Torah Thoughts, Stories, and Inspiration on the weekly Parsha
“You shall not give him your money with interest…” (Vayikra 25:37) The prohibition against charging interest is juxtaposed with the laws of Shemittah (Sabbatical Year). What is the connection between the two? The Shemittah year is designed to remind all Jews that the land they till every day is a gift from Hashem. The prohibition…
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“Open my eyes, that I may perceive the wonders of Your Torah…” (Tehillim 119:18) The Pasuk in Tehillim (above) says: “Open my eyes, that I may perceive the wonders of Your Torah…” I heard an incredible insight from Rav Yitzchok Fingerer shlita: The word of גל (“Gal”) – (open and reveal) are the same letters…
“Speak to the Kohanim…” (Vayikra 21:1) 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. However, the Sefer Be’eres Mayim says that “Lehazir” comes from the word Zohar and means to cause to radiate or…
“You should love your fellow Jew as yourself …” (Vayikra 19:18) In this week’s Parsha, the Torah bids us: “You should love your fellow Jew as yourself”. This is a very challenging and difficult task. How are we supposed to accomplish something so lofty? Hashem gave us role models of two brothers, Moshe Rabbeinu, and…
“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 shall be the law…” (Vayikra 14:2) The Gemara (Arachin 16a) lists several reasons why one would contract the disease of tzaraas (often translated as leprosy). The list almost exclusively mentions Mitzvos affecting other people rather than those which deal only with Hashem, and they each share one common denominator – causing harm to a fellow Jew. One may…
When a woman conceives…” (Vayikra 12:2) The pinnacle of a mother’s life is when she gives birth and cradles a newborn in her arms. There is no greater joy. She is euphoric. I heard from Rav Yitzchok Fingerer shlita, that Rav Menachem Mendel of Kotzk asks that it seems so inconsistent and incongruous. Just when the…
“And Moshe thoroughly investigated…” (Vayikra 10:16) This Pasuk, which is the midpoint of the Torah says “Dorosh Dorash Moshe” (Moshe expounded or investigated). It then says Vayiksof (and he got angry). I heard from Rav Yitzchok Fingerer shlita, that perhaps this is to teach us a lesson in self-discipline. Before one gets angry, he must…
“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)…
