Parsha Hashavuah
Parshas Behar/Bechukosai - Winning the Real Game
This week we recite a phrase that one could claim represents the Torah’s secret for success in life. אם בחקתי תלכו... - ויקרא כו ג,...
Parshas Behar/Bechukosai - Inside and Outside
After an entire Parsha (Behar) discussed the laws of Shemitah and before a Parsha (Bechukosai) which talks about the rewards and punishments for one who k...
Parshas Behar/Bechukosai - The Pleasant Smell
This past Tuesday was the second yahrtzeit of my great aunt, Lady Amélie Jakobovits, a"h. The shtikle is dedicated le'iluy nishmasah, Mayla bas Eliy...
Parshas Behar/Bechukosai: The Fourth T'shuvah Revisited
I forgot to put the following in last week. I’m not going into it now but I do want to mention it. I had stated that of all the chato’im (sins) ...
Parshas Behar/Bechukosai - Brachos & Brachos
In this week's Parsha, the Torah tells us that one of the blessings we get when we fulfill Hashem's commandments is, 'ואכלתם לחמכם ל...
Beis HaMikdash Topics - Tour of the Temple Class 5: The Women's Courtyard
The Women's Courtyard Interior of the Women's Courtyard To the east of the Main Courtyard stood a large enclosed are...
Nu, So, What is New?
In Parshas Bechukosai, the Torah mentions a beracha that we will be able to eat yoshon noshan. Perhaps it is a stretch of my own imagination to use this as an o...
Parshas Emor - Responsibility
This week's Sedra opens with particular instructions to the Kohanim. In the first of these, the Torah tells the Kohanim not to become Tamei (impure) by dea...
Parshas Emor - Ner Tamid
There is a custom to include a light in every shul which is on constantly, called a נר תמיד. Most people are aware of this. So what's the probl...
Parshas Emor - A Yiddishe Momma
When King David seeking to express before God his profound despair and frustration in the face of all those who betrayed his friendship, he describes it (...
Parshas Emor - Fatherhood
At the beginning of this week's parsha, (21:2) we are told that a Kohein, although he is not permitted to become tamei meis, he is allowed to do so for his...
Lag Baomer. 'Love & Respect'
According to the opinion that the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva who died between Pesach and Shavuous had a brief respite on Lag Baomer, we can appreciate the r...
Parshas Emor - True Joy
The Torah enumerates all of the special Jewish holidays: Pesach, Shavuos, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkos. What is most strange is that right in the middle...
Beis HaMikdash Topics - Tour of the Temple Class 4
The Cheil and the Soreg The Cheil and Soreg outside of the Women's Courtyard Standing at a distance of 10 cubits from ...
Parshas Acharei Mos/Kedoshim - Chesed Inside the Home - Chesed Outside the Home
At the beginning of Parshas Acharei Mos (Leviticus 16:2), the Torah tells us that Aharon does not have unlimited access into the Holy of Holies: “v’...
Parshas Acharei Mos/Kedoshim - What the #@$* !?
Have you ever banged your thumb accidentally while using a hammer? What was your immediate reaction? Did you simply scream out in pain? Or maybe you cursed the ...
Parshas Acharei Mos/Kedoshim: Rebuke - The Malpractice of Mitzvah (Video)
Many thanks to Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier of The Shmuz.com for his video dvar Torah - Parshas HaShavua sponsored by Dr. Shapsey Tajerstein, DPM Podiatry Care 410....
Parshas Acharei Mos/Kedoshim - The Blueprint of Utopia
In the second of this week's double Sedra the Torah mentions a number of interpersonal Mitzvos. These Mitzvos vary in their nature. Some are positive comma...
Parshas Acharei Mos/Kedoshim - Dikdukianisms
A Revealing Note This seems to have come up fairly often so I should probably address it in a post. Every now and then, a בעל קריאה will mix up ת...
Parshas Acharei Mos/Kedoshim - Being Frank about Acharei Mos and Kedoshim
In this week’s parsha (18:21), we are introduced to the prohibition against the brutal practice of giving over one’s child to the Molech. The exact ...
Parshas Acharei Mos/Kedoshim - Systems of Human Perfection
“And a man from the house of Israel, and from the converts who live with you, who shall consume any blood, I shall place My face against the soul of the o...
Parshas Acharei Mos/Kedoshim - Reflections On Sitting Shiva
“Hashem spoke to Moshe after the death of Aaron’s two sons … and they died.”[1] Tragically, several years ago my brother, Shmuel, ...
Parshas Acharei Mos/Kedoshim - Protesting Properly & Rebuking Respectfully
The Medrash says that when Iyov heard that the two sons of Aharon were killed, he got very worried that he too would be punished. Why? I saw a nice ...
Parshas Acharei Mos/Kedoshim - The Letter and The Spirit of the Law
Sicha on Parshas Acharei-Kedoshim ...
Parshas Acharei Mos/Kedoshim - Patience is a Virtue
In this week's parsha (for those in chutz la'aretz), we find a discussion about waiting for the fifth year prior to eating produce outside of Eretz Yi...
Gates of the Temple Mount
In each wall of the Temple Mount were one or more gateways, all of which conformed to a standard size of 10 cubits wide by 20 cubits tall. Instead of a traditio...
The Laws of Tumas Meis
Those of our readers who are in Eretz Yisrael read parshas Emor this week, whereas those who are in chutz la'aretz read Acharei- Kedoshim this week. Since ...
Netzach, The Fourth Mida of Sefirah
Being that we have just started the fourth week of Sefirah, which corresponds to Moshe Rabbeinu and his Mida of Netzach, I thought I would share, what I’...
Parshas Tazria-Metzora: Learning Torah - Working Towards Olam Habah
This week’s Torah portion begins with the Torah’s outlook on the conception and birth of a child (eeshah kee sazriah v’yaldah…Lev...
Parshas Tazria-Metzora: Non-Negotiable Justness
On the rare occasion of a Jewish leap year when we read the portion of Tazria alone, we recite as the haftorah a fascinating tale taken from the Book of M...
Parshas Tazria-Metzora - You See What You're Looking For
Sicha on parshas Tazria-Metzora by Rabbi Yecheskel Weinfeld ...
Parshas Tazria-Metzora: 'Friday, Shabbos, Sunday'
Ever wonder why we keep Shabbos on Saturday whereas the Muslims have their Sabbath on Friday, and the Christians on Sunday? Being that we are in the midst of S...
Parshas Tazria-Metzora - Warning: Loshon Horah Kills!
While traveling from city to city selling his wares, a peddler approached the city of Tzipori and called out in a loud voice, “Who wants to buy the potion...
Parshas Tazria-Metzora - Warning: Loshon Horah Kills! (Video)
Many thanks to Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier of The Shmuz.com for his video dvar Torah - Parshas HaShavua sponsored by Dr. Shapsey Tajerstein, DPM Podiatry Care 410....
Do I Have to Tell the Truth?
This week in Eretz Yisrael, we read the parshiyos of Acharei and Kedoshim. Those of our readers who are in chutz la'aretz will be reading the parshiyos of ...
Parshas Tazria-Metzora: Dikdukianisms
White Hair by, R' Eliezer Bulka The beginning of this week's פרשה contains many instances of the מפיק ה, indicating the fema...
Parshas Tazria-Metzora - Together Alone
Most of this week's parshios deal with the laws of the metzora. We are told (13:46) that the metzora must be sent outside of the camps and must dwell alone...
Parshas Tazria-Metzora - The Holocaust
This has been published before. I am redoing it because of the addendum which it now has. There has been a great reluctance to write or speak about the H...
Beis HaMikdash Topics - Tour of the Temple Class 2
A collection of information, sources, and ideas about the design and use of the Second Beis Hamikdash Walls of the Temple Mount King Dari...
Parshas Shmini - The Problem With Pigs
My all-time favorite pig story: A salesman was lost in a rural area and stopped at a farm to get directions. As he was talking to the farmer he noticed a pig w...
Parshas Shmini - Dikdukian
להבדיל As I have discussed in a different forum, the essence of פרשת שמיני is one word - להבדיל, do differentiate. Towards the...
Parshas Shmini - Fathers and Sons
In this week's parsha, we learn of the tragic episode of Nadav and Avihu, two sons of Aharon who were killed when they brought a sacrifice which they we...
Parshas Shmini - Are We What We Eat?
In this week's Sedra the Torah discusses many laws pertaining to which animals we may and may not eat. There are quite a number of Mitzvos throughout...
Parshas Shmini - Ya'aleh V'yavo - An Exegesis
The beautiful tefillah, Ya’aleh V’yavo, is added to our daily prayers (and benching, when applicable) for the all the Torah-based Yom Tovim (t...
Parshas Shmini - Intoxicated
The Torah records this week one of the most exhilarating moments in Jewish history. After an enormous investment of funds, energy and skilled craftsmanship and...
Parshas Shmini - You Are What You Eat
In most years the Shabbos after Pesach is Parshas Shemini as it is this year. This is quite fascinating. We spent the Yom Tov of Pesach eating Matzah and ...
Parshas Shmini - A Service of Joy
Nadav and Avihu “One who wishes to marry should check into the woman’s brothers as it says, ‘and Aharon took Elisheva … th...
Parshas Shmini - High Noon in the Mikdash?
As mentioned in the last post, I was going to do somewhat of a two part series. The last post dealt with the alignment of the Beis Hamikdash and solar m...
Parshas Shmini - How do We Make Kosher Cheese?
This article is in honor of Parshas Shmini. Those in Eretz Yisrael will be reading this parshah the day after Pesach, whereas those readers outside Eretz Yisrae...
Parshas Shmini - No Compasses in the Midbar
Firstly, let me apologize for not having posted for the past several weeks. Baruch Hashem I have been very busy with all sorts of things and then with Pes...
Eating the 'Yetzer Hara' After Pesach
If Chometz represents the Yetzer Hara, why is it only forbidden on Pesach and not year round?? The Gemara tells us that we should serve Hashem with both our Ye...
Parshas Shmini - And Aaron Was Silent
He was an old man, and in many ways came from a very different world than I. And yet he taught me more than anyone else ever did. One of the things he taught me...
Torah and Thoughts in memory of Esther Nechama Margolese and Judy Ference, aleihen hashalom
This past week marked the 1st yahrzeits of our dear friends, Esther Nechama Margolese a"h (17 Nisan) and Judy Ference a"h (18 Nisan). Many thoughts and em...
Understanding the Korban Omer & Sefiras HaOmer
Parshas Emor contains the Pasukim of the special Mitzva that we have now between Pesach & Shavuous, namely the Mitzva of Sefiras Haomer. Let us try to under...
A Yom Tov (Holiday) Thought for the Conclusion of Pesach - The Power of Unity
The Pesach/Passover story really has three components. The first is the actual exodus from Egypt, which we commemorate with the customs and ceremonies accompany...
Parshas Shmini - Pesach
This article is in honor of Parshas Shmini. Those in Eretz Yisrael will be reading this parshah the day after Pesach, whereas those readers outside Eretz Yisrae...
The First Week of Sefirah, Midas Chesed
I heard bisheim a Chashuva Posek here in Baltimore that there is no problem with emailing on Chol Hamoeid. Printing an email out may be problematic so if you wa...
The Model Seder
ואמונתך בלילות -תהלים צב ב - and Your faith in the nights Throughout the long and dark night of “galus” our faith has ke...
Pesach Dikdukians
הגיענו - הגדה vs יגיענו כן ה' אלוקינו יגיענו למועדים ולרגלים אחרים In just about all the ה...
Pesach / Leil Seder: Four-Faceted Praise
Comedian Steven Wright once said "Right now I’m having amnesia and déjà vu at the same time. I think I’ve forgotten this before." I am...
What Should We Say to the "Wicked" Son?
One of the most popular passages in the Pesach/Passover hagadah talks about four sons. There are scores (perhaps hundreds) of commentaries on this passage....
Pesach: Divrei Torah in General and the Haggadah in Particular in This Expanded Yom Tov Edition
Dvar Torah I It bothered me for a long time. Here are the words translated into English. ‘For forty years I was angry with the generation and I said they...
Pesach - Matzah - Maror
I. Pesach – A National Origin of the 3 Pillars This will be the first of 3 Divrei Torahs dealing with the upcoming Yom Tov of Passover, based on th...
Parshas Tzav: Shabbos HaGadol Maror - A Necessary Component
Maror – A Necessary Component This is the third of 3 Divrei Torahs dealing with the upcoming Yom Tov of Passover, based on the statement found in t...
Parshas Tzav - Show Me That You Care
This week's Sedra discusses at length various details of the Karbanos. The Parsha starts off by telling Aharon and his sons “this is the Toras Haolah...
Parshas Tzav - 96
This week’s Parsha, Parshas Tzav, has ‘TZAV’ [96] Pasukim. Parshas Teruma as well has ‘TZAV’ Pasukim. Not only that, but they talk...
Parshas Tzav - Birkas HaIlanos
נוסח ברכת האילנות Since you are likely to be saying this ברכה without immediate access to a computer, I have uploaded an image...
Parshas Tzav - Shabbos HaGadol
This Shabbos, the last Shabbos before Pesach, is called שבת הגדול - the great Shabbos. Or is it? Have no fear. I am certainly not doubting that it is ש...
Parshas Tzav - Everybody's Favourite Trop
At the end of this week's parsha, we are described the ceremony of the consecration of the Kohanim. As part of the proceedings, Moshe brought three korbano...
Parshas Tzav - Handle With Care
The very first service that was performed daily in the Temple was the scooping up of a shovelful of ashes from the innermost ashes on the Altar and placing it o...
Parshas Tzav - Hashem and Man: Master and Servant (Video)
Many thanks to Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier of The Shmuz.com for his video dvar Torah - Parshas HaShavua sponsored by Dr. Shapsey Tajerstein, DPM Podiatry Care 410....
Parshas Tzav - The Why of Praising
The Baal Haturim Revisited Last week we quoted the Baal Haturim[1] regarding the small alef at the end of the word “Vayikra.” (See there.) We had a...
Parshas Tzav - Hashem and Man: Master and Servant
“The Kohain shall don a garment of linen, and he shall don linen breeches on his skin, and he shall remove the ashes.” — Vayikra 6:3 One of t...
Parshas Tzav - Shabbas HaGadol: What Does The Great Shabbos Mean?
The Shabbos before Pesach is called Shabbos HaGodol, the Great Shobbos. What does the name intend to connote? The Poskim (See Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 430) st...
Practical Aspects of Matzoh Baking
Question: Personally, I find the different terms used in reference to matzoh very confusing: On the one hand, I have been told that if one is working on the do...
Parshas Va'yikra - Rosh Chodesh Nissan & Sefer Vayikra
Every Rosh Chodesh is a time for renewal, a time to get off to a fresh start in our Avodas Hashem. The word Chodesh has the same root as the word Chiddush, deno...
Parshas Va'yikra - On the Altar of Man
This week's parsha deals with a number of different versions of the korban chatas, the sin offering. The sin offering of the Nasi is introduced in a slight...
Pesach: Matzah - A Mitzvah Intricately Connected to Chametz
This is the second of three Divrei Torah dealing with the upcoming Yom Tov of Passover, based on the statement found in the Haggadah, said in the name of Rabban...
Parshas Vayikra - Rabbi Moshe Hauer (Audio)
For your enjoyment and benefit - click below for 2 Divrei Torah for your Shabbos table shared by Rabbi Hauer ...
Parshas Va'yikra - On the Altar of Man
One can only imagine what it must have felt like at this time of the year in the Land of Israel when the Temple stood, as they read with the arrival of the mont...
Parshas Va'yikra - Creative Passion
This week's Sedra focuses on the various different types of Korbanos. The Torah relays all sorts of important instructions as to what can be brought as wha...
Parshas Vayikra - Natural and Miraculous
This Shabbat is one in the series of special days marking the approach of Pesach/Passover. In addition to beginning the book of Vayikra/Leviticus, this year we ...
Parshas Vayikra - The Small Alef
No Control One of the popular slogans emanating from Madison Avenue these days, especially regarding medical products, is “Be in Control.” A numbe...
Parshas Vayikra - Vayikrah with small Aleph (Video)
Many thanks to Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier of The Shmuz.com for his video dvar Torah - Parshas HaShavua sponsored by Dr. Shapsey Tajerstein, DPM Podiatry Care 410....
Parshas Vayikra - It's Not Fair!
Parshas Ha Chodesh “And you shall take a bundle of hyssops and dip it in the blood in the basin, and you shall touch it to the lintel and the two door po...
Parshiyos VaYakhail/Pekudei - The House That Moshe Built
A guest post by Rabbi Aaron Fink (my father), Dean of Ateres Bais Yaakov on Monsey NY. Part of a weekly Dvar Torah (Torah “Thought”) series. The Mi...
Parshiyos VaYakhail/Pekudei - Non-Linear Unity
This week we will read a double parasha, combining Vayakhel and Pekudei, the last two parshiot in the book of Shemot/Exodus. Each of these parshiot deals, in th...
Parshiyos VaYakhail/Pekudei - No Suspicion
The Oar Hachaim and other commentators explain that the reason for the detailed accounting of all the silver donated for the Mishkan, was so that Moshe could sh...
Parshiyos VaYakhail/Pekudei - The Gold Standard
In the beginning of this week's parsha, the sum total of all the metals used for the Mishkon is given. The Ibn Ezra (38:24) and many other commentaries poi...
Pesach - A National Origin of the 3 Pillars
This will be the first of 3 Divrei Torahs dealing with the upcoming Yom Tov of Passover, based on the statement found in the Haggadah, said in the name of Rabba...
Parshiyos VaYakhail/Pekudei -Sanctuary in Time and Space
A Sicha from HaRav Yechezkel Weinfeld on Parshiyos VaYakhail/Pekudei ...
Parshiyos VaYakhail/Pekudei - A Doube (Triple) Wamee
This week's Sedra opens by telling us that Moshe Rabeinu assembled all of Klal-Yisroel. Moshe Rabeinu did so in order to instruct Am-Yisroel to give ...
Parshiyos VaYakhail/Pekudei - Get Real
The Torah reports how after much enthusiasm and devotion, the Mishkan was finally erected on the first of the month of Nissan in the second year after the Exodu...
Parshiyos VaYakhail/Pekudei - Men are from Mars
“He made the wash basin of copper and it base of copper, from the mirrors of the women who gathered at the entrance to the Ohel Moed.” — Shemo...
Parshiyos VaYakhail/Pekudei - Columbus Discovered America; G-D Invented It
Many thanks to Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier of The Shmuz.com for his video dvar Torah - Parshas HaShavua sponsored by Dr. Shapsey Tajerstein, DPM Podiatry Care 410....
Parshiyos VaYakhail/Pekudei - Post Purim Musings/Teshuvah
The Ohr Gedalyohu[1] quotes the Megilas Storim[2] that from the Megilah we see the inyan (concept) that through teshuvah me’ahavah (repentance throu...
Demonic Offspring
I hope everyone has been enjoying the beautiful sight of Venus and Jupiter appearing to come very close together in the western sky. From this point on, t...