Ancient Connection – Modern Pioneers
The Mishna in Pirkei Avot teaches us about the definition of strength and heroism: Who is strong? One who overpowers his inclinations. As is stated, “Better one who is slow to anger than one with might, one who rules his spirit than the captor of a city.” The one who is self-disciplined enough to control […]
This week’s parsha describes Moshe as being “the humblest of all people on the face of the earth.” This statement of the Torah is juxtaposed to the unique level of prophecy that Moshe experienced and is clearly intended as the reason for Moshe’s elevated status. How did Moshe, who had such great attributes and achievements, […]
The story of the Jewish people takes them from Egypt to Sinai and ultimately to Yerushalayim. The Maharal describes that these stations reflect a journey into the essentials of Jewish faith. He traces how each stage in this process deepened and broadened the Jewish people’s faith in God. The Exodus from Egypt instilled within the […]
Our parsha discusses the yearly cycle of the holidays. The Jewish calendar follows aunique cycle of wave-like spiritual energy. There are weeks or even months without a holiday inwhich the energy is “low.” Then, we begin to think and prepare for the upcoming holiday withour focus and connection intensifying until we peak at the holiday […]
The name “Pesach” originates with the word used by the Torah to describe God’s saving of the firstborns of the Jewish people: “[God] pasach on the homes of the Jewish people when He smote the Egyptians and saved our homes.” What is the meaning of the word pasach? The simple translation is that it means […]
On Shabbat HaGadol there is a custom to read the chapter of Malachi as the haftorah instead of the standard haftorah for the parsha. The classic explanation for this is that the final verses of the final chapter of Malachi describe the coming of Eliyahu HaNavi to herald the future redemption and therefore it is […]
The Noam Elimelech opens his commentary to our parsha with an astute observation on the first verse of Vayikra. Our parsha begins “And He called to Moshe, and God spoke with him from the Ohel Mo’ed.” From reading the verse in its entirety it is clear that the initial subject of the verse is God. […]
This week was a pivotal week for those of us who are tired of watching the unbridled hatred displayed at the protests taking place across the country. Just today an angry mob surrounded haircutter of Sarah Netanyahu. Other protests have tried to block parliamentarians from getting to the Knesset. What Am Yisrael needs right now […]
This week we remind ourselves that our war against Amalek and other forms of evil is ongoing. It is a struggle. The Torah teaches us that this battle will last “from generation to generation” until Mashiach comes and good triumphs over evil for once and for all. Interestingly, this war begins in an unexpected manner. […]
The structure of the Mishkan consisted of wooden beams. The Torah is careful to delineate that these beams should be made from atzei shttim, or acacia wood. Why is it important for the Torah to record that the beams must be specifically from this type of wood? Rav Yitzhak Yosef Schneerson, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, […]
