Category: Parashah

Tamar Kedem, living on a Kibbutz near Oz in Israel. She was in touch with friends in Australia whom she messaged “Hi guys, we’re doing okay, we are in a safe room in our house.” One hour later, Tamar wasn’t answering any calls, nobody could get in touch with her. …

Shemini Atzeret is a most unusual festival. Other festivals have special mitzvot: on Rosh Hashanah we blow the shofar; on Pesach we hold a seder; on Chanukah we light the candles. But on Shemini Atzeret, well… it lives up to its name. Atzeret means a day on which we stop. …

  What’s the difference between hope and ‘good’ hope? Surely all hope is good? In our prayers at this time of the year, we say to Hashem ‘Uvechein tein kavod Hashem L’amecha’ – ‘Almighty God, Give respect and honour to your people’. ‘Tehilla lirei’echa’ –‘praise to those who revere you’. …

Here’s a question for you. What is not over the heavens, not over the seas but in our mouths and our hearts to do? This is how Parshat Nitzavim describes the mitzvah of teshuvah, of penitence. It is so apt that we read this portion on the shabbat immediately preceding …

In Parshat Ki Tavo, we are told how in ancient times farmers would come to the Temple. They would bring their bikkurim, their first fruits, and there they would recite a passage recalling key moments of Jewish history. In this passage the farmer would say (Devarim 26:6), “Vayareiu otanu haMitzrim …

Confidence and trepidation are an integral part of the rollercoaster of our lives. This is so well presented in Psalm 27, LeDavid Hashem Ori, which we recite at this time of the year. This psalm is comprised of two elements: In the first instance, it’s full of confidence. Hashem is my …

Which verse of the Torah will most Divrei Torah on this shabbat be delivered about? My guess is this: “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” – “Justice, justice you shall pursue,” which appears close to the beginning of Parshat Shoftim (Devarim 16:20).  Through repeating the word ‘tzedek’, the Torah here wishes to highlight how …

What are the three ways in which one can assess a person’s character?  The Gemara in Masechet Eruvin 65b tells us the answer is,   “Kisoh, kosoh and ka’asoh.”  ‘Kisoh’ – ones’ pocket. To what degree is a person generous?  ‘Kosoh’ –  one’s cup. How does a person conduct him or …

In Parshat Eikev, we are told how Hashem is continuously concerned about the land of Israel (Devarim 11:12):  “mereishit hashanah ad acharit shanah,” – “from the beginning of the year until the end of the year.”   The Imrei Emet, one of the great rebbes of Gur, would teach that from …