Parshat Devarim is always read on the shabbat prior to Tisha BâAv, and in this parsha, Moshe Rabbeinu, who is just about to pass away, gives reproof to the nation as he recalls the 40 years of their travels in the wilderness. Moshe commences his words of criticism with the term …
The maths doesnât add up. In Parshat Maasei weâre told how six cities of refuge were established for our people: three which were to be west of the River Jordan, in Israel proper, and three in Transjordan, called Ever HaYarden, east of the River Jordan. These were cities which were …
A rabbi once returned to his shul after a vacation. One of his congregants said to him, âRabbi, you should have been here to see what itâs like without you!â The rabbi took that as a great compliment. And if there is one Biblical character whose presence made all the …
The Talmud recognises the power of humour and therefore recommends that whenever one is giving a talk, a presentation or a sermon, one should commence with âmilta debdichutaâ meaning something lighthearted, something funny â tell a joke. In that way, people will be relaxed and theyâll be comfortable to hear …
It is possible for a person to be an expert in Torah law without practising any of it. For example, this could be an academic who has studied the Torah and has produced a thesis as a historic document as opposed to being a guide for life. Or perhaps, you …
I had given an address to a large audience and then I stepped down from the stage without returning my lapel mic back to the organisers. Twenty minutes later, I suddenly felt it was still on me â and it was on! I started to panic! What had …
Peace is a suitcase. Now why do I say that? In Parshat Nasso weâre given the Birkat Kohanim â the âduchaningâ â the blessing that the Kohanim bring from Hashem to the people, and the entire blessing leads to a crescendo with the words (Bamidbar 6:26), âVeyaseim lecha shalom,â â …
In our tradition, Torah is compared to four different types of liquids. Let us focus on this in anticipation of the festival of Shavuot through which we will dedicate ourselves to the study of Torah and celebrate Zman Matan Torateinu, the season of the giving of Torah. The prophet Isaiah …
Why does the name of Jerusalem not appear in the Torah? On 21 separate occasions in the book of Devarim we are told about, âbamakom asher yivchar Hashem,â â âthe place which God shall choose,â and we all know that itâs Jerusalem. Similarly in the book of Bereishit, Malkitzedek who …
