Danny Ginsbourg

Fair and good in the eyes of Hashem

Rashi expounds:’Fair and good’: compromising, acting beyond the strict demands of the law. What do other commentators say?

Matot-Masei: The crossing of the River Jordan test

How could Bnei Israel show their appreciation of this priceless gift, of the Land Hashem gave them? The answer is easier for olim to do.

Pinchas: Why harass the Midianites and not the Moabites?

A selection of rabbinic commentaries on the question.

Chukat [Diaspora]: Why Moshe struck the rock not once, but twice

There are levels of dedication to Am Yisrael that only Moshe reached. His hitting the rock, say these commentators, is an example.

"And Korach took": What did he take?

See how seven Torah commentators elucidate this one phrase.in different, but non-contradictory ways.

Lessons for life from Mitzvat Challah

The ‘first’ is always the most precious in a person’s mind; by setting it aside for Hashem, it becomes especially beloved by Hashem.

Moses, the humblest person on earth

What is the real meaning of humility? Is it self-deprecation or something very different?

Do not behave casually with Hashem

Commentators from the Dubnow Maggid to Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv on what the sin of behaving casually with Hashem means.

Want to merit entering the Land of Israel? Refrain from charging interest!

Keeping the prohibition on taking interest from one's fellow Jew is relying on the God who took us out of Egypt to bring us sustenance.

Blasphemy

Why did the son of an Egyptian man blaspheme?

Omer conundrums

All you have to do is count until Shavuot, but it is not as simple as it seems.

What Pesach mitzva did the Brisker Rav find the most difficult?

A wondrous midrash provides a clarification and way of looking at a difficult mitzva that we must observe on Pesach but all year as well.

The awesome sanctification of the Sanctuary

A review of commentators on the deaths of Nadav and Avihu: "I will be sanctiified through those who are nearest to Me,..."

Which offering is the most beloved to Hashem?

Read what the Kli Yakar, Tanchuma, Rabbi Aryeh Leib Eiger, the Netivot Shalom and others say about this quesiton.

Words that conquer the heart

The words ‘and say to them’ were in honor of Bnei Israel who donated to and toiled to make the Mishkan, repenting for the golden calf.

In the merit of Yitzchak Avinu

Hashem intended that the Mishkan be erected in the month in which Yitzchak Avinu was born.Why?

See the names: Bezalel the son of Uri the son of Hur

How did Hashem choose the man to build the Tabernacle? After all, the Jews were slaves and did not engage in crafts while in Egypt.

The sweet smell of the incense

There is a special significance to the concealed service, performed on the incense altar..

Terruma: Make Me a Sanctuary..

Where exactly is that Sanctuary located?

The Covenant - of the 5th, 6th, or 7th of Sivan?

The Covenant at Sinai was the most crucial event in all of Jewish history. How come there is a debate about when it occurred?

Who actually said the Ten Commandments at Sinai?

Jewish belief is clear and concise: G-d gave the Torah to Moshe, Moshe commanded it to us - but who actually said the 10 Commandments?

When Hashem spoke harshly to Moshe

Hashem laments the departure of the Avot, rebuking Moshe for his words.

Aaron, the High Priest|: A new creation

All the brothers in the book of Breishit vied with one another. What about Aaron and Moshe?

Humility, the greatest blessing

Yaakov Avinu, whose name ‘Israel’ we so proudly bear, truly lived the injunction of the prophet: (Micah 6:8):’Walk humbly with Hashem...’.

Joseph's brothers judge themselves

'Indeed we are guilty concerning our brother, inasmuch as we saw his heartfelt anguish, when he pleaded with us and we paid no heed...'

See my son!

Whilst to the brothers, Yosef’s dreams were like thorns in their eyes, to Reuben they were like sweet honey - and he wanted to save Yosef.

Fear of spiritual harm

Why didn't Jacob try to avoid meeting his brother?

Could Esau really have sold his birthright to Jacob?

Did Jacob take advantage of his brother's hunger to get hold of the birthright?

The final test

Why should Abraham purchase the burial cave for Sarah if G-d has already promised the land to him?

'And Hashem remembered Avraham' - and saved Lot?

Lot chose to live in Sodom, the by-word for wickedness, and the antithesis of all that Avraham had taught him. So why save him?

The hidden conflict behind the Battle of the Kings

Why would a battle between ancient kingdoms get such prominence in the parasha? Was it all that it seems?

Simchat Torah: The rejoicing OF the Torah

Who rejoices on the approaching holiday, the Jewish people or the Torah? Grammatically, it is the Torah. What makes the Torah rejoice, then?

Sukkot: The powerful festival of two in-gatherings

‘Every native in Israel shall dwell in Sukkot’(Emor 23;42), teaches that ‘all of Israel are deserving to sit in one Succah.’

The concealed holiday

In Rosh Hashanah, our Sages say, our main Mitzvah is: תמליכוני עליכם: Crown Me, Hashem, over you’.Why should G-d want man to crown Him?

The Covenant with those who are not here with us today

In Nitzavim, the Covenant with Hashem is described as binding future generations. How could those present bind those who are not present?

The forty year-long Ulpan

During their forty years of desert wandering, the most crucial lessons of Israel's essence were tested and learned.

The ultimate Le'chayim

No matter how far a person has fallen in his observance of Torah and Mitzvot, there is always a way back- a life-line.

The Israelites' iron dome

The Torah wants us to deduce something from the use of the word "regalim" instead of "peamim." The commentaries enlighten us.

The mitzva the nations mocked

The Red Heifer's meaning is not known, ’It is a decree from Hashem, and we do not question it.’ So how does it atone for the golden calf?

You, Moshe and Aaron, killed Hashem's people!

Were Moshe and Aaron guilty of the deaths of the 250 followers of Korach because they set a too difficult test for them?