Two Faced or One Faced?
“… whenever Rivka passed the Beis Medrash of Shem, Yaakov tried to get out. Whenever she passed a house of idol worship, Eisav tried to get out.” (Rashi on Bereishis 25:34) “Eisav is compared to a pig…A pig tries to show it is a kosher animal by holding up its [...]
The Whole Picture
“And Sarah died in Qiryat-Arba…” (Bereishis 23:2) Most of us are familiar with Chazal’s teaching that Sarah’s passing was connected to her hearing about the Akeida. Why should hearing about the Akeida have caused her death? Many explanations have been offered. I would like to share two of them, both [...]
Simple Faith, Simple Truth
“Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And He said, No; but you did laugh.” (18:15) Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “How could it be that I am going to have a child when both my husband and I are so old?” The question is asked: [...]
Not What You Thought
“This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your children after you; Every male among you shall be circumcised.” (Bereishis 17:10) Rav Shlomo Hyman (1892-1944), the Rosh Yeshiva of Torah Vodaath, related the following story: Rav Shlomo Kluger (1785–1869), the acting Rav of the city [...]
Offering or Off‑Putting
“…Like Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord.” (Bereishis 10:9) Rashi: He ensnared the minds of people by his words, misleading them to rebel against the Omnipresent (Genesis Rabbah 37:2). Ibn Ezra: The meaning of before the Lord is that Nimrod built altars and offered the animals he hunted as [...]
Becoming Partners in Creation
“…the sixth day. Thus were finished the Heavens…” (Bereishis 1:31-2:1) Chazal (Shabbos 119) teach that one who says “Vayechulu…” on Friday night has his sins forgiven. It is interesting that in the very first week after the yomim noraim, we are already speaking again about forgiveness and repentance. What is [...]
Weather to do it or not
“You shall dwell in sukkos for seven days.” (Vayikra 23:42) For most people in Eretz Yisroel, Sukkos is a very enjoyable yom tov, as the weather is quite pleasant. But outside of the holy land, many Jews live in climates where rain, or at times even snow, makes it difficult [...]
Making It Last
“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, [...]
Teshuva and Tefilah
"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 [...]
Your Path to Repentance
“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 [...]
Having a Proper Outlook
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 [...]
Preparation: The Hidden Half of Every Mitzvah
“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 [...]
Proof Isn’t Truth
“...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 [...]
Dynamic Duo
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 [...]
Small Sounds, Great Impact
“…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 [...]
‘Time Off’ Is On
“…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. [...]
Batteries Included, Instructions Ignored
"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 [...]
Clean in the Eyes of Man
“And Moshe said to them, ‘If you will do this thing…and be guiltless before the Lord, and before Yisra᾽el; and this land shall be your possession before the Lord.’” (Bamidbar 32:20-22) Moshe Rabbeinu makes an agreement with the tribes of Reuven, Gad, and half of Menashe regarding the conditions under [...]