Category: Parashah

There is only one parsha that has a title containing a number, and that is Parshat Shemini—Shemini meaning “the eighth.” This presents us with an opportunity to study the significance of some of the key numbers in Jewish tradition. In Kabbalistic teachings, the number six represents the perfection of nature. …

The day after Pesach is a special date on our calendar, similar to the day after Shavuot and the day after Sukkot. There is a term that we apply for these days: it is called Isru Chag. It comes from the Hallel Psalms, where we refer to the way in …

What is the essence of the Passover Seder? Within the Haggadah, we read the words of Rabban Gamliel, who teaches: “Kol shelo amar sheloshah devarim ellu bapesach, lo yatza yedei chovato.” This means that in order to fulfill one’s obligation in the Maggid section—the central part of the Haggadah—you need …

The portion of Pekudei is extraordinary. Nearly the entire parsha is devoted to presenting a balance sheet to us. In the last few parashiyot, we learnt how Hashem had instructed Moshe to take contributions from the people, then to build the Mishkan – the sanctuary in the wilderness – to …

How can I accept irrational commandments? This coming Shabbat will be Shabbat Parah, and we recall the time when Hashem gave us the mitzvah of the parah adumah, the red heifer. In an extraordinary fashion, the ashes of the heifer enabled people who were impure to become pure. But the …

There’s nothing quite like being there. This powerful message is conveyed to us in Parshat Ki Tisa. It is a well-known story: after forty days and nights, Moses, who had received the Ten Commandments from Hashem, is told by the Almighty, “Lech-red” (go down), “ki shichet ammecha” (your people have …

This powerful message emerges out of the very first word of Parshat Tetzaveh, and that word is “Ve’attah” – “and you”. Hashem was addressing Moshe. And, as is well-known, Tetzaveh is the only portion of the Torah outside of the book of Bereshit which doesn’t mention Moshe’s name. Every time …

This Shabbat, we are reading Parshat Terumah, but it is also Rosh Chodesh Adar. There is a teaching from the Talmud that relates to the beginning of this month. In Masechet Taanit, daf kaf tet, amud aleph, it famously says: “Mishenichnas Adar marbim b’simcha”—with the start of the month of …

Do you come to shul to see or to be seen? In Parshat Mishpatim, the Torah presents us with details relating to the Shalosh Regalim, the three pilgrim festivals, and the key term there is: “Yera’eh”—he shall be seen. That is: to be seen in Yerushalayim for these momentous occasions. However, …