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Feb 08

First Down!

The Torah states the responsibilities and liabilities of custodians for items entrusted with them to safeguard. There are four basic types of custodians: Shomer Chinam – someone who takes responsibility to watch an item without payment. Shomer Sochar – someone who is paid to watch an item. A Shoel – a borrower, and a Sachir …

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Feb 16

Beyond Range!

Immediately following the Parsha of Yisro, which narrates G-d’s Revelation at Mount Sinai, the portion of Mishpatim, which means laws, is presented. It may appear surprising that the first law listed concerns a Jewish person who was in a dire situation and wound up either being sold or sold himself to a Jewish master. The …

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Jan 27

Longevity!

During a class this week, I posed the following question: What is worse, hitting a parent or cursing a parent? Most of the participants felt that hitting is worse. One lady was persistent, that cursing is worse since the emotional scaring of a curse is more protracted then the healing of a physical wound. Last …

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Feb 11

Sniff!

We know that a Jew is forbidden to eat Treif – non kosher. The Torah tells us something extraordinary. When one’s animal has been killed or has died and is rendered Treif – the Torah tells the owner to dispose of it by casting it to the dog. Rashi asks, why does the Torah highlight …

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Feb 20

Mommy!

Last week I came across a moving story shared by Rabbi L. Scheinbaum in his weekly publication, Penimim on the Torah. In the aftermath of the 1973 Yom Kippur war, Rabbi Yisroel Lau, then the Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv sought to alleviate the pain of wounded soldiers by visiting the local hospital which specialized …

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Jan 31

Dogs!

When the average person thinks of what it takes to be holy, I imagine that they think of the Himalayan Mountains where one can be alone, be one with themselves, nature and a Higher Power, and able to meditate. Holiness is perceived as an abstract exercise. However, the word Kadosh – holy ― appears often …

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Sep 26

A Pleasant Approach

(Torah Portion Mishpatim) A Pleasant Approach Before the Revelation at Mount Sinai, G-d instructed the Jews not to touch the holy mountain lest they die. G-d also told Moshe to mark a boundary around the perimeter of the mountain so that no one would go beyond that point. Rabbi Matisyahu Solomon illuminates this idea with …

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Sep 26

Responsibility

(Torah Portion Mishpatim) Responsibility The Torah portion we read this week is called Mishpatim, which means laws, for the portion outlines many judicial laws. In the wake of the Costa Concordia cruise ship affair, where the captain, who faces possible charges of manslaughter, abandoned ship after the vessel struck rocks and rolled onto its side, …

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Sep 26

Returning the Call

(Torah Portion Mishpatim) Returning the Call When the Jews reached and encamped at Mount Sinai to receive the Torah, they prepared six days for G-d’s Revelation. The Torah records what they did and accomplished on each day. First, Moshe was summoned to appear on top of the mountain where G-d instructed him to ask the …

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Sep 26

Who Said That!

(Torah Portion Mishpatim) Who Said That! The Torah relates that when the Jewish nation was asked if they were interested in receiving the Torah, they responded resoundingly, “We will do and we will listen.” At that very moment, a Heavenly voice called out and proclaimed, “Who revealed this hidden secret to these people? They are …

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