In this week’s Parsha, we read about the fateful meeting between Ya’akov Avinu and his estranged brother, Eisav. In the course of Ya’akov’s preparations, Pasuk 32:23 describes how he assisted his two wives, two maidservants and eleven children cross the Yabok River. … Continue reading
Category Archives: Parsha
Parshas Toldos-Appreciating Rashi
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When I first came to learn in Eretz Yisroel as a young bachur, I learned in the Brisker Yeshiva of HaRav Dovid Soloveitzik shlita. One of the highlights of Yeshiva is Reb Dovid’s Friday night Chumash Shiur, where he would frequently instruct us … Continue reading
Parshas Noach – Birkas HaGomel
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As a guest in Shul, I heard a Rav ask an interesting question. He inquired why Noach at the conclusion of the Mabul brought a Korban Olah and not a Todah, which would more appropriately parallel the Birkas HaGomel required of one who completed a sea … Continue reading
Parshas Shoftim-A Question regarding Divination
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An interesting question occurred to me during Kriyas HaTorah, and I don’t have a good answer off-hand. If anyone has any suggestions, I would very much enjoy hearing them. In Devarim 18:10-11 we are enjoined to avoid various methods of divination, and … Continue reading
Parshas Re’eh-Zebu and Bison
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This week’s Parsha, Re’eh, is one of the places where the Torah delineates which animals are Kosher and which are not. The simplest classification would appear to be the land-dwelling animals, where the relatively straightforward rule that a beast must … Continue reading
Parshas Eikev
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This week’s Parsha, Eikev, contains the famous Pasuk 8:17 regarding כוחי ועוצם ידי. The common interpretation of this verse decries attributing one’s various successes to his physical prowess, and denying Hashem’s managing of events. While this message is certainly true, the … Continue reading
Becoming a Kohein
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In Parshas Korach, Moshe Rabbeinu retorts to Korach’s rebellious demand to be elevated from his births status of a Levi to replace Aharon as a Kohein, רב לכם בני לוי; it is great enough to be a Levi. The Medrash teaches us that Hashem was … Continue reading
Parshas Maasei
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This week’s Parsha, Maasei, lists the various stops that Jewish People made in their 40 year sojourn in the desert. Rashi explains that while there may appear to be an impressive list of locations that would imply constant wandering, the … Continue reading
Parshas Balak
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An important part of Yiddishkeit, especially for someone in a leadership position, is maintaining one’s objectivity and perspective. In this week’s Parsha we have an example of when this does not happen. In Bilam’s second prophesy 23:19, he criticizes Balak … Continue reading
Parshas Chukas
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In this week’s Parsha, Chukas, we learn about the classic inexplicable Chok, the Para Aduma. Chazal tell us that Shlomo HaMelech, the wisest of all men, was capable of understanding the motive and purpose of every Mitzva, until he reached … Continue reading