Impression Discretion
Abraham's two children, Yitzchak (Isaac) and Yishmael (Ishmael), were at first raised in the same household. Abraham and Sarah had been miraculously blessed with Yitzchok, their first and only child, while Yishmael was born to Abraham and Hagar, Sarah's maidservant,...
The Benefits of Being Separate
Our reading this week begins, “And G-d said to Avram, go for yourself, from your land, and from your birthplace, and from the house of your father, to the land that I will show you” [Gen. 12:1] Rav Shamson Raphael Hirsch explains that this is in no way repetitive....
Turning Signals
Last week's Torah portion described the degradation of mankind leading up to the flood (the Mabul) — "G-d saw that the evil of man was great in the land, and all thoughts of his heart were only evil, all the time (Genesis 6:5)." G-d decided to erase his original...
Viduy Verbalized
We are now in the "Ten Days of Teshuva (commonly translated as repentance)." The elements of Teshuva are verbal confession, regret, refraining from the negative behavior and pledging to do better.Verbal confession, Viduy, can be found explicitly in the Yom Kippur...
New for the New Year
A righteous and well respected Rabbi was mourning the loss of his father. Because of his great sensitivity towards his father and the Mitzvah of respecting his parents, he was deeply concerned that he had not shown proper respect to his father during his lifetime. He...
First Fruits Forever
This week's reading begins with the Commandment of Bikkurim, bringing the first fruits to the Holy Temple, and other gifts that were given to the Priests, Levites and the poor. Having finished the process at the end of the third year, the farmer declared, "I have...
A Tap on the Shoulder
To give to others is the best way to show you love them. Indeed, the Hebrew word “Ahava - Love” is a derivative of the Hebrew root “Hav,” which means to give. If someone gave you a gift, helped you when you were stranded on the side of the road, or even saved your...
The Power of a Bribe
The traditional naming of the five books and the weekly readings in the Torah is done by simply using the first uncommon word of the book or reading. This week's reading, though, is aptly named, for it begins with Shoftim, judges, and many of the 41 Commandments found...
Choosing Life, Every Day
Our reading this week begins, "See I have placed before you today blessing and curse. The blessing, if you listen to the Commandments of Hashem your G-d, which I have Commanded you this day. And the curse, if you will not listen to the Commandments of Hashem your G-d,...
The Soul Purpose
Health is always a relevant topic, but recently it has been the overarching topic on the minds of practically all of humanity. That, we’ve learned, is pandemic life. Besides the survival instinct that compels us to make healthy choices, many may be surprised to hear...
May We All Cry
When do we cry? When we feel profound emotion due to something we observe or experience. The prophet Jeremiah writes of Jerusalem, “She cries intensely at night, her tear is on her cheek. She has no friends to console her. “ We will read this on Saturday night, the...
Fight to Love, or Love to Fight?
Our daughter was just 2 years old when there was a fire in the apartment above ours. We all waited nervously on the hill outside the building, as everyone in the neighborhood gathered around to see the smoke rising from the roof, and to offer help to the families that...
