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Parshat Shavua

News and updates about Parshat Shavua

Tzav: Here is a riddle for you:

What it says on the tin should be what you find within it.

Tzav: Here is a riddle for you:

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch on the parsha: Tethered to the past

Our mission and our ancestors’ mission are one and the same.

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch on the parsha: Tethered to the past

What did Hashem say to Moshe from the Ohel Moed?

Our Sages expound the word ‘Saying’ in the first pasuk in several ways, feeling that it is superfluous, as immediately after it - in the second pasuk - the Torah again says:’Speak to Bnei Israel, and say to them.’

What did Hashem say to Moshe from the Ohel Moed?

Eretz Yisrael in the parsha: Peace offerings

Young religious Zionist Torah scholars connect the parasha and the Holy Land.

Eretz Yisrael in the parsha: Peace offerings

Talking Parsha - Vayikra & Zachor: Why 'call' Moshe??

How does the small 'aleph' in the first work of Vayikra - a minor nuance - contribute to the deeper meaning? And why is the book named after its first word? Join us as we uncover the connection between Vayikra, Shabbat Zachor, and Purim.

Talking Parsha - Vayikra & Zachor: Why 'call' Moshe??

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch on the parsha: Do you care?

Animosity is often better than indifference.

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch on the parsha: Do you care?

Talking Parsha:

Pekudei: Why "Set up" the Mishkan??

As we conclude the book of Shemot and the construction of the Mishkan, Hashem instructs Moshe to set it up. A notable emphasis is placed on the verb "setting up" (קום) in the Torah.

Pekudei: Why "Set up" the Mishkan??

Shmot: The book of human judgment

The book of Shemot ends on a triumphant note.

Shmot: The book of human judgment

Sanctifying time

In human behavior and thought, time is as important as wealth or location or the accomplishment of any human deeds.

Sanctifying time

Talking Parsha:

Parashat Vayakhel: Why was Bezalel chosen??

Why does Moshe introduce Bezalel by saying, 'Look?' Where was Bezalel summoned, and what meaning does his summoning have for us today?

Parashat Vayakhel: Why was Bezalel chosen??

Ki Tisa: Moses' sapphire quarry

Israel's first Chief Rabbi: Moses, it turns out, was fabulously wealthy. Why is that significant?

Ki Tisa: Moses' sapphire quarry

Talking Parsha - Ki Tisa:

Moshe's mask - what's the story??

In the final passages of the Parsha, Moshe descends from Mount Sinai carrying the new Luchot. However, his return is marked by a striking physical transformation.

Moshe's mask - what's the story??

Rav Samson R. Hirsch on the parsha: Want to be free?

The Torah enables us to rise above the natural order.

Rav Samson R. Hirsch on the parsha: Want to be free?

Talking Parsha - Tetzaveh: Stones of Remembrance??

The stones on the shoulders of the apron, and the stones on the breastplate, both serve as reminders. What significance does this hold? And why the emphasis on remembrance?

Talking Parsha - Tetzaveh: Stones of Remembrance??

Lessons in the Parsha related to Eretz Yisrael

Young Religious Zionist Torah scholars teach the connections between this week's Torah Reading and the Holy Land.

Lessons in the Parsha related to Eretz Yisrael

Rabbi Samson R. Hirsch on the parsha: Hold its feet

The Jewish lamb is happy, joyful, and virile – not meek.

Rabbi Samson R. Hirsch on the parsha: Hold its feet

Parshat Tetzaveh: The unity of the gemstones

iI is the combining of the physical and the spiritual facets that are necessary for true redemption and we see it in the IDF soldiers today.

Parshat Tetzaveh: The unity of the gemstones

Why are the details so important?

The Mishkan’s construction is described at length, down to the finest detail. What, in fact, is the importance of these small details?

Why are the details so important?

Terumah: The Iron Wall

Israel's first Chief Rabbi: Walls of iron are different from walls of stone, and each suits a different period of Jewish history.

Terumah: The Iron Wall

Talking Parsha

Truma: What's this vessel about??

This week, we embark on constructing the Mishkan as Hashem instructs Moshe on crafting its various vessels. Amidst the holiest sanctuaries, besides the Ark and Kruvim, we encounter a lesser-known vessel: the Kaporet.

Truma: What's this vessel about??

Eretz Yisrael in the parsha

Young religious Zionist Torah scholars find connections to the Land of Israel in the Torah reading.

Eretz Yisrael in the parsha

Weekly Torah Study: Terumah

Where is the Ark of the Covenant?

Weekly Torah Study: Terumah

Consider the implications of your words

The State of Israel will never come to the point of Shimshon, because when push comes to shove, we will use all the weapons at our disposal to kill our enemies.

Consider the implications of your words

Take for Me an offering and you take Me, too!

Commentaries expound on the meaning of the verse "take for me" instead of "give to me" in this week's parasha on the building of the Tabnernacle.

Take for Me an offering and you take Me, too!

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch on the parsha: 6 and 1

The menorah teaches us how to live our lives.

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch on the parsha: 6 and 1

Eretz Yisrael in the parsha; Learn the Kuzari Series

Young religious Zionist Torah scholars teach the connection between the weekly Torah reading and the Land of Israel. New series: Rabbi Yehuda Halevy's Book of the Kuzari.

Eretz Yisrael in the parsha; Learn the Kuzari Series

Talking Parsha

Mishpatim: Who's the angel of Yisrael?

After the Torah is given, G-d mentions sending an angel to lead the Jewish People. But after the Golden Calf, the same offer is made, and the Jewish People respond with an outcry. Why does the mention of an angel evoke varied responses? What is this 'malach' about?

Mishpatim: Who's the angel of Yisrael?

The blueprint for a just society

The goal is not to sit at Har Sinai, eat Mannah and bask in the light of Hashem but rather to create a real, down to earth just society.

The blueprint for a just society

Mishpatim: Time for Torah

When I study the Torah and come to “know” G-d’s thinking as well as Adam knew Eve, G-d is present in my mind.

Mishpatim: Time for Torah

Rabbi Hirsch on the parsha: Did rabbis make it up?

An unusual law in Parshas Mishpatim makes the case for the divine authorship of the Torah.

Rabbi Hirsch on the parsha: Did rabbis make it up?

Anti-Truth: Hamas’ latest weapon - in the parsha

Our enemies anti-truth forces us into defensive mode, explaining how we couldn't have perpetrated the atrocities of which they accuse us and distracts us from calling them to account for their own behavior. It doesn't have to be that way. Op-ed.

Anti-Truth: Hamas’ latest weapon - in the parsha

Rabbi Hirsch: Cardiac Jews, Orthopraxic Jews

Neither the heart nor the deed is sufficient. G-d wants both.

Rabbi Hirsch: Cardiac Jews, Orthopraxic Jews

Eretz Yisrael in the Parsha: Song of the Sea

Why did the Israelites connect the Red Sea with the Temple?

Eretz Yisrael in the Parsha: Song of the Sea

Reliving Parshat Bo in Gaza

Only in Israel, where we have a holisitc identity as a people, do mitzvot take on their full meaning, as we build a society committed to the ideals of Judaism. In Gaza: Pidyon haben by means of tefillin.

Reliving Parshat Bo in Gaza

Eretz Yisrael in the Parsha: As if given you today

Religious Zionist Torah scholars find connections to Eretz Yisrael in the Torah reading for Shabbat.

Eretz Yisrael in the Parsha: As if given you today

Talking Parsha - Bo:

Darkness - what's so scary??

As the plagues intensify in Egypt, the plague of darkness stands out as a unique phenomenon. Unlike the fiery hail or the me

Darkness - what's so scary??

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch on the parsha: Speak up!

Tell your children what you believe and why.

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch on the parsha: Speak up!

Talking Parsha - Va'era:

Why did the magicians imitate Moshe?!

If the intention of Pharaoh's magicians is to demonstrate parity with Moshe, why don't they counteract his miracles instead of duplicating them?

Why did the magicians imitate Moshe?!

The staff of peace, the staff of justice

After defeating our enemies, after bringing peace – then comes the time for justice.

The staff of peace, the staff of justice

Vaera: Distance strengthens our bond

A name that we may not write or utter is a name that is beyond human conjecture. To receive a blessing from this name is to receive truly unlimited blessing.

Vaera: Distance strengthens our bond

Rabbi Hirsch on the parsha: Moshe wasn’t G-d

The Torah wanted to make sure we didn’t get carried away.

Rabbi Hirsch on the parsha: Moshe wasn’t G-d

Going to peace

Israel's first Chief Rabbi: 'Proceed towards your destination, but do not expect that the path itself will be peaceful and easy.'

Going to peace

Shemot: How we survived

We found meaning; that is how we survived.

Shemot: How we survived

Shemot: Aaron's reward for 'rejoicing in his heart'

Breishit is filled with fraternal strife,until nearly its end, but Shemot has the exemplary brotherly relationsip of Aaron and Moshe.

Shemot: Aaron's reward for 'rejoicing in his heart'

Shemot: A phenomenon of this war

There is a phenomenon associated with the current tragic war, which we must preserve well beyond it.

Shemot: A phenomenon of this war

Talking Parsha - Shemot

Parashat Shemot: Hashem wanted to kill Moshe??

As Moshe was returning from Egypt, Hashem tried to kill him. What prompted Hashem's initial intent? Why did circumcising his son save him?

Parashat Shemot: Hashem wanted to kill Moshe??

Let us multiply and spread

Growth as a direct, beneficial consequence of trauma.

Let us multiply and spread

Leading a nation

A leader's strength is in redirecting behavior, turning a snake into a staff.

Leading a nation

Lesson in the parasha about Israel: Burial in the Holy Land

Why was it so important for Yaakov to be buried specifically within Eretz Yisrael?

Lesson in the parasha about Israel: Burial in the Holy Land

Vayechi: Jacob's Sword and Bow

Israel's first Chief Rabbi: The sword and bow mentioned by Jacob are symbols of much deeper issues.

Vayechi: Jacob's Sword and Bow

Talking Parsha - Vayechi:

Parashat Vayechi: Yosef still hates his brothers??

After returning from burying Yaakov, the brothers worry that Yosef harbors resentment towards them. What led to this fear?

Parashat Vayechi: Yosef still hates his brothers??

Eretz Yisrael in the parsha: Shiloh

Young religious Zionist Torah scholars on the connection between the parsha and the Land.

Eretz Yisrael in the parsha: Shiloh

Talking Parsha - Vayigash: This is what Yehuda said??

This week, we delved into Yehuda's impactful speech as he approached Yosef—an address that moved Yosef to tears.

Talking Parsha - Vayigash: This is what Yehuda said??

Parshat Vayigash: Letting the tears flow

There is only so long we can put on brave faces without making space for the latent grief and fear within us. Yosef's tears teach us that.

Parshat Vayigash: Letting the tears flow

Rabbi S.R. Hirsch on the parsha: Should we pave our own path?

Individuality is valuable but only if the Torah lies at its core.

Rabbi S.R. Hirsch on the parsha: Should we pave our own path?

Talking Parsha - Miketz:

Who are the dreams for - Pharaoh or Yosef??

What makes these dreams particularly unsettling for Pharaoh? What elements within them shake him to the core?

Who are the dreams for - Pharaoh or Yosef??

Eretz Yisrael in the Parasha: How is Zion connected to Joseph

Religious Zionist Torah scholars find connections between each parsha and Eretz Yisrael.

Eretz Yisrael in the Parasha: How is Zion connected to Joseph

The Parsha and Current Events: The dreams of kings

There are many scenarios but all will center around our prophets’ predictions that under Hashem, we will be the torchbearers of a new era,

The Parsha and Current Events: The dreams of kings

Miketz: Joseph's test

Joseph created a scene that almost exactly reenacted his own story.

Miketz: Joseph's test

Rabbi Hirsch on the parsha:Is your wife on the same page as you?

Asnas came from a very different background than Yosef, but she embraced his vision.

Rabbi Hirsch on the parsha:Is your wife on the same page as you?