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With the completion of the Babylonian Talmud cycle many have decided to start new Torah learning initiatives. Personally, I find the most enjoyable learning is the weekly Parsha. During summer months I have the opportunity to discuss Torah…

Following Judah’s plea Joseph removes the local Egyptians from the room, immediately, he begins to cry. “And he put forth his voice in a cry. And Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph, is my father yet alive?” This is a strange question…

Following Jacob’s death the brothers sent Joseph the following false report. “Your father commanded before he died that we say to you ‘please forgive your brothers for they have done badly to you’.(Bereishis 50:17) “ The brothers then follo…

It always struck me as strange how Moshe reacted to G-d’s instructions. This is the same Moshe who would eventually give us 613 commandments from G-d that we must absolutely follow and obey. Yet when he meets G-d for the very first time he…

“And G-d said to Moshe, “Why do you cry out to Me? Speak to the children of Israel and they will travel”

“Such a son (father) in law like no one ever saw”

“And these are the “Mishpatim” (translated by Unkulus and Rashi as Dinim or Judgements) that you shall place before them.”

Having completed building the Mishkan the Torah describes proper use of that space. “When a person from among you comes forth to offer a “Kurban” (animal sacrifice) to Hashem, that person shall bring either cattle (cows or bulls) or flock (…

As we approach the holiday of Pesach, it is worthwhile to examine the parsha to ascertain relevance to the holiday. What comes to mind is the Karban Mincha; the grain offerings. There are four types, flour (Soless), baked (Maafe Tanur), fri…

The plagues were split into three sections of three each. A warning preceded the first and second plagues of each set. For the first plague of each of the three sets blood, beasts, and hail, Moshe was told to go down to Pharaoh at the river…

In this week’s first Torah reading, Parshat Tazria, the Torah identifies the three types of Tzaraat afflictions. They are the Tzaraat of the skin and that of the clothing and of the house. Each is described by describing symptoms. The proce…

It is truly unfortunate that Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year, is introduced by the death of the two sons of Aaron. “And it was after the death of the Aaron’s two sons...” The torah goes on to describe the Yom Kippur service in detai…

Emor continues the theme of Holiness, “Kedusha”, begun in last week’s Parsha “Kedoshim”. The word “Kodesh”, holiness, appears 47 times in Emor. All 64 commandments in Emor have a direct or indirect influence on obtaining and maintaining hol…

“G-d spoke to Moshe on Mt Sinai saying the following, “Speak to the Children of Israel and say to them: ‘When you go into the land that I am giving to you, the land shall rest a Sabbath to G-d. For six years you shall plant fields, prune vi…

Rashi at the beginning of Parshat Behaalotcha quotes the Midrash, “Why is the Menorah story immediately after the story of the gifts of the princes to the Tabernacle? Aaron, the high priest, upon seeing the gifts of the princes became faint…

This week’s Corner is an edited version of my daughter Rachael’s Bat Mitzvah speech delivered by her in June 2002 at the Women’s Tefillah in Teaneck New Jersey.

I often wondered how Korach could have had the chutzpah to challenge Moshe. If there ever was a leader who was unassailable it was Moshe with his supernatural shining countenance and his history of performing extraordinary miracles. Even mo…

The Mishna compares Bilam with Abraham:

The daughter’s of Tzlafchad were intelligent and provocative. Not in a bad way, but in a way to help clarify G-d’s Torah. Their inquiry was both reasonable but also unprecedented. Never before had society deemed it appropriate for women to…

The Parsha opens with Moshe’s report as to his own interaction with G-d begging to be allowed to enter the land. His purpose in this report is to assure the people that he is not afraid but is being denied entry by G-d. It serves as a punct…

On its surface, this week’s Parsha appears to be merely a review of themes covered in the last two Parshiyot; Do not be afraid of the Kings or peoples of Canaan. Do not worship idols. Remember the good things that you received in your trave…

In last week’s Parsha the Torah described the positive results from keeping the Mitzvot and the negative consequences from failure to do so. This week’s Parsha initially expands on the theme and assigns the terms “Blessing” and “Curse” to k…

A close friend of mine, a Senior Executive of Human Resources, said to me that he never saw an organization succeed without great leadership. Parshat Shoftim is all about leadership, how to choose and importantly how not to choose a leader.

While Shoftim generally contains Mitzvot relevant to the nation as a whole Ki-Teitzei generally focuses on individual obligations. Further investigation reveals a pattern associated with the commandments contained in this week’s Parsha. Fro…

Reading through the Tochacho in Ki Tavo always leaves me saddened and depressed, especially the pasuk that says the punishments not written in the Parsha are also coming. “Even the plagues and illnesses that are not written in this book wil…

It is with great trepidation and a profound sense of humility that I address this week’s Torah Portion. The story of the binding of Isaac has been discussed by so many theologians and bible scholars that there is literarily and literally no…

Haazinu is almost always read between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The Parsha contains a familiar theme found in the last few Parshiyot. We are once again reminded of the dire consequences if we stray from G-d. The poem that is Haazinu is…

“On the eighth day an ATZERET will be for you” (Bamidbar Ch 29 v 35)

Despite predictions of doom surrounding the next phase of Israel’s existence Moshe leaves this most extraordinary and full hearted blessing. Like Jacob before him Moshe views the tribes as his own children. He first blesses each tribe indiv…

The concluding verse on the sixth day of creation reads, “And G-d saw all that he had made and behold it was very good”. This compares favorably to G-d’s observation of creation for the previous days where G-d saw only that “it was good” ve…

The flood story follows the two major stories in Parshat Bereishis; that of the Garden of Eden and that of Cain and Abel. Are these three stories connected in some way or independent, each with its own message? What precisely was the failur…

In this week’s Parsha the following term is used “And G-d appeared to Abraham. (Vayera Eilav). The three visitors who appear at his door deliver an important message which is overheard by Sarah. “And he said, “I will return at the time of C…

In chapter 24 the Torah dedicates 64 verses to the story of how Rebecca became Isaac’s wife. (The creation of the universe (Genesis Ch 1) is covered in 31 verses!) One thing not explained is why Isaac was unable to find his own partner. Why…

The most obvious question is the ethical one. How could Jacob and his mother conspire to mislead Isaac? This seems to be disrespectful and unworthy of these two people. Many suggest that Jacob was within his rights to deceive Isaac having h…

The Parsha contains a mysterious story about Jacob’s encounter or struggle with a “man” on the other side of the river Yabok. The story ends with the following; “and the sun rose for him as he passed Penuel and he was limping on his hip. Th…

“And Israel (Jacob) loved Joseph more than all his other sons …… And his brothers saw that he was more loved than them and they hated him and were unable to speak to him with peace. And Joseph dreamt a dream and told his brothers and they h…

Dreams come in pairs.

Judah’s speech at the beginning of this Parsha may be compared and contrasted to Joseph’s dream interpretations at the end of Vayeshev and the beginning of Mikeitz. In both cases words effected change. And not merely a small change but a dr…

“Gather yourselves and hear oh sons of Jacob, listen to Israel your father. Reuvein you are (or could have been) my first born, my strength and the first of my potency. You are (or could have been) greatly uplifted (with the priesthood as t…

According to the Ramban the stories in early Shmot were not independent stories but rather followed closely and were directly connected to those at the end of Bereishis. What the Ramban may be referring to are the striking parallels between…

In order to better understand the events in this week’s Parsha it is useful and helpful to go back to the very beginning of the Exodus story. In Parshat Lech Lecha G-d said to Abraham, “You shall surely know “Yadoa Teidah” that your childre…

“And they believed in G-d and in Moshe His servant”

“He has told his words to Jacob and his statutes and Judgements to Israel. He did not do such to any other nation and his Judgements were not know to them Praise G-d.” Magid dvarav leyakov chukav umishpatav leyisrael. Lo asah chen lechal go…

Parshas Terumah and the remaining Parshiyot in the book of Shmot deal primarily with the building and installation of the Tabernacle, the associated holy vessels and the priestly garments. Included is the Alter of Elevation (Mizbeach Haolah…

The first section of the Parsha is a continuation of the last two. Trumah-Tetzaveh focused on the building and consecration of the Mishkan. Aaron and his sons were outfitted with the special garments and they too received a consecration cer…

In Vayakhel and in Pikudei we read of how the people did as was commanded earlier in Trumah and Tetzaveh. It raises the following difficulty; The entire Yakahel-Pekudei could have been summarized in one sentence. “And Moshe and the children…

The crowning glory of the “series” of special Shabbatot is this weekend The Great Sabbath . Each of the preceding four special Parshiyot is designed to introduce an important element needed to experience fully Pesach as the time of our free…

Although Passover began on the 14/15th of Nisan, the actually leaving of Mitzrayim, both physically and psychologically was not complete until the 22nd day of that month on the 7th day of Passover. It is only with the utter destruction of t…

In Parshat Shmini the Torah lists the specific sacrifices that were brought on the eighth day of the consecration of the Mishkan. The Ramban pays attention to the specifics as to the particular sacrifice and animal chosen. As is often the c…

“Speak to the children of Israel and say unto them “Hashem’s appointed festivals that you are to designate as holy convocations – these are my appointed festivals.” Mo-aday Hashem Asher Tekre-uh Otam Mikraeh Kodesh Eileh Hem Mo-adie

“From age twenty and above all that go to the army you shall count them according to their “legions” you and Aaron”. (1:3)

“Speak to Aaron and his sons saying the following, “In this way shall you bless the Children of Israel, say to them: May G-d bless you and guard you. May G-d shine His countenance upon you and bestow favor (Chen) upon you. May G-d lift His…

The final story in Behaalotcha is that of Miriam’s affliction. It is followed immediately at the beginning of Parshat Shlach with the story of the Spies. The traditional interpretation of these two stories and their connection relates to a…

The Parsha opens with the matter of Para Adumah the famous Red Cow. Then the Parsha returns to the desert narrative, the death of Miriam, the incident with the rock and the resulting consequences to Moshe and Aaron. Then we read of the enco…

The Chumash is full of stories with animals as central players. No animal is more famous than Bilam’s talking donkey. “And Bilam woke up and saddled his she-donkey and he went along with the officers of Balak.” (Num 22:21) Donkeys have bit…

The Pinchas story actually began at the end of last week’s Parsha. There we learned of the seduction of the Jewish men by the daughters of Moab. The objective of the seduction was to seduce the men not only physically but also spiritually;…

Matos concludes the story of Midyan. “And G-d said unto Moshe, ‘Avenge the vengeance of the Jews from the Midyanites. Take from your midst men for the army, a thousand from each tribe.’ And Moshe sent them, a thousand from each tribe for th…

In the opening Aliyah of the book of Devarim Moshe recalls certain events of the past forty years of desert wandering, “And I said at that time that I could not carry you alone. G-d has increased your multitude; you are like the stars in he…

The Parsha continues Moshe’s rebuke of Israel. The rebuke takes an interesting turn in the first few verses. Moshe shares with the people his most personal disappointment. He shares his attempts to convince G-d to allow him to enter the lan…

“Behold G-d owns all heaven and earth and all that are contained therein. Only in your forefathers did G-d express His desire and His love. He then chose you who are their children from among all the nations to this day. And you shall remov…

Rav Yitzchak Says, G-d holds two things in His right hand, Charity and Torah. “Charity fills your right hand.” (Psalms 48:11) and “From His right hand comes the fire of Torah.” (Deut 33:2) Two items are in His hand; the soul of a person (Ne…

The treatment of war which began last week in Parshat Shoftim continues in our Parsha. In Shoftim we learned about the appointment of the king, one of whose missions was to conduct war. The king was warned against over arming his people wit…

There is an ancient Chinese proverb describing three ways to obtain knowledge. Knowledge may be obtained through education, through contemplation, or through life experience. The proverb describes contemplation as the noblest way to obtain…

“For this commandment that I command you today is neither hidden nor distant. It is not in the heaven saying, “Who will go up to heaven and take it for us and teach it to us so that we will then do it?” And it is not on the other side of th…

“I have placed My bow within a cloud and it shall be a sign of a covenant between Myself and all the land” Gen 9:13

“Go from your land, your birthplace, your father’s house to a land that I will show you. And I will make you unto a great nation and I will bless you and make your name great and you shall be a blessing”

“And there was a famine in the land. And Avram went down to Egypt to dwell there because the famine was overwhelming. Upon arriving Avram told Sarah, “I know now that you are beautiful. The Egyptians will see you and will say that you are m…

The Parsha contains an inordinate amount of detail surrounding the effort to find a suitable partner for Isaac. Isaac was forty when the story unfolds, a bit late in life for his father to “send out for a wife”. Why could he not be trusted…

“And it came to pass after the death of Abraham and G-d blessed Isaac his son and Isaac dwelled in Be-er La-chai Ro-ee.”

“And he dreamed and BEHOLD a ladder was standing upon the earth with its top in the heaven and BEHOLD angels of the Lord are ascending and descending upon it. And BEHOLD G-d stood over him and spoke to him saying etc.” (Gen 28:12-13)

What gift do you give to someone who has everything? Esau had everything he needed. (And Esau said, ‘I have plenty, you keep your gift.’) What gift do you give to a brother you have not seen in well over twenty (maybe thirty four) years? Wh…

The Book of Bereishis is replete with stories of people deceiving one another. Often the deception is overt falsehood but sometimes merely hiding the truth has the same effect. The consequences are always bad if not awful. The first decepti…

We were introduced to Joseph last week with the following description “and he brought their bad deeds back to their father”. In this week’s Parsha we find just the opposite. Having been newly appointed vice pharaoh and instead of informing…

The Rambam in the “Laws of Kings” - Hilchot Melachim Ch 1 wrote a series of rules as to how to choose a king and what were the king’s primary responsibilities:

The concluding Parsha to book of Bereishis is short but quite revealing. The revelations contained therein are about Jacob and Joseph and his brothers. You may have been wondering if Jacob ever was aware that Joseph’s brothers conspired to…

“And these are the names of the children of Israel. [These are the ones] who are coming to Mitzrayim. [They came] with Jacob. [They came] each man and his house. They came. [‘They came’ appears at the end of the Pasuk but was inserted earli…

“And Elohim spoke to Moshe and said to him I am Adonai. And I appeared to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in (or with) El Shaddai, I My name Adonai I did not make known to them. And I set up my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan th…

From the very beginning at the burning bush God told Moshe that He was going to “Harden or strengthen Pharaoh’s heart, and that Pharaoh would not send out the Jews.” “And I knew that the king of Egypt will not release you and not with a str…

“And it was when Pharaoh send out the nation, VELOH NACHAM, that God did not lead them directly to Israel on the road through Pelishtim for that way was closer. God said, “lest they encounter war (with the Pelishtim) and have a change of he…

Who was this person Yitro? Did he convert to Judaism as Rashi suggests? Or did he return to Midyan to serve as their religious leader? The concluding section of this week’s Parsha has Moshe sending Yitro back home. “And Moses sent his fathe…

Bar Kapara said, “How do we know that a judge should be patient in rendering judgements? The Torah placed the laws of justice immediately after the rules associated with the Altar. Just as one must walk upon the Altar slowly and carefully,…

The Jews accepted the Torah at the end of last week’s Parsha declaring “Naaseh Venishmah” – “We will do and we will hear”. They were immediately rewarded in Parshat Trumah with the opportunity to build the Holy Tabernacle. – (Seder Eliyahu…

“And you shall command the Children of Israel, and they shall take for you clear olive oil, pressed to make light, to kindle an everlasting lamp. [It shall be] Within the Ohel Moed outside of the Parochet which itself is above [or outside o…

The Parsha opens with the instruction that one must not count the Jewish people using any method other than the collection and counting of coins. There is nothing wrong with taking a regular census but if we choose to conduct a census, we m…

Mishkan and Shabbat are linked once again, as they were in last week’s Parsha, in the opening verses of our Parsha.

“These are the accountings of the Tabernacle, the Tabernacle of Testimony.”

At the end of Parshat Pikudei, we read that Moshe was unable to enter the Ohel Moed because the cloud (or Shechinah) rested upon it. The physical manifestation of God’s presence left no room for Moses. The lesson was one of personal distanc…

“The children of Aaron, Nadav and Avihu, each took his own personal fire pan. And they each placed a fire into the pans. And they placed incense upon it [upon the fire]. And they brought before God a strange fire that He had not commanded t…

“Speak to the Children of Israel saying, should a woman become pregnant Tazriah and give birth to a male child, (and) she shall be unclean for seven days, like during her days of menstruation so shall she be unclean.” (Vayikra 12:2)

“This shall be the Torah of the Metzora on his day of purification, and he shall be brought to the Kohen.” (Lev 14:2)

The term “Shmirah” or “To Guard” appears several times in chapter 12 of the Exodus story:

“And God spoke to Moshe after the death of Aaron’s two sons who had come close to God and died.” (Lev 16:1)

The Parsha begins with an injunction to Moshe to speak to the entire congregation of Israel and say to them, “You will be holy, because I your God am holy.” (Lev 19:2)

“And when you harvest the harvest of the land (Israel) do not completely cut down the corners of the field. And the gleanings of the harvest may not be taken but shall be left to the poor and the stranger (convert), I am God your Lord.” Lev…

Parshat Behar elaborates on the laws concerning Eved Ivri, first introduced by the Torah in Parshat Mishpatim:

In this week’s Parsha, the Children of Israel are offered a choice: follow in the ways of God and receive great blessing; fail to do so and suffer terribly – including ejection from the Land. Yet the timing of this warning seems strange, co…

“Bamidbar”, “The Desert”, is the both the name of last week’s Parsha and of the fourth Book of the Chumash. The entire Book is referred to in the Midrash as “Chomesh Hapekudim” or “The Book of Numbers”. Both of these names create challenges…

In Parshiot Bamidbar and Naso, we read about the dismantling of the Mishkan and its movement through the desert. This job was given to the three Levite families: Gershon, Kehat, and Merari. The last section of Parshat Bamidbar details the t…

“Don’t wish for the “good old days,” as it is not a wise request.” (Ecclesiastes 7:10)

Following the reports by the spies in last week’s Parsha, we read about the complaints against Moshe:

“Blessed is God blessed be He”, He is the God who rewards those who He loves and who fear Him.

Moav and Midyan colluded to hire Bilam to perform his curses upon the Jewish nation. For punishment Midyan was wiped out: “And God instructed Moses to say (to the people) as follows; Make Midyan into your enemy and destroy them. They became…

The Torah records several stories of acts of zealotry by Levi and by his descendants. The first incident was after the rape of Dinah by Shchem:

Concerning the connection between vows in Matos and the holidays at the end of Parshas Pinchas:

“The words of the Torah are healing. We learned this from Moshe who originally told God of his speech impediment saying; “I cannot speak in front of Pharaoh because I am heavy of mouth and of tongue. (Kvad peh vekvad Lashon)” (Ex 4:10) And…

And God said to Avram, “Go forth for yourself from your land, your birthplace, and your father’s home to a land that I will show you” (Gen 12:1)

Lot Sometimes there are no good solutions.

“There were three who challenged God inappropriately. Two received positive responses and one did not. Eliezer received a favorable outcome for his challenge at the well etc.” (Taannit 4A)

This Zohar attributes the exile of Joseph as a punishment for Jacob’s deceit of his father:

“And Pharaoh named Joseph Tzafnat Paaneach and gave to him Asnat the daughter of Poti-Pherah who was the priest of Ohn for a wife” (Gen 41:45)

“And now, your two sons who have been born in Egypt prior to my arrival here to you in Egypt, they are for me (alt. belong to me), Ephraim and Menashe will be like Reuven and Shimon are to me. And myself (what happened to me), when I came f…

“And these are the names of the Children of Israel who came to Egypt. They came with Jacob, each along with his household. Reuven Shimon Levi and Yehuda. Issachar Zebulun and Binyamin. Dan, Naphtali Gad, and Asher. And all the souls who wer…

The book of Shmot is about names. The names are not just those of the mortals but also of the Immortal. Just like we were provided with the list of names of the sons of Jacob in the beginning of last week’s Parsha we are similarly introduce…

One of the mysteries associated with the plague of locusts is that nowhere was Moshe informed what the next plague was going to be. How did Moshe know that it was locusts? He clearly knew because and that was what he told Pharaoh?

“And it was, when Pharaoh sent out the Nation, that God did not lead them through the land of the Pelishtim. He said “lest they become regretful upon encountering war and return back to Mitzrayim.” And he took them in a circuitous route thr…

“Zachor Et Yom Hashabat Lekadsho”. Remember the Sabbath to sanctify it.

“Behold I am sending a “Malach” (angel?) before you to guard you and to bring you the place that I have prepared (the holy temple – Tanchuma).” (Ex 23:20)

“Speak to the Children of Israel and have them take for me (LEE) a separation or a gift (Trumah). Take this from each person whose heart urges him to donate.””

Most of Parshat Tetzaveh is about the preparation of the Kohanim for their service in the Mishkan. The Parsha details the special garments to be worn by the Kohanim and the elaborate consecration ceremony that prepared Aaron and his sons. T…

“And they said, “these are your leaders (god’s) who led you out of Egypt” (Ex 32:4)

These Parshiyot always make me wonder as to why the Chumash repeats the names of the holy vessels and of the Kohen’s special garments and of the Mishkan’s structural components. Why not just write that everything that was commanded to Moshe…

There are things in life that demand full attention with extreme negative consequences when that attention is dropped or impaired. Examples that come to mind involve driving an automobile (or any vehicle, boat, or airplane) crossing the str…

As this is Shabbat Hagadol we try to find a connection between the Torah reading and Pesach. A connection can be found in the opening section of the Parsha. The Torah instructs Aaron and his family regarding the “Olah” or burnt offering. Th…

“Let them (the Kohanim) place My Name on the Children of Israel and I will bless them” (Num 6:27)

A group of enthusiastic observant Jews who were “Tamey Mes” (defiled from contact with the dead) approached Moshe and Aaron and asked if they could participate in the Pesach sacrifice. Having just studied in last week’s Parsha about the sen…

“And God said to Moshe send out for yourself “Men” (אנשים) and they will spy out the land of Canaan which is the land that I am giving to the Children of Israel each “Man” each “Man” (איש אחד) according to his tribe shall you send all leade…