. In an important summary statement, Moshe delineates some of the…
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The City of Loyalty
This week’s haftorah consists of Yeshayahu’s haunting prophecy regarding the corruption and future punishment of the Jewish people. While most…
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Swearing By Jerusalem
Our parsha opens with a discussion of oaths and vows. To be a bonified vow, the person taking the vow…
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The Integrated Memory of Jerusalem
Bringing the sacrifices in the Mishkan and the Beit HaMikdash is referred to as an “avodah” or service of God.…
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The Leadership of Jerusalem
Korach did not believe in the divinely ordained structure of Jewish leadership. In a cynical and populist fashion he claimed:…
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The Heroic Builders of Jerusalem
The Mishna in Pirkei Avot teaches us about the definition of strength and heroism: Who is strong? One who overpowers…
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Humility and the Sun of Jerusalem
This week’s parsha describes Moshe as being “the humblest of all people on the face of the earth.” This statement…
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