Our Parasha opens with the injunction:(32:1)’האזינו: Listen O Heavens, and I will speak; and may the earth hear the words of my mouth.’
Why does Moshe begin the song of Ha'azinu by speaking to the sky & the earth, & how is this connected to Yom Kippur & the holiday of Sukkot?
Iti's odd to say that separating nations and fixing boundaries to keep them apart is a formula for unity. But unity is precisely that..
The only way to mend a heart seared by the shofar blast ending Yom Kippur is with joy, that of choosing an etrog for His sake.
All the events of Jewish history are outlined in this parsha. Ramban called Moshe an exceptional prophet, and 750 years later,it sill holds.
The rural South Africa Jewish community goes from observant to ignorant in the span of less than a century and this rabbi recorded it.
The Chatam Sofer had an illuminating explanation of the famous dispute between Rashbi and Rabbi Yishmael about Torah study and work.
Despite its being a temporary dwelling, the Sukkah has rules on how it is to be built.
Even at the most sacred of times, I have followed my strict rulings in the mind, and gave that credence worthy of no man.
As G-d’s world was launched, He already provided the capacity for atonement on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, repentance, forgiveness.
We disappointed Hashem from the Exodus until today, not living up to expectations, but we have also proven that we want to be bonded to Him.
Resources to enrich your experience and that of your loved ones: Letters to the next generation, reflections on prayer, 10 Days 10 Ways,
The Yom Kippur fast is to detach our souls a little from the material shackles, and allow good and true aspirations to be revealed.
Summary of the laws that pertain to the holiest and most solemn day of the Jewish year
5 things to remember, 5 questions to ask oneself, and how youngsters see the day.
Forgive us, for the sin we committed before You by not appreciating the special miracle we have been privilieged to see in our lifetime.
Yom Kippur is not meant for us to find fault with anyone but our own selves.
In our imperfect and incomplete world it is often difficult to find God, sense His presence and recognize His concern. On Yom Kippur we can.
Talking Parsha - Vayelech and Yom Kippur
Read what Torah luminaries say about Hakhel, the next to last mitzva in the Torah: the reasons for it, its timing and its effect
G-d had given Israel 611 mitzvot via Moshe, only two more remain. And these two final mitzvot ensure Jewish continuity after Moshe is gone
In our parasha: Every 7 years, post Shmitta, all Jews - men, women, elderly, children - must come to hear the Torah at the Beit Hamidkash.
On Rosh Hashanah the order of Hashem’s judicial overview begins with the Jews in Eretz Yisrael, and as we go, so goes the rest of humanity
This parsha especially gains in power and relevance as Jewish history unfolds over thousands of years.
Why does the Rambam change the language of the Gemara when it comes to changing one's status during the Ten Days of Repentance?
The Tanya compacts four millennia of Jewish wisdom to answer the great personal and existential questions of life.
The only way to repent for things we did wrong is to know them first and for this we must make an honest accounting. But don't stop there.
The keys to the teshuva process are elucidated by rabbis and commentators.
A Mishnah Project message.
Though we generally associate Yom Kippur with atonement, the Torah defines taharah (purification) as the day’s goal
Among the Israeli Jewish public there is a clear and absolute majority in favor of national and traditional identity,
How fortunate and privileged we are to accept upon ourselves the majesty of the King of kings on Rosh Hashanah
A primer for observing the New Year holiday which begins Sunday eve. May it be the harbinger of good things for Israel and the world.
Rabbi Kalonymous Kalman Shapira, zt"l, the Admor (Hasidic rebbe) from Piaseczno. had a special approach to Rosh Hashanah's challenges..
The answer depends on which anniversary the holiday is meant to recognize.
God is saying"Offer up Isaac" and "Don’t offer up Isaac". Which is the real voice of God? And how do we deal with fear of the year ahead?
A look at the commentaries on what it means to choose life for ourselves and future generations..
Why is Moshe offering the Jewish people a choice, but telling them what to choose? And who would choose death? What kind of choice is this?
There is no separate Shulchan Aruch for rabbis, no dispensation for kings and prophets. The covenant binds and governs us all equally.
Life doesn’t stand still; it is volatile and mercurial with resha’im dictating the direction of world affairs. Come before it's too late.
When you follow something proven, you have no choice, no freedom; the arguments compel you. When you believe, it is your choice.
Often, the individual can hide behind the community. Sometimes it is essential for him to face personal scrutiny, to stand alone.
Since Moshe said “all of you” why did he add "your heads, your Tribes, your elders and your officers, every man of Israel; your infants..."?
In a flash of revelation, I understood that all of the world, with all its enticements, was a mask hiding the presence of the Creator.
Studying science is a must both in terms of deepening the understanding of the Torah, and in terms of the ability to make a living
It is the month of Elul, and it is time. For our spirits to soar upward. For our feet to remember in which direction they wish to walk.
In a sense, Rav Hutner during his lifetime existed beyond time and place. Last of a series. Links to previous articles are below.
Imagine mixing the most amazing ingredients together for a delicious cake but never putting it in the oven!
Israel's gov't, the Jewish Agency, and Nefesh B’Nefesh accept large sums of money from Christian organizations to aid aliya. Should they?
He fought an 18-year legal battle, up to the Supreme Court, and retained a prime piece of Jerusalem real estate for the Jewish People.
Most people would say unity without differences is preferable, but Judaism underlines unity with differences.
Israel's first Chief Rabbi: What was the significance of the ox? Why the golden horns and olive-twig crown? And why was the flute chosen?
What went through Moshe's mind as he reviewed the forty years in the desert and castigated the people, then blessed them?
This week, apparently something very important happens, because Moshe declares to Am Yisrael that "today you have become a nation".
Historically, Jews are able to trust in God, no matter what is occurring.
Comparing the first set of admonitions (tochacha) with those in this week's parasha.
What do the commentators say about the Torah reprimanding or punishing us for not performing mitzvot joyfully?
The most bitter curse of all of those in the parasha is that future generations will undo all we have done.
We have a responsibility, mindful of the extraordinary role model the Queen was, to be selfless, committed, dedicated in service of others.
