Torah Thoughts, Stories, and Inspiration on the weekly Parsha
In this week’s Parsha (32:25) we are told that Jews are forbidden to eat the Gid HaNashe (Sciatic Nerve). Why? I heard from Rav Yitzchok Fingerer shlita, that the Chizkuni writes that this is so because Yaakov’s children left him alone. They should have accompanied and sought to protect their father. They are blamed for the injury that Yaakov…
Read More “Parshas Vayishlach: How to Beat the Evil Inclination” »
We are going through very hard times right now but Hashem wants us to be Happy and Joyful. Enjoy this week’s episode with Rabbi Shlomo Landau where he shares an incredible story with insight on being Jewish and Joyful.
In this week’s Parsha, we are told that our patriarch Yaakov was traveling. He laid down to go to sleep and he had a dream. When Yaakov awoke from his dream he was immediately spurred to action. He recognized the holiness of the place and the importance of the moment. He was startled, astonished, shaken,…
“And the man was astonished…” (Bereishes 24:21) When Eliezer the servant of Avraham was seeking out a Shidduch for Yitzchok, he encountered Rivka at the well. When describing Eliezer’s reaction upon seeing Rivka the pasuk says that Eliezer was astonished. We can understand why Eliezer was elated at the prospect of fulfilling his mission but…
In this week’s Parsha, At the age of ninety-nine, Avraham does a heroic feat – He circumcises himself. This resulted into a Divine Revelation where Hashem appears to him. As the pasuk (18:1) says, Vayeira eilav Hashem, Hashem appeared to him. Now, there is a big question here: I heard from Rav Yitzchok Fingerer shlita that Rav Mottel…
Read More “Parshas Vayeira: The Power of Going Above and Beyond Your Nature ” »
In this week’s Parsha (Breishes 15:5), Hashem tells Avraham to look at the stars. Hashem informs Avraham, “So too will be your offspring.” What does this promise mean that the Jewish people will be like stars? Rav Zelig Pliskin, shlita, explains: The Baal Shem Tov says that the Jewish descendants of Avraham are like stars….
The Midrash Tanchuma says that the lion in Noach’s ark injured Noach. Why would the lion be so brazen and impetuous? Didn’t the lion appreciate Noach’s efforts? Couldn’t the lion wait patiently for his food? Let me share with you a powerful message that I heard from Rav Yitzchok Fingerer shlita: Rav Avrohom Kalmanowitz zt”l…
In this week’s Torah Portion (Berieshes 4:10) we are told of two brothers Kayin and Hevel – the first brothers of human history. Kayin and Hevel couldn’t get along, and one brother, Kayin kills his brother Hevel. The verse says the bloods of your brother are crying from the ground. The commentaries ask why the…
Read More “Parshas Berishes: How Your Words Affect Generations” »
Why is such eminence ascribed to the Lulav? Why is the Lulav so paramount? After all, according to Chazal, the Esrog represents the Tzaddik, the wholly righteous person, who is resplendent in both good deeds and Torah learning. Yet, surprisingly, the Beracha that is recited focuses entirely on the Lulav, (as we say “Al Netilas…
The Gemara (Sukkah 26a) derives from the pasukin Parshas Emor (Vayikra 23:42), בַּסֻכֹּת תֵּשְׁבוּ – (For a seven-day period you shall live in booths) that a person should dwell in his sukkah for the seven days of Yom Tov just as one dwells in his house all year. However, the Satmar Rebbe writes that it…
