Torah Thoughts, Stories, and Inspiration on the weekly Parsha
“To follow them…” (Vayikra 18:4) The Ksav Sofer commented on the words: “To follow them” that a person needs to walk from one level to the next level. That is, a person should constantly keep on growing and elevating himself. It is not enough to keep on the same level that you were on the…
“This is the law of the sin offering…” (Vayikra 6:18) The Gemara explains that the Korban Chatas (sin offering) was to be sacrificed in the same place as the Korban Olah )elevation offering) so that the sinners would be saved from embarrassment. Anyone who witnessed his friend bringing in his Korban (offering) would instead assume…
It is interesting to note that the only place in Tanach that calls the Jews “Yehudim” is Megillas Esther. I saw in the sefer Torah Tavlin that the Dargah Yeseirah writes that this is because the word Yehudi means to acknowledge and thank. The great strength of the Jews that turned the decree around was…
Moshe Rabbeinu’s name is absent from this week’s Parsha. This is very unusual and rare, as Moshe Rabbeinu’s name appears in every Parsha since his birth. Why is his name missing from this week’s Parsha? One reason that the commentaries offer is because the week of Parshas Tetzaveh coincides with the Seventh of Adar, the…
Read More “Parshas Tetzaveh – Purim – There is no such thing as Coincidence” »
“And you shall place into the ark …” (25:16) The Sages (Yoma 21a) relate that the Ark was not included in the measurements of the Beis HaMikdash; because of its spiritual nature, it did not occupy physical space. Now if this miracle was done for the Ark, which functioned solely as a repository for the…
“And they shall make me a Mishkan and I shall dwell in them …” (25:8) In this week’s Parsha, Hashem instructed the Jewish people to build a Mishkan (Tabernacle). The Pasuk says “v’Asu Li Mikdash v’Shachanti b’Socham- “And they shall make me a Mishkan and I shall dwell in them.” Seemingly Hashem should have said…
“And you shall be holy people to Me …” (22:30) In this week’s Parsha, the Torah commands us to be “People of holiness.” Isn’t this wording extraneous? It is obvious that Hashem is addressing human beings. Can’t it simply say, “Be holy”? Why does the Pasuk emphasize that we should be “people” that are holy? …
“Stretch forth your hand over the land of Egypt …” (10:12) Several exceptional facts occur by the plague of locust that doesn’t appear by any other plague. Hashem told Moshe that he will send upon the Egyptians a plague that the Jews will relate to their children and grandchildren. He also says that it is…
“And he [Moshe] turned and left Pharaoh…” (10:6) The theme of Sefer Shemos is learning proper character traits from the Torah. The Midrash on the pasuk above is an excellent example of this. The Midrash states that Moshe turned away because he saw Pharaoh’s ministers taking counsel with each other. Rav Avrohom Twerski zt”l told…
“And Yosef said to his brothers, I am Joseph…” (45:3) The two most dramatic words ever recited were, “Ani Yosef – I am Yosef!” Rav Yitzchok Fingerer shlita explains: These two words shocked and shook Yosef’s brothers to the core of their beings. Their entire worldview was suddenly turned inside out. The brothers’ accusation, fear, vendetta, and…
