Rav Zachariash’s weekly blog on the parsha
“We remember the fish that we used to eat for free in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic.” (Bamidbar 11:5) Rav Zalman Sorotzkin (1881–1966) asks a question that has been bothering me for many years. I found his answer spot on. Even though I didn’t think of it, I [...]
Shavuos is a very short holiday. Even for those who stay up all night, it still seems to disappear in the blink of an eye. When any holiday finishes, we can fall into a “postpartum depression” as we to try to hold onto that yom tov and apply what we gained to our lives. Parshas [...]
There are two interesting questions about the Yom Tov of Shavuos that set it apart from the other Yomim Tovim. First, there is no particular mitzvah or commandment to be done on this Yom Tov (unlike Rosh Hashanah which has Shofar, Pesach which has Matzah, or Sukkos which has Sukkah and arba minim). Second, the [...]
Currently, it seems that everyone is declaring, “Let’s be together!” At the same time everyone is saying, “My way is right!” This is not a new phenomenon but has been going on since time immemorial. What is the key to success in allowing everyone to express their ideas and have these ideas be appreciated, and [...]
“…and the trees of the field will yield fruit.” (Vayikra 26:4) RASHI: This refers to the non-fruit producing trees; and even these will bear fruits in future (Sifra, Bechukosai, Chapter 1 6). Nowadays, medical professionals, with all kinds of statistics, are constantly telling us what we can expect and what we have a right to [...]
“If your brother, being in straits…do not exact advance or accrued interest…” (Vayikra 25:35-36) There was an avreich, Reuven, who was very handy. His neighbor Shimon was a Talmid chacham, but with two left hands. Shimon had a plumbing problem for which it would cost him a large amount of money to hire a professional. [...]
“On the first day you shall take…” (Vayikra 23:40) Chazal (Medrash Tanchuma Emor 23) tell us that the word “Rishon” is used because this is the first day that our sins get computed. People are busy between Yom Kippur and Sukkos doing mitzvos, and therefore no sins are being committed during that four-day period. This [...]
“Speak to all the congregation of the children of Yisrael, and say to them, You shall be holy: for I am holy.” (Vayikra 19:2) The generally accepted meaning of being “holy” is to separate oneself, as it seems from the Ramban at first glance. The following question is asked, “If holiness means to separate oneself, [...]
“Hashem spoke to Moshe after the death of the two sons of Aharon, when they came near before the Lord, and died.” (Vayikra 16:1) There are many different explanations offered as to what exactly were the sins of the sons of Aharon. The Yismach Moshe (Moshe Teitelbaum, 1759 –1841), offers his explanation, based on the [...]
Next year in Jerusalem (the Hagadah) On Seder night we split “Hallel” into two parts. The first part is said during magid and the second part is said after birkas hamazon. What is the reason that we say Hallel in two parts instead of saying it all together?! The Levush (Mordecai ben Avraham Yoffe c. [...]
