Vaera: Moses introduces the logical concept "kal vachomer"
The unspoken answer of Hashem, to Moshe’s query, as to why the affliction increased after Moshe’s first approach to Pharoah, leads to a kal vachoerm.
Danny Ginsbourg
News by Danny Ginsbourg
May G-d make you like Ephraim and like Menashe
Which brother comes first and what is the deep message hidden in the order of their names?
Why did G-d act with chessed towards Egypt?
Why did G-d warn Pharaoh of the famine to come?
No rest for the righteous in this world
The pasuk says וישב יעקב: ‘and Yaakov dwelt’, it clearly has the second meaning
Jacob's ladder is Jacob himself!
It is the will of Hashem, that a Jew be engaged in this physical world, and, in it, find a way to remain sanctified to Hashem.
Toldot: Hashem accepted Isaac's prayer, not Rivkah's
This thorny question as seen in the eyes of various commenttators.
'She is fit to enter the house of Abraham'
Even the most charitable of men, would not see a need to help those who are well able to attend to their own needs. Not so Rivkah.
'You shall give loving kindness to Abraham'
We are commanded to go in His ways, and our role is to do an act of chessed each and every day, as this is why we descended to this world.
Avraham descended to Egypt - why?
Why would a famine make Abraham leave the land G-d had told him to go to?
The lesson of the fourth day of Creation
The moon decided that Creation should be otherwise and was duly punished.
The simcha of Zebulun and of Issachar.
The wonderful Torah supporting partnership of Zebulun and Asher is explored y various Torah Sages as we prepare for Simchat Torah.
Why is this holiday called "Sukkot"?
And why did the Tur say that Sukkot is for Yaakov Avinu?
The great chessed of Divine Judgment
In this world, a judge cannot truly do ‘true justice’, so that it does not punish innocent people, those who may be affected by it.
'One thing I ask of Hashem' - the one thing He asks of us
What could Hashem need of us?
Nitzavim: You shall choose life
As we read our Parasha approaching the Day of Judgement, it guides us as to the ‘life’ for which we should fervently plead, on that Day.
Ki Tavo: A tale of two declarations
Two haggadot, two promises. Commentators weigh in on the differences and similarities.
'Go out to war against your enemy then Hashem will deliver him into your hand'
Commentaries weigh in on how waging war against enemies is what is ‘upright in the eyes of Hashem’.
Re'eh: You are children to Hashem, your G-d
The principle of principles - what do the commentaries say about this and how it affects every Jew?
What Moses learned from the Patriarch Jacob
Moshe rebuked them only a short while before his death. From whom did he learn this? From Yaakov. Why did Yaakov wait to rebuke his sons?
Matot-Maasei: Our mouths are sacred vessels
Various commentators weigh in on the power of speech.
Zealotry - for Hashem
Zealotry, like every other aspect of a Jew's life, has halakhic boundaries and limitations..
Balak: Learning mussar from a donkey
Are the donkey's words important enough to take up room in the Torah? Why?
It's not the snake that kills - but sin (Chukat-Israel)
Why did Hashem command Moshe to make the lifeless serpent, and to raise it on a pole?
The wondrous test - who was being tested? (Korach)
How could Moses be sure his threat would work?
Complete repentance? Not when it is a transgression in itself
The Israelites did not comprehend what their real sin was, so their repentance did not atone for it - quite the contrary.
The gift from Esau and Ishmael: Naaseh veNishma
Ramban:’Had not Israel accepted the Torah, the world would have returned to nothingness, BY ITSELF...’.
Count by the number of the names
Each name is a thread in the tapestry that is Am Israel - but why not do the same in parashat Pinchas, a later census?
Torah Portion:
The most difficult mitzva of all
Shmitta is the most difficult mitzva.What special relevance does the Mitzvah of Shemitah have to Har Sinai?.
‘Kedoshim: Reprove your fellow’- but first: reprove yourself!
Rabbi Tarfon said:'I would be amazed, if there is any person in this generation who will accept rebuke;' And what would we say?
The proportionate punishment for malicious speech - lashon hara
Why must only the slanderer be afflicted with tsaraat nd dwell alone outside the camp?
Shvi'i shel Pesach: 'And they had faith in Hashem and in Moshe, His servant'
Hashem has His sometimes hidden ways to vanquish His enemies and exact revenge upon them.
'So that you may relate in the ears of your son'
The message of the Exodus as seen by Torah commentators from the Riva to the Slonimer Rebbe.
The spiritual defect of a depleted pocket
Selected commentators explain why the priests had to be urged to bring the burnt offering as opposed to other offerings.
The offering of self
The wondrous burnt offering and what its purpose is. A selection of renowned commentators.
And Moshe saw all that Israel did - and he blessed them
Selected commentators explain what it means for Israel to have done all they were commanded when actually the artisans did the work.
The power of priestly clothes
Read the Netivot Shalom, Rav Zalman Sorotzkin, Rav Avigdor Nebenzahl,The Ra’ma, Maharal and more on the power of priestly clothes to atone..
These ordinances could only have been given at Sinai
Selected commentators explain the reasons ordinances between man and his fellow man had to be given at Sinai.
Were the Children of Israel deprived of Free Will at Sinai?
Delving into the events surrounding this seminal and unconditional acceptance of Torah by Bnei Israel.
The staff which was taken, not to be used
Why did Moshe take his staff with him to the top of the hill in the Amalek battle, as seemingly he did not perform any act with it?’
Why did Hashem make a mockery of Egypt?
What purpose does making a mockery of those who mock Hashem and mistreat His people?
