We can all agree that the priestly family of Aharon has always had a special rank and position within the Jewish people. Having been chosen to represent God to the Jewish people and the Jewish people to God, so to speak, they had a decisive role of influence within Jewish life. Because of this the Torah held them to a higher standard of pedigree and behavior than the rest of the Jewish people. ... READ MORE →
The direct message of these two parshiyot is clear: In order to live a meaningful life that contains within it the necessary elements of spiritual sanctity one must limit one’s desires and physical behavior patterns. The Torah does not award accolades for great intellectual or social achievements if they are unfortunately accompanied by uninhibited physical dissolute behavior. It is not only... READ MORE →
One of the more interesting points to note in this week’s parhsiyot is the fact that the Torah places the entire determination of purity or impurity in the decision making process of the kohein – the priest before whom the afflicted person appears. He alone decides the matter of the person’s fate. And even though the Torah does describe for the kohein the standards and methods of... READ MORE →
The parsha deals with the eighth day of the dedication of the Mishkan. In general it can be stated that the eighth day after any event can be a time of challenge. The eighth day of life is the day of circumcision of male Jewish children. The eighth day – the day after the week of rejoicing of a young newly married couple - was and is the day when real married life with all of its joys and... READ MORE →
The basis for observance of mitzvoth and ritual lies in the word tzav. The Torah does not present us with many options when it comes to observing God’s explicit commandments. Before the performance of a mitzvah, we are to recite a blessing that clearly states asher tzivanu – that we have been commanded and instructed to perform this mitzvah. We naturally retain our free will as to whether... READ MORE →
הקב"ה קורא למשה מתוך קודש הקודשים במשכן. אך, כפי שרש"י אומר לנו, על אף שצליל קולו של הקב"ה, כביכול, היה רם וחזק, הוא נשמע רק במשכן פנימה. אלה שעמדו מחוצה לו לא שמעו דבר. המסר שאנחנו למדים כאן הוא ברור ופשוט: לא כל אחד יכול... READ MORE →
God calls out to Moshe from the inner sanctuary of the Mishkan. Yet, as Rashi points out to us, the sound of God’s voice, so to speak, was loud and strong. However it was limited to the area within the Mishkan. Those who were outside of that sanctuary heard nothing. The message imparted here is a clear and simple one. Not everyone hears God’s voice nor can it be heard everywhere. ... READ MORE →
ספר שמות מסתיים במסר חשוב מאוד לבני ישראל: דין וחשבון. התורה מספרת לנו איך המשכן נבנה ואז מציגה בפנינו תיאור מפורט של השימוש שנעשה בכל תרומות שניתנו לצורך בניית המשכן. התורה מטילה על בצלאל ואהליאב אחריות לכישוריהם... READ MORE →
The book of Shemot concludes with a key message for Jews – accountability. The Torah records for us how the Mishkan was actually built and then it records for us a detailed accounting of how the donations for its building were actually spent and accounted for. The Torah holds Bezalel and Ahaliav accountable for their talents and industry. Their actual efforts and final accomplishments are... READ MORE →
נשיאת הראש התורה מצווה לערוך מפקד של בני ישראל. ספירה כזאת התבצעה כמה פעמים בשנות הנדודים של בני ישראל במדבר סיני. מה שראוי לציון הוא השפה והמילים שהתורה משתמשת בהן כשהיא מצווה על המפקד הזה. "כי תשא את ראש בני ישראל... READ MORE →
