Parshat Vayikra
In this week’s Torah portion, we read of the many sacrifices that G-d commanded the Jewish people to offer in the Holy Temple. One might ask, what need does He have for these offerings? Does the Almighty feed on animals? We can see G-d’s response to this preposterous claim in psalm 50 where G-d states […]
Parashat HaChodesh
In addition to the weekly Torah reading, this Shabbat we read Parshat HaChodesh. In it, we recount the first commandment given to the nation of Israel; the sanctification of the new moon. Even before the exodus and the giving of the Torah, G-d commanded the nation to pay attention to the first appearance of the […]
Parshat Ki Tisa
This week we read the Torah portion of Ki Tisa. Prior to Moses’ ascent to Mount Sinai, he told the nation that he would be gone for forty days. Unfortunately, there was a rather significant misunderstanding. The Jewish people were uncertain when the count should begin. Does that day count as day one or does […]
Purim Dvar Torah
This coming week we celebrate the festival of Purim. 2,500 years ago, while exiled and living under the rule of the Persian Empire, a cruel anti-Semite named Haman rose to a position of power. With his newfound power, he attempted to genocide the entire Jewish population. From the brink of imminent destruction, the tables were […]
Parshat Terumah
This week we read the Torah portion of Terumah. Following the epic Giving of the Torah, the Children of Israel were commanded to construct the Tabernacle. By following the instructions and building the Tabernacle according to G-d’s specifications, G-d promises, vshachanti b’tocham – “I will dwell in them.” There seems to be an obvious error […]
Parshat Mishpatim
This week we read the Torah portion of Mishpatim. Following the giving of the Ten Commandments in last week’s portion, the Torah proceeds to explain many monetary laws. One law deals with the Jewish slave. The Torah states, “Should you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall work [for] six years, and in the seventh [year], […]
Parshat Yitro
In this week’s Torah portion, we read of the epic giving of the Ten Commandments. We must ask the question; why is it that the Torah portion in which the Torah itself is given to the Jewish nation, is named after Yitro, Moses’ father-in-law? Yitro was an advisor to the wicked Pharaoh. According to the […]
Parshat Beshalach
In this week’s Torah reading, Pharaoh finally lets the Jewish people leave Egypt following the final plague.. Almost immediately, he regrets his decision and pursues them with a large army. At this point, the wondrous separation of the Reed Sea occurs. The Jewish people make it across before the walls of the Sea return to […]
Parshat Bo
In this week’s Torah portion, we read of the final three plagues to afflict Egypt prior to the Jewish exodus. Regarding the plague of darkness the Torah states: “So Moses stretched forth his hand toward the heavens, and there was thick darkness over the entire land of Egypt for three days. They did not see […]