Torah Thoughts, Stories, and Inspiration on the weekly Parsha
“Yisro, the minister of Midian…” (18:1) Yisro, the minister of Midian, the father-in-law of Moshe, heard everything that Hashem did to Moshe and to Yisrael, His people (18:1). Yisro heard about the Splitting of the Sea and the Jews’ battle with Amalek, and this inspired him to join the nation (Rashi, citing Zevachim 116a). In…
“Take one jar and put a full omer of manna into it …” (16:33) Moshe instructed Aharon to take one portion of manna and place it in the Aron (Ark) next to the Sefer Torah. This served as an eternal reminder of Hashem’s love for His people and how He sustained them in the wilderness…
“This is my G-d, and I will glorify Him…” (15:2) This week’s Parsha details the unprecedented miracle of Kriyas Yam Suf, the splitting of the sea. Upon witnessing the immense miracle, the Jewish people exuberantly proclaim, “Zeh Keili v’anvei’hu, Elokei Avi v’Arrom’menhu – This is my G-d, and I will glorify Him; the G-d of…
“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…
“Hashem is righteous, and I and my nation are wicked…” (9:27) There was a simpleton who once made his way to the home of a wealthy man. He had never met the man but had heard of his reputation for immense wealth and lavish possessions. The visitor was awestruck by the magnificent home, and the…
Read More “Parshas Va’eira – The Peasant and the Wealthy Man” »
“The Children of Israel were fruitful, teemed.…” (1:7) Rashi quotes the Midrash that learns from the above verse “The Children of Israel were fruitful, teemed, increased, and became strong – very, very much so” that Hashem made a miracle that whenever a woman gave birth, she gave birth to six children. The Midrash says that the verse is hinting…
“And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt…” (47:28) This week’s Parsha says that Yaakov lived 147 years. Yaakov should have really lived much longer but Hashem punished because of a lapse in Emunah. During their very first encounter. Pharaoh asked Yaakov a very personal question. As the pasuk says (Bereishis 47:8), “Vayomer Pharaoh el…
“Thus, Israel settled in the land of Egypt in the region of Goshen…” (47:27) In Darash Moshe, Rav Moshe Feinstein asks: Why does the Torah state here that Yisroel settled in Egypt when we know from the preceding verses that Goshen was a region in Egypt? He answers that perhaps the Torah is teaching us…
“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…
