You might be wondering: how could it be possible for Esther not to be in Tanach? Itās one of our favourite, most important books. However, it wasnāt always necessarily going to be included. The Gemara in Masechet Megillah 7a tells us that Esther certainly was included with ruach hakodesh, divine …
Itās the most extraordinary custom Iāve ever heard of. Iām referring to a comment by Rabbeinu Bachaye, the great 13th Century commentator, who mentions a practice of the Chassidim of Medieval France. When someone in their family sadly passed away, they would take wood from the personās dining room table …
What is the best way in which we can give financial help to another? The Shulchan Aruch in Chosen Mishpat tells us that when one gives a loan to a needy person, of course the Torah tells us we may not receive interest, but when giving that loan, one should …
We need to show more respect to parents and grandparents. In Parshat Beshalach, the Torah presents us with the details of the redemption of the Israelites who had been fleeing from Egypt. Once they safely reached the other side of the Red Sea, together with Moses,Ā they sang the Az Yashir, …
What is the relevance of tefillin in our times? In Parshat Bo, the Torah states (Shemot 13:16), āVehaya leāot al yadecha uletotafot bein einecha.ā ā āAnd they shall be a sign upon your arm and frontlets between your eyes.ā Here there is a reference to the tefillin shel yad which …
Who was greater: Moshe or Aharon? In Parshat Vaāera the Torah provides us with the genealogy of the tribe of Levi. We arrive in this list at the household of Amram and Yocheved and there we are introduced to their two sons, Moshe and Aharon. And then the Torah says …
This shabbat weāll be commencing the reading ofĀ the book of Shemot, which some people call the book of Exodus. Interestingly, the Rambam calls the book Sefer HaGeula, the Book of Redemption, for obvious reasons.Ā Second But I find most fascinating the fact that the Bal Halachot Gedolot, (the BHāG), calls …
Of all communal organisations, which are the most sacred? In Parshat Vayechi, we read how Yaakov was preparing for his death. He told Yosef his son, āVeāasita imadi chessed vāemet.ā ā āPlease practise kindness and truth with me when I have passed away.ā (Bereishit 47:29) Now, what did Yaakov mean? …
It took just two words to explain everything that had transpired in 22 years. In Parshat Vayigash we read about the epic moment when Yosef revealed his true identity to his brothers and he did so by saying two words (Bereishit 45:3): āAni Yosef.ā ā āI am Joseph.ā And the …
