Elul 8, 5778, 8/19/2018
 The perfect foodDelusional memories, tepid defense. Haftarat Naso: What's your name?Both Jacob and Manoach asked for the name of the angel who appeared to them - but how different their questions were from each other. Waving away the conflictThe idea of waving the omer, known as tenufa, is something we see several times in the Torah. What does it signify? Internalizing a Torah IdealThe centrality of self-control is evident in the admonition offered concerning the Divine presence. Ha Lachma Anya – A redundant invitation?A short set of statements in Aramaic plays an essential role in laying out the foundation for the evening ahead. Megillat Esther: The moment of decisionThe path to genocide. Everlasting impactThe idea of a Divine Revelation to a mass of people, and their personal recollections passed down from generation to generation, serves as the bedrock for belief in God. Perfect balance“You inclined Your right hand; the earth swallowed them up.” Miketz: The SommelierA person who see himself as a purely independent existence can have little room for God. Vayeshev: The evil wifeAll the wrong reasons. Divergent pathsNo mechanism within Judaism exists to tolerate a communal religion. Good or bad?A heavy burden.The real blessingThe Torah lists blessings, but what is good about being so blessed? Three in orderAbout priorities. No menial taskWhy is all of the information here important, especially in light of the fact that the various assignments in the parsha were particular to the sojourn of the Jews in the wilderness? Mr. Nice GuyThe Torah begins with chesed, kindness, and ends with chesed. Please be compassionateCompassion takes one to a different level of understanding. New ideas in the festivalsIf one would briefly analyze the festivals, it would become abundantly clear that each one is “built” around a specific theme of the Divine relationship with the Jewish people. Balak (Diaspora): No one is perfectThe Torah does not hide the faults of our founders. The notion of applying superhuman qualities to a human being is not a Jewish idea. Behaalotcha (Diaspora): The mysterious sinWhat is the sin that is not elucidated? Parshat Kedoshim: Yes, it is harmful!If someone seeks out the concepts of idolatry solely for a greater understanding of this area, he is giving value to that which by definition cannot be of any worth at all. The Purim story is not just the good guys against the bad guysWe can plan all we want, but we can never have complete knowledge of the world of cause and effect. Mishpatim: Breaches in chronologyThe Torah is not a history book, but one can learn from everything in it, even its order. Vaera: Pharaoh’s last chancePharaoh acts against all reason. Esau's AdieuWas Esau somewhat delusional in marrying the daughter of Ishmael? Rebuke in the parsha and in our livesAvraham admonishes Avimelech on two planes and gives us a lesson in personal relationships. Eichah- The Sodom ComparisonHow was our fate worse than that of Sodom? Elijah and Moses: The Traits of LeadershipA leader may not necessarily have the right personality traits for the nation or for the individual. He may need to realize he is not the right person for the job.Chukat: Well-Deserved PraiseTwo wells, several meanings. A Kohen's View of KehunaAnalysis of the distinct privileges and responsibilities of being a kohen. How Far Does the Exodus Story Go?Why does the Haggada jump from one theme to the next? The Limitations in Knowing YourselfThere is a limitation in our knowledge of the self, and that only God has complete knowledge. The Al Hanisim Prayer II: Well PlannedIn describing the Hellenic planning, the word “amda” is used. The same word is used when describing God’s intervention. Why would the Sages use the same word in describing each? Holiday Reading: The Supremacy of the Blessing of AsherEach blessing given to each tribe had two features to it. "Hayom harat olam" - Happy Birthday World!A short prayer that contains the essence of our relationship with G-d. Eikev: What Makes Israel Better?"The land where you are crossing to inherit is a land of mountains and plains--- by the rain of the skies will you drink water". |
