Torah Thoughts, Stories, and Inspiration on the weekly Parsha
In this week’s Parsha, Moshe Rabbeinu warned Bnei Yisrael about the spiritual trap of idolatry (Devarim 13:5). He then spoke about the prohibitions concerning false prophets and the necessity to maintain loyalty to Hashem. When the Torah commands us to follow Hashem, the term אַחַרי Acharei is used. The word Acharei (after), implies distance. A…
In this week’s Parsha the Torah commands us not to follow other G-ds and that Hashem is One (Devarim 8:19). The Medrash says that the word וְהָיָה, vehaya refers to joy. What joy could there possibly be in forgetting Hashem? The Kotzker Rebbe says a phenomenal thought: This verse can be understood by dividing these words…
In this week’s Parsha the Torah commands us Ve’nishmartem me’od lenafshoseychem – to guard our health (Devarim 4:15). I saw from Rav Zelig Plisken shlita that the Chofetz Chaim explains that by the word lenafshoseychem, the Torah uses the term nefesh, which refers to the soul and does not say guard your body. This teaches…
Parshas Devarim is read on the Shabbos before Tishah B’Av, known as Shabbos Chazon, because its haftorah (Yeshayahu 1:1-1:27) begins with the words, “Chazon Yeshayahu — The vision of Yeshayahu.” On Shabbos Chazon, we contemplate the meaning of Tishah B’Av, the Ninth of Av. Rav Yechiel Spero shlita writes: Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev has…
Read More “Parshas Devarim – Tisha B’av: The King and the Suit” »
The Midianites caused the Jews in the desert to sin and act immorally. Hashem commanded Moshe to punish the Midianites for their terrible behavior. Hashem commands Moshe “Nakom Nikmas Bnei Yisrael” – to avenge the glory of the Jewish nation against Midyan (31:2). Yet when Moshe conveys the charge to the Bnei Yisrael he says “Nikmas Hashem” –…
The total population of the tribe of Binyamin was forty-five thousand six hundred. The tribe of Dan’s population was sixty-four thousand four hundred. Rav Zelig Plisken shlita writes: The Chofetz Chaim explains why those numbers are so remarkable: Binyamin had ten sons, while his brother Dan had only one son, named Chushim. Chushim was handicapped;…
In this week’s Parsha we learn the story about Bilam and his donkey. Our sages teach us that Hashem killed Bilam’s donkey to spare Bilam from embarrassment, as Rashi comments (22:33): So that [people] should not say, “This is the one that dismissed Bilam with its rebuke, and he was not able to respond,” for…
“The earth beneath them opened its mouth …” (Bamidbar 16:32) In this week’s Parsha we learn the story of Korach. Korach was the leader of a machlokes, a rebellion against Moshe and his brother Aharon, during the journey of the Jews from Egypt to the Land of Israel. As a punishment for his rebellion and fighting,…
“You shall see…” (Bamidbar 13:18 – 15:39) In the beginning of this week’s Parsha, when speaking about the spies who spied out on the land, the pasuk says U’ree’sem (13:18), and you shall see (the land). Interestingly, the same exact word is mentioned later, at the end of the Parsha, in reference to seeing the Tzitzis (15:39)….
“Aharon did so…” (Bamidbar 8:3) Hashem commanded Moshe to instruct Aharon to light the Menorah. The Torah then states: “Aharon did so… As Hashem commanded Moshe.” On this pasuk Rashi comments: “This is to tell the praise of Aharon that he did not change.” The Torah praises Aharon for not acting differently from Hashem’s instructions….
Read More “Parshas Behaaloscha – How to Master the Ability to Sustain Enthusiasm” »
