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May 16

Cold Look!

At the conclusion of our Parsha, the Torah speaks of a disturbing incident where a Jew uttered a curse against G-d. What triggered him to do such an abominable thing? Rashi quotes Reb Brachia who says that the one who cursed had an issue with the command in the Torah immediately preceding this incident. The …

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May 04

Courtesy!

The Torah instructs us to count each day from the second day of Pesach for 49 days until the Holiday of Shavuos. Today is the 28th day of the Omer count, which means the holiday of Shavuos will be in three weeks. The Sefiras Ha’Omer counting period is observed as a semi-mourning period. There are …

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May 12

Pursued!

King Solomon writes in the book of Koheles, “G-d seeks out the pursued.” The Medrash explains this verse; whether a righteous person pursues a righteous or wicked one, or a wicked person pursues a righteous or wicked one – G-d seeks out the pursued. The Medrash continues by stating examples: Kain continually pursued Able, and …

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Apr 29

Sunshine!

Last week, while studying a composition written by the Shem Mishmuel – Reb Shmuel of Sochachov – I came across an idea that broadened and deepened my understanding of Torah and I wish to share it with you. Each of the twelve lunar months has a name. For example, our current month is called Iyar. …

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May 06

Trust!

In the beginning of creation G-d gave man one prohibition, not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge. The Torah relates that the serpent, who represents the evil inclination, convinced Eve to eat from the tree through the following argument and enticement. “If you eat from the tree you will be G-d-like.” What was so …

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May 16

Launched!

We are currently in the seven-week counting period between Pesach and Shavuos, known as Sefiras HaOmer – the counting of the Omer. Today is the 26th day of the Omer count. The Torah in this week’s portion describes the Mitzvos pertaining to the counting of the Omer. When the Jews entered the Land of Israel …

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Sep 27

A Glimpse of the Humble

(Torah Portion Emor) A Glimpse of the Humble According to our Kabalistic teachings, each Hebrew month of the year has a unique color/stone, a Hebrew letter, and is associated with a particular tribe. Iyar, the month we welcome today, is associated with the Hebrew letter Vuv. The letter Vuv means, “and” when it appears as …

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Sep 27

Rebbe Shimon

(Torah Portion Emor) Rebbe Shimon! Today is the Thirty-Third day of the Omer count, which is known as Lag B’Omer. What makes this day so special? Almost two thousand years ago, 24,000 devout students of Rebbe Akiva, one of the greatest Sages in Israel, died during the period between the Holiday of Pesach and the …

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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 …

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Sep 27

Wherever You Are

(Torah Portion Emor) Wherever You Are! Let’s talk about the weekly Shabbat. The Torah in this week’s portion introduces the observance of the Holy day of Shabbat before describing the rules and rituals of festivals and holidays that occur during the year. Commentators ask, what is the purpose of listing the Shabbat together with the …

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