by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Mar 20, 2015 | Lifeline
The Book of VaYikra, Leviticus, begins with an unusual phrase that seems redundant: “And He called to Moshe, and G-d spoke to him from the tent of meeting, to say.” Why does G-d first call to Moshe before speaking to him? Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Hirsch...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Mar 13, 2015 | Lifeline
In this week’s reading, Moshe gathers the entire nation to instruct them in the building of the Mishkan, the Sanctuary. He says, “these are the things which G-d has Commanded, for you to do them.” [Ex. 35:1] And then he immediately talks about not...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Feb 27, 2015 | Lifeline
Here we are, at the Shabbos preceding Purim, and what are we going to read about? Lighting the Menorah! Of course, the Torah reading concerns the lighting of the original Menorah by Aharon and his descendants in the Tabernacle and Temple, but it’s still somewhat...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Feb 13, 2015 | Lifeline
Did you know that the city of Chelm truly had wise men? Or that the stories of “The Wise Men of Chelm” were old fables, deliberately cast upon the Rabbis of Chelm to belittle its Sages? This week’s Torah reading comprises a long list of Commandments....
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Feb 6, 2015 | Lifeline
When Yisro comes to meet Moshe and the Jewish Nation, he finds that Moshe is taking questions all day. Moshe explains that everyone who has a question about G-d’s Laws is coming to him for the answer, and everyone with a disagreement is coming to him to know who...
