Parshat Tetzaveh 5772
Last week Parshat Terumah described the building of the Mishkan (tabernacle).
This week we read about the priestly garments and the process of preparing the priests to service in the Mishkan.
Shemot – Exodus
This book begins with the Jewish people enslaved in Egypt. God chooses Moshe / Moses to bring His people out of Egypt. After the redemption He gives His people the Torah and commands them to build the Tabernacle.
Insights from the Kli Yakar
Parshat Terumah 5772
From this parsha until the end of Sefer Shemot / Exodus, the Chumash focuses on building and inaugurating the Mishkan (tabernacle).
Earlier this week I gave a brief introduction to the Mishkan.
Building the Tabernacle
Parshat Terumah 5772
From this parsha until the end of Sefer Shemot / Exodus, the Chumash focuses on building and inaugurating the Mishkan (tabernacle).
Sheker: Don’t Stand For It
Parshat Mishpatim 5772
A group of philanthropists visited the Chafetz Chaim. One of them, who had donated to the yeshiva before, said, “Surely the rabbi remembers me.”
The Chafetz Chaim replied, “I’m sorry. My memory is not what it used to be.”
The Instability of Falsehood
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.
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?