Torah Thoughts, Stories, and Inspiration on the weekly Parsha
In this week’s Parsha, the Yidden are traveling through the Midbar. The pasuk says V’chi yamuch achicha, Umata yodo imach – if your brother becomes impoverished and stretches out his hand – vehechzakta bo – you should give him strength. If a person needs help or assistance you should care for him and support him. There…
In the beginning of this week’s Parsha, the pasuk starts off, “Emor El Hakohanim” – say to the Kohanim… right after, the pasuk says “Vamarta Aleyihem” – and say to them. Rashi says that the Kohanim received a double charge. They were charged to protect their kedusha and “Lehazir Gedolim Al HaKetanim” – they were…
In this week’s Parsha, we are commanded “V’ahavta l’rei’echa kamocha, you shall love your neighbor like yourself. There is an obvious question here. What exactly does this mean? How is it possible to love someone else as we love ourselves? Isn’t that counterintuitive? After all, we are wired to fend and protect ourselves. We are wired…
Read More “Parshas Acharei Mos-Kedoshim Inspiration: Is Love Possible??” »
In this week’s Parsha, the Torah speaks about someone contracting tzaraas, a lesion on the skin that appears due to different types of sins. The pasuk says “Adam ki yieyeh…” – A person who contracts tzaraas should be brought to Aharon Hakohen, or one of his sons, the kohanim. Someone who is presumed to have…
In this week’s Parsha, the pasuk says, u’fashat es begadav, the Kohen, divests himself of his holy priestly clothing, velavash begadim acherim, he puts on ordinary simple clothing, vehotzi es hadeshin, in order to remove and dispose of the ashes. The question is why? Why do we require the holy Kohen to do the menial…
In this week’s Parsha, the pasuk says, “Adam ki yakriv mikem karbon lashem – when a person from you offers a sacrifice to Hashem.” There is a question here: The Torah could have simply said Adam ki yakriv karbon lashem – when a person brings a sacrifice to Hashem. Why does the Torah use the…
In this week’s Parsha (26:3), The Torah promises that if the Jewish people en masse keep the Torah, they will be blessed with every conceivable blessing. They will be blessed with prosperity, security, and satiety. Immediately after the pasuk (26:6) says, Hashem promises, I’ll give you peace. There is a question here: You have every…
In this week’s Parsha (25:35), the pasuk says V’chi yamuch achicha – if your brother becomes impoverished – Umata yodo imach – and he is in close proximity to you– vehczaktah – you should give him strength. Literally, the pasuk means that if a person gets impoverished, poverty-stricken, or indigent you should give him a lift – you should take care…
In the beginning of this week’s Parsha, the Kohanim are warned to avoid Tumah (impurity). The pasuk starts off “Emor El Hakohanim” – say to the Kohanim… On this Pasuk, Rashi says that the Kohanim were charged, “Lehazir Gedolim Al HaKetanim” – to make sure that the adults admonish the children and warn them how to behave. I heard from…
Read More “Parshas Emor: The Key to Raising Good Children” »
In this week’s Parsha (19:18) we are commanded “V’ahavta l’rei’echa kamocha, you shall love your neighbor like yourself.” I would like to share with you two questions: Why does the Torah stipulate kamocha – to love someone like yourself? Wouldn’t it have been sufficient to say, V’ahavta l’rei’echa– love your neighbor? Secondly, how can we love someone as…
