Rav Zachariash’s weekly blog on the parsha
“But the word is very near to you, in your mouth, and in your heart, that you may do it.” (Devarim 30:14) The Torah tells us that the mitzvah of teshuva is close to us, accessible, and within our grasp. People often assume the opposite – that teshuva is distant, unreachable, and beyond their abilities. [...]
"But teshuva (repentance), tefillah (prayer), and tzedakah (charity) avert the evil of the decree." (Unesaneh Tokef, Rosh Hashanah Machzor) Just this week I had a plumbing problem. I tried to fix it myself, but the more I worked at it, the worse it became. When one finds oneself stuck like that, there are a variety [...]
“For the matter is very close to you — in your mouth and in your heart, to do it.” (Devarim 30:14) There is a well-known story told by Rebbe Simcha Bunim of Peshischa (1764-1827). Zundel the woodcutter was barely eking out a living. One night he had a dream: he found himself in a big [...]
Look down (hashkifa) from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Yisra᾽el, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou didst swear to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey. (Devarim 26:15) Chazal tell us that whenever the torah uses the word “hashkifa”, it has a negative connotation – [...]
“If a bird’s nest chances to be before you…” (Devarim 22:6) Throughout the generations, our Rabbis have placed great emphasis on preparing for a mitzvah. Preparation does not mean merely thinking the correct thoughts; it also means placing oneself in the proper frame of mind to perform the mitzvah. This idea is most eloquently expressed [...]
“...neither take a bribe: for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise, and perverts the words of the righteous. Justice, only justice shalt thou pursue…” (Devarim 16:19-20) The Sifrei, commenting on the verse, “bribery blinds the eyes of the chacham,” teaches that a judge who accepted a bribe will not leave this world before [...]
You shall surely give him, and let your heart not feel bad when you give him. (Devarim 15:10) There is a well-known saying from the chasidish and litvish greats: when giving charity, one must ensure that the poor person is treated with dignity. Beyond the simple understanding, that part of the mitzvah is also to [...]
“…and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul…” (Devarim 11:13) Rashi – “Serving Hashem with all your heart” – this refers to davening One of the most basic aspects of being a religious Jew is to pray – and to do so with kavana. As we approach the Yomim Noraim, [...]
“…for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the eyes of the nations…” (Devarim 4:6) Many people feel that once Tisha B’Av has passed, we have completed our avodah and are now free to use our time as we wish. Chazal, however, teach us that this is not so. In fact, the calendar moves [...]
"Then you answered and said to me, We have sinned against the Lord, we will go up and fight, according to all that the Lord our God commanded us. And you girded on every man his weapons of war, and ventured to go up into the hill." (Devarim 1:41) We often struggle to get ourselves [...]
