You’ll Find it All
(Torah Portion Vayikrah) You’ll Find it All… This Shabbat is Rosh Chodesh Nissan. The month of Nissan is significant because it is the first month of the Jewish calendar, because G-d communicated to Moshe the laws of Rosh Chodesh when the Jews were on the verge of leaving Egypt. Thus the first month sanctified by …
Bold and Daring!
(Torah Portion Tzav) Bold and Daring! The title of this Shabbat is, ‘Shabbat Hagadol.’ The Hebrew word Gadol can mean either great or big in size. Commentators explain that both meanings of the word apply to this Shabbat. It is customary that the rabbi of the congregation speaks on the Shabbat that precedes Pesach …
Wine
(Torah Portion Shemini) Wine! Wine consumed with moderation expands a person’s view, relaxes him and allows him to absorb things a little more. Wine gladdens one’s heart, and it is through wine that one reveals the secrets of his heart. Wine is the ultimate beverage used during our celebrations and traditions. All our celebrations have …
World Peace
(Torah Portion Tazria/Metzora) World Peace! King Solomon states in the Book of Proverbs, “Life and death lay in the power of speech.” Today, more so than anytime in history we see the power of the spoken or typed word. We clearly see that one can either be catapulted into instantaneous fame, or more often, one’s …
A Three Year Wait
(Torah Portion Acharai Mos/Kedoshim) A Three Year Wait! One of the many Mitzvos given to us in the Portions we read this week is the prohibition of eating fruit from a tree during the first three years after it was planted. This law is called Orlah and applies both to produce grown in and outside …
No Shame!
(Torah Portion Emor) No Shame! The Torah requires an agricultural landowner in the Land of Israel to leave certain gifts to the poor in his field. One corner of the field is not harvested and is to be left for the poor to harvest and keep for themselves. While the farmer is cutting his grain, …
Slight Change
(Torah Portion Behar/Bechukosai) Slight Change! King David was always on guard to preserve the integrity of the lineage of the Davidic dynasty. King David’s great grandmother was Ruth, a Moavite princess who converted. King David throughout his life was concerned because the Torah forbids a Moavite convert to marry a Jew. Before Ruth married Boaz, …