Torah Thoughts, Stories, and Inspiration on the weekly Parsha
“And Aharon was silent …” (Vayikra 10:3) On the very day that the dedication of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) took place, Nadav and Avihu, two of the sons of Aharon, the Kohen Gadol (High Priest), died. Aaron’s most noteworthy traits were his great love for his fellow man and his desire to bring peace between people….
Have you ever wondered what the relationship between happiness and matzah is? Rav Yitzchok Fingerer shlita explains: As part of Hebrew grammar, certain letters are understood to be interchangeable. One pair is that of Shin (ש) and Tzaddik .(צ) In line with this, the word for being in a state of happiness – Samaich (happiness)…
The Poor Blacksmith I saw a story in the Torah Tavlin about a blacksmith who lived in the city of Slutzk, who was extremely destitute. Though he had worked hard, he always found it hard to provide amply for himself and his family. One year, a few days before Pesach, the blacksmith came to Rav…
“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…
“A person who brings from you a sacrifice to G-d …” (Vayikra 1:2) In this week’s Parsha it says, “Adam Ki Yakriv Mikem Korban Lashem– A person who brings from you a sacrifice to G-d.” I heard from Rav Yitzchok Fingerer shlita, the word “Mikem– From You” is Gematria (the numerical value of) 100. Perhaps…
“Hashem called to Moshe…” (Vayikra 1:1) The Medrash Rabbah comments on the pasuk, “Hashem called to Moshe” with a parable. There once was a king who commanded his servant to build him a magnificent palace. The servant fulfilled the king’s order and constructed an impressive palace that was lavishly decorated and beautifully furnished. The servant…
“Hashem called to Moshe…” (Vayikra 1:1) In the first word of this week’s Parsha, Parshas Vayikra, Moshe wrote the letter Aleph smaller than the other letters. In the first word of Divrei Hayamim (Chronicles), the Aleph is written larger than the rest. Why is this so? Perhaps an answer is that the small Aleph in…
“And Moshe called …” (35:1) The Yalkut (Remez 408) has an astounding teaching: The one and only time the Torah says “Vayakhel” (referring to the fact that Moshe proactively and deliberately gathered all the Jews together), was for the building of the Mishkan. I heard from Rav Yitzchok Fingerer that the Avnei Nezer and the…
This they shall give …” (30:13)The Torah records that Moshe had difficulty understanding several items, e.g., the Menorah and the sheretz (creeping animals), and Hashem showed him examples. But what trouble could he have comprehending the half shekel? Had he never seen a coin before? Why did Hashem show him a coin of fire when…
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