Parshat Mishpatim 5772
It’s over. Sigh.
From the beginning of Sefer Bereshit / Genesis until Parshat Yitro, it’s been fun. Just one great story after another.
But it’s over.
Shlomo Skinner
Hearing and Understanding
Parshat Yitro 5772
Moses’s first encounter with Jethro’s family was at a well. Jethro’s daughters took care of his flocks. Moses intervened when other shepherds would not let them water their flock.
When Jethro heard what had happened, he invited Moses to stay with them. This was good for Moses since he was a fugitive from Pharaoh. Moses married Jethro’s daughter Zipporah and they had two sons.
Who Bowed to Who?
Parshat Yitro 5772
I am thinking of a man who I and many others consider to be a talmid chacham. I have learned from him and had the privilege for several years of having a private chevruta with him.
Yet, when I would walk over to him in the beit midrash, he would stand up to honor me!?!
Who should we honor? How should we show that honor?
The Balancing Act of Bitachon and Hishtadlut
Parshat Beshalach 5772
It doesn’t matter where you look, there are contradictions.
For just one example, let’s look at an event recorded in Samuel I Chapter 16.
Stand Still or Move?
Parshat Beshalach 5772
There’s a saying: When in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout.
There is nothing worse than not knowing what to do. How do you decide what to do when every action seems to have negative consequences?
This week I want to explore how the Jewish People dealt with such a situation.
Talk about Money – NOW?
Parshat Bo 5772
Often to understand the current parsha it is necessary to look back in the Torah.
Earlier this week I raised questions about the Jews borrowing objects from the Egyptians. The obvious problem was that the Jews were leaving Egypt and therefore could not possibly return the borrowed objects. Isn’t that a significant ethical lapse?
May I Please Borrow a Cup of Sugar?
It’s a sure fire way to meet your new neighbors. Walk next door with a measuring cup in your hand and say, “Hi. We just moved in. I want to bake cookies, but I can’t find the sugar. May I please borrow a cup of sugar?”
Of course, they’ll say yes and you are well on your way to forming a new friendship.
That’s great when you’re new in a community. Does the same thing work when you are leaving?
Why 1 Serpent is Better Than 100
This week’s parsha reminds me of the kid’s game rock-paper-scissors.
When I was growing up in Los Angeles, here is how we described the winner of each round:
- Rock breaks scissors
- Scissors cuts paper
- Paper covers rock
No matter what choice you make, you might win or you might lose. Sure, if you both make the same choice, then the game is a draw. But I always played to win :-).
What Does a Serpent Prove?
Parshat Va’eira 5772
The question is really quite simple.
Suppose I want to prove to you that I am the best at something. For an easy example, I claim to be the best at kicking a football.
We go out to a field and I kick a football 200 feet. You then call over five other people who all proceed to do exactly the same thing.
On what basis can I maintain my claim to be the best?
Houses for Midwives
This week we are studying the story of the midwives in Egypt.
This incident is recorded in Shemot / Exodus 1:15-21.