Danny Ginsbourg

Parshat Tazria: The supernatural affliction

Are speakers of lashon ha’ra not found amongst the nations? Why then don’t we find that they are afflicted by tzaraat?

What is: 'The thing that Hashem has commanded?'

Shmini describes the wondrous events of that first day of Nissan, the eighth day of the investiture of the Mishkan.

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.’

Moshe could not enter the Tent of Assemby

At the end of the Book of Shmot, Moshe cannot enter the Tent of Assembly and the shechina has not yet spoken with him!

Vayakhel: The assembly of atonement

The whole of Hashem’s wish in the offerings of the Mishkan was as an atonement for the sin of the calf, to thereby again cleave to Hashem. Careful reading shows that.

What was the Sin of the Golden Calf?

if all this was the work of the non-Jewish erev rav, why were Bnei Israel so severely punished?

And you [Moshe], command the children of Israel...

Moshe’s name is not mentioned in our Parasha.

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.

Mishpatim: The intriguing issue of the Hebrew slave

What did the Torah see, to start its words on the ordinances, specifically on the subject of ‘the Jewish slave? What the commentaries have to say.

Yitro: A mussar lesson from the stones of the altar

‘We can learn from this about man, that even if he is engaged in a Mitzvah or worthwhile matter, how careful he must be not to act disrespectfully towards others.’

Why does the firsst mitzva sanctify the moon?

The underlying message of our reckoning by the moon, is that the moon is at times in absolute darkness, without even a sliver of light, yet even at this time, we know that it will soon return.

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.

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?