Torah Thoughts, Stories, and Inspiration on the weekly Parsha
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…
“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” »
“Hashem spoke to Moshe saying…” (Bamidbar 5:11– 6:1) In Sichos Rav Nosson Tzvi, Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel zt”l explains: The Gemara teaches: “The topic of Nazir was juxtaposed with the topic of Sotah (a suspected adulteress), to teach that one who sees a Sotah at the time of her disgrace should abstain from wine” (Sotah…
Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt”l would recount the following story: The Chasam Sofer headed a prestigious yeshivah in the city of Pressburg. One day, a young man knocked at his door and said that he wanted to join the yeshivah. “What topics are you prepared to be tested on?” The Chasam Sofer asked him. The young…
The highlight and pinnacle of Jewish history was Har Sinai, meeting Hashem at the mountain. We were exalted and lifted to zenith heights. I heard from Rav Yitzchok Fingerer shlita, that perhaps this would affect our egos. Hashem bids us to remember our beginning as slaves. Perhaps this is why the Torah reading on the…
“And then the sons of Kehath should come to carry…” (Bamidbar 4:15) The Gemara (Sotah 35a) teaches us that the holy Ark was in reality not borne by others: It supported its bearers. The Pasuk (above) teaches that the sons of Kehath came to carry the Ark, but in reality, they were carried by it….
Read More “Parshas Bamidbar – The Greatest Thing In The World” »
“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…
Read More “Parshas Behar – Bechukosai: Money For Kindness” »
“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…
