Not Our Own Rules
The Torah's 613 Mitzvos, Commandments, are divided into three basic categories: testimonies, statutes, and judgements. The last of these are civil laws which any society needs to survive—but these, too, are part of Torah. Our reading this week begins, "These are the...
Winners Don’t Go Out of Bounds
It's a hot, humid day in the middle of summer. Out from the ice cream parlor walks a fellow with a waffle cone, briefly escaping the oppressive temperatures as he enjoys his frosty delicacy. Of course, you are inspired to want one for yourself. You check for your...
Blind to the Obvious
Did you ever ponder how blind we can be? This week's reading gives us a lesson in how we can become caught up in events, unable to see outside the narrow scope of our own goals. And as a result, we miss out on something so crucial. As the Jews journeyed out of Egypt,...
Losing His Head
In this week's reading, Moshe calls upon Pharoah to release the Jewish nation to worship in the desert, but "G-d said to Moshe, the heart of Pharoah is heavy, to release the people." [Ex. 7:14] The Medrash explains Pharoah's behavior with a parable. A lion and the...
Driven to Givin’
The Torah tells the story of Moshe's rise to prophecy, and to leadership over the Jewish people. Although raised in the house of the mighty Pharoah, Moshe left the palace to observe first-hand the suffering of the Jewish slaves. Ultimately, Moshe's empathy and defense...
Their Eyes and Hearts Were Closed
The Chumash (Five Books of Moses) is divided into various sections. We are most familiar with the division of the books by "Parsha," referring to the portions commonly read each week in synagogues. This week, for example, is Parshas Vayechi. But in reality, this usage...
