(Torah Portion Shemini) Appreciation! The Torah identifies kosher animals and fish based on distinct physical characteristics. However, when it comes to fowl, the Torah lists the non-Kosher fowl by name, and the remaining species of fowl are kosher. The ultimate reason G-d took us out of Egypt was for us to accept and follow His …
Category: 5773
Sep 27
Remedying Envy
(Torah Portion Tazria/Metzorah) Remedying Envy! As the Second World War was raging and the inevitable assault and capture was approaching, many Jews hid their valuables in the hope that if they survived, they would be able to retrieve their money, wealth and family heirlooms. As we know, most of them did not have the fortune …
Sep 27
Clock on the Wall
(Torah Portion Acharai Mos/Kedoshim) Clock on the Wall Love within a relationship can at times be complex. Yet the Torah instructs us, “Love your neighbor like yourself,” placing an extraordinary demand on us. How can we possibly reach such a lofty ideal? The Talmud records a conversation between a potential convert to Judaism and Hillel …
Sep 27
Challah
(Torah Portion Emor) Challah! The number ten has been universally accepted as a number of significance since time immemorial. Rabbi Yaacov Kaminetzky o.b.m. points to its source: The Mishna in Ethics of our Fathers relates that during the seven days of creation G-d uttered ten statements of creation. They are recorded in the Torah, and …
Sep 27
Letter as a Guarantee
(Torah Portion Behar/Bechukosai) Letter as a Guarantee In the second Parsha we read this week, the Torah describes the wonderful blessings we will receive when we observe G-d’s Commandments. The Torah continues, telling us that if we ignore the commandments, we are warned of great suffering and insecurities that will plague the nation. During G-d’s …
Sep 26
Women First
(Torah Portion Shemos) Women First The first verses in the Book of Exodus list the names of the children of Yaacov who had settled in Egypt. The verse states, “With Yaacov, each man and his household came.” The Hebrew word used here for household, is Baiso. Generally speaking, the Hebrew word used to describe one’s …
Sep 26
Heavenly Sounds
(Torah Portion Va’airah) Heavenly Sounds Our leader Moshe came to the Pharoh with specific instructions from G-d to free the Jewish people. Pharoh responded, “Who is G-d that I should listen to him.” Pharoh’s denied the existence of G-d until the seventh plague, which was fire mixed with hail. Pharoh finally caved in, calling Moshe …
Sep 26
A Black Crown
(Torah Portion Bo) A Black Crown Even before the Jews were redeemed from Egypt, they were introduced to the Mitzvah of Tefilin. The Tefilin contain four portions of the Torah, written on parchment. Two of the Torah portions deal with our Exodus from Egypt through G-d’s Outreached Arm. These portions are placed in two black …
Sep 26
Early Departure
(Torah Portion Beshalach) Early Departure Although the quickest and easiest route from Egypt to the Land of Israel is along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, and modern day GPS would have directed the Jews this way, nevertheless, G-d directed the Jews differently; He told them to travel toward the wilderness in the direction of …
Sep 26
Mid Flight Exchange
(Torah Portion Yisro) Mid Flight Exchange It is quite common that we strike up a conversation with our seatmate on a plane, and often worthwhile business connections are thus forged. At times, the person sitting next to you is a fellow Jew and inevitably the conversation turns to affiliations, beliefs, Israel and family. A friend …