Rav Zachariash’s weekly blog on the parsha
“And the rulers brought shoham stones, and stones to be set, for the efod, and for the breastplate” (Shemos 35:27) Chazal teach us that the word Nesi’im (וְהַנְּשִׂאִם) is written without a yud because the Nesi’im were lax and did not act with zerizus (alacrity) in bringing their donations for the Mishkan. The medrash relates [...]
“See, I have called by name Betzalel the son of Uri, the son of Chur, of the tribe of Yehuda: and I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship” (Shemos 31:2-3) Chazal tell us that when Betzalel constructed the Tabernacle [...]
And it shall be upon Aharon when he comes to minister: and its sound shall be heard when he goes in to the holy place before the Lord, and when he comes out, so that he not die. (Shemos 28:35) In his book From Volozhin to Yerushalayim (1933), author Meir Bar-Ilan asked the gedolim of [...]
They should make me a sanctuary; that I should dwell among them. (Shemos 25:8) Rav Yehuda Ades, Rosh Yeshiva of Kol Yaakov in Bayit Vegan, constructed a physically beautiful edifice for his yeshiva right in the heart of a residential neighborhood. On Friday nights, many of the local baalei batim would join the Yeshiva for [...]
If he rises again, and walks abroad upon his staff, then shall he that struck him be acquitted: only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall cause him to be thoroughly healed. (Shemos 21:19) The Torah tells us in Parshas Beshalach, “ani hashem rophecha” - “I am G-d, your healer.” (Shemos [...]
“You shall also seek out from among all the people capable men who fear God, trustworthy men who spurn ill-gotten gain. Set these (people) over them as chiefs of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.” (Shemos 18:21) Many years ago, I was working as a shochet in a factory. Because of my inexperience, my ratio of [...]
And Moshe took the bones of Yosef with him: for he had made them take an oath on the children of Yisra᾽el, saying, God will surely redeem you; and you shall carry up my bones away from here with you. (Shemos 13:19) The Sages taught in the Tosefta (4:6–7): Come and see how beloved mitzvot [...]
“And when a stranger shall sojourn with you, and will make the pesach-offering for Hashem, each of his maes shall be circumcised, and then he may draw near to perform it…” (Shemos 12:48) The grandson of Rabbi Akiva Eiger (1761–1837), Reb Leibel Eiger (Rabbi Yehuda Leib Eiger 1817–1888), became the head of the Lublin Hasidic dynasty. This [...]
“…and bring out my armies, my people the children of Yisrael, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.” (Shemos 7:4) I have a friend who was very close with Rav Aharon Leib Steinman zt”l (1914-2017). Once, during a conversation, Reb Aharon Leib asked him: “If you were walking down the street and someone [...]
And Moshe said to God, who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt. (Shemos 3:11) I would like to share a question that I asked at my Shabbos table. Hashem solicits Moshe Rabbeinu to lead the Bnei Yisrael out of Egypt. Moshe [...]
