Criticizing Israel
The last book of the Torah, Book of Devarim, is called "Deuteronomy" in English -- an Old English translation of Deuteronomium, Latin for "Second Law." G-d tells Moshe to record what Moshe himself said to Israel, which includes further discussion and elaboration of...
The Myth of 40 Years of Wandering
As a result of the Nation of Israel's lack of trust, their belief (based upon the report of the spies) that they could not conquer Cana'an and would die trying, G-d said the entire generation of the desert would remain just that: rather than being the generation that...
The People’s Guide
A young man in Poland was once diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. His teacher, the holy Rabbi Yisrael Meyer Kagan, known as the Chofetz Chaim, advised him to seek a blessing from a certain scholar in another town. He asked his student not to reveal to anyone...
Open Your Eyes
In this week's reading, we learn the incredible story of Bila'am, who traveled to curse the Jews, only to be confronted by an angel - and his own donkey. His donkey saw the angel first, with a drawn sword, and prudently steered to avoid the angel by walking off the...
An Unbroken Chain
We read this week about the passing of Aharon, the first Kohen Gadol, the High Priest. At the time of his passing, G-d tells Moshe to ascend the mountain with both Aharon and Elazar, his son -- and to remove the vestments of the High Priest from Aharon, and place them...
The Land of Israel
Reverse the error of the spies — go to the Holy Land and see for yourself. You will see how safe it is, generally speaking. Learn how Israel defends Jewish lives in a more humane fashion than any other army in the world, including those of the US and its allies. And above all, appreciate what it means to be able to stand on holy ground.
Ignite a Soul
In this week's reading, Aharon is Commanded to light the Menorah in the Temple. What happens when you light a flame? Lighting a second candle takes nothing from the first one. Doing so merely spreads the light, adding to it. If you've ever seen a building constructed...
We Live to Give
The Talmud [Rosh Hashanah 17b] records an exchange between Bluriah, a convert, and the Rabbis. She questioned an apparent contradiction: the Torah says that G-d does not show favor [Deut. 10:17], but the Kohanim bless the nation in this week's reading [Num. 6:26] that...
First Time Reader
If the Torah were introduced to the world today, for the first time, it would be much easier to open our minds and hearts to its message. We’d be cracking open a new book, from a new Author, with the excitement inherent in learning something completely new. The text itself would have a chance to speak. That is why the words of Torah should always be new to us, as if they were given today.
A Triple Promise, Fulfilled
Our reading this week begins with an unusual juxtaposition: "HaShem spoke to Moshe at Mt. Sinai, saying: Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them that when they come to the land which I am giving them, they shall let the land rest, a Sabbatical for HaShem."...
To Shepherd the World
In this week's reading, we find the Commandment not to slaughter a mother animal and its own child on the same day. Why are we instructed to do this? What is the Torah trying to tell us? The Sefer HaChinuch, Rav Yosef Babad's compendium of the 613 Commandments,...
For Heaven’s Sake
We find in this week's reading, "and G-d spoke to Moses, saying, speak to the Children of Israel and say to them, I am Hashem your G-d." [Lev. 18:1-2] This sounds redundant. Did the Children of Israel not know this already? It sounds very similar to the first of the...
