A Fresh Start
The Torah portion of Nitzavim is always read immediately before Rosh HaShanah, the New Year. It seems that our Sages knew that reading what the Nation of Israel was told then, at the end of Deuteronomy, would place us in the right frame of mind. If someone thinks that...
Appreciating Gift and Giver
Please learn & pray for the recovery of Menachem Mendel Chaim ben Mirel. Our reading begins with the offering of Bikkurim, the first fruits, in the Holy Temple. At the end of the process, the Torah says "And you shall be happy with all the goodness that Hashem...
Try, or Try Not. There is no Do.
One of the more famous lines of the Star Wars franchise comes at a point when the mentor and teacher, Yoda, cajoles the protagonist, Luke, into attempting a task that the latter has already claimed cannot be done. Cowed into submission, Luke says, "alright, I'll give...
To Heel the World
Our reading this week begins with an unusual word in its opening verse: "And it will be that as a consequence [Eikev] of listening to these judgments, guarding and doing them, that HaShem your G-d will guard for you the Covenant and the kindness which He swore to your...
Come Together… Under Me
When, thousands of years ago, our Sages instituted the annual cycle of Torah readings, they established the calendar such that this week's reading, Devarim, opening the Book of Deuteronomy, universally comes during the week of the Ninth of Av. 9 Av, of course, is the...
Finding Fault or Favor
The Torah says that "the nation shall judge," and a verse later, "the nation shall save" [Num. 35:24-25]. The Talmud learns from the juxtaposition of these verses that the Sanhedrin, the High Court, should side with saving the accused, try to find merit for him, and...
The Killer Peacemaker
"Pinchas, the son of Elazar, the son of Aharon the Priest, has turned away My anger from the children of Israel, by being zealous for My vengeance amongst them; and [thus] I did not destroy the children of Israel in My vengeance. Therefore, I say, behold I give to him...
Imaginary Fears
Several years ago, one of the writers for Torah.org reached out to me in a hurry. He had made a mistake, and wanted to stop distribution of the email he had just sent. What was his mistake? He had identified the weekly reading as "Parshas Bila'am" — this was, of...
Motivation Misdirection
As happens every so often, an organization made an innocent mistake, and was condemned by those anxious to find fault. In this case, the organization made the unfortunate choice of quoting one of the most evil figures of modern history. It is recorded that Hitler said...
Reaching for Perfection
This week's reading includes a very difficult chapter in the story of the Exodus, that of the spies. These twelve spies, one from each of the twelve tribes, entered the Land of Cana'an to see what awaited the nation. With two exceptions, Yehoshua and Kalev, they...
Healthy Cravings
by Rabbi Alexander Seinfeld This week's reading includes one of the strangest episodes in the entire Torah. The Jewish People have been out of Egypt for over a year, headed slowly but surely towards the Promised Land. Despite the harsh environment of the desert...
The Family of Gershon
Our reading begins this week with the work and responsibilities of the family of Levi's son Gershon, one of the three families of Levites. The family of Kehas was discussed in last week's reading, and Merari follows Gershon. Each family had different responsibilities...
