Rabbi Yonatan Kirsch

A Shavuot thought;

From the bush to the mountain

Learning to seek the fire: we find many parallels between the story of the burning bush, the Sneh, and Matan Torah at Mount Sinai.

Lag Ba'Omer:

When the world catches up to its secrets

There is another type of secret-knowledge that, even if explained, would remain a secret. That is the theme of Lag Ba'Omer.

Daf Yomi:

Opening Masechet Chulin: A fundamental question

Is there a connection between chulin meat and korban meat? Why do they share similar laws of slaughtering?

Parashat Teruma:

The Mikdash in Tefillin, Tzitzis, and Mezuza

How the current Daf Yomi connects with the parasha we read in Shul.

Returning from Sinai

Tens of thousands of IDF reservist soldiers are experiencing feelings not unlike those of the Israelites leaving Sinai. How does the Torah deal with this?

Parashat Bo:

When the dogs did not bark

Why is this fact of the non-barking dogs significant?

Daf Yomi:

Opening Menachot: A fundamental question

If we had to point to one question that touches many of the sugyot, what would that be?

Shemot:

The Nile and the source of blessing

There is a struggle here over the source of shefa - the flow of blessing - in the world.

Parashat Vayechi:

Yaakov’s Blessings: Hands and knees

What is the difference between a blessing given through the hands and a blessing given through the knees?

Parashat Vayigash:

The message of the wagons

How Yossef is showing and hinting to Yaakov how he dealt with the Egyptian world successfully.

A hintative tour of the parasha:

Miracles, dreams, and the strength of Israel

As in Miketz, after two years of war, we look back and glance at what is happening. It feels like a dream. And it goes on - like a prophecy.

For fourth day of Hanukkah:

Torah versus Greek wisdom

What was the real conflict?

Parashat Vayeshev:

From October 7th to Redemption: Seeking the next step

Yaakov thought there was no need for a future exile after all he had gone through. The Medrash explains.

Parashat Vayishlach:

Justifying the title

Does Am Yisrael deserve the Brachot? Do we live up to the title we hold? Are we fulfilling our mission as the chosen nation?

Parashat Vayetze:

Yaakov’s ladder, the mizbeach, and the borders of the tribes

There is a deep, ongoing tension within Am Yisrael regarding which tribe represents the proper approach to the Shechina, and which tribe should host the Mikdash.

Yeru and Shalem

There is much to learn from the name Yerushalayim, which is actually a combination of two different names of the holy city.

Parashat Tazria-Metzora

The metzora and the birth of a nation

There are striking parallels betwee the metzora's prodedures and those of the Nation of Israel...

Purim:

The power of masks

This has been a year of masks: We saw organizations claiming to fight for "human rights" reveal their true faces—showing that they don’t actually care about Jews. We saw women’s rights organizations put on masks and ignore Jewish victims of rape and torture.

Mishpatim:

Making Torah out of business

What can we learn from the fact that this issue of "Mishpatim" (laws) comes right after the revelation at Mount Sinai?

Headlines from Parashat Bo

The story of the Exodus is central to our historical purpose and destiny. Its "headlines" are psukim hinting to current events, leaving a bit to the imagination...

Begin, Joseph, and the Maccabees of Today

Events that occur at a Biblical level of open miracles can still happen.

Thoughts on the "Akeida" and our War

Rabbi Kirsch is serving in Lebanon and sent this thoughtful article and photo.

Ki Tavo:

Bringing Har Sinai to Eretz Yisrael

This is the Torah of Eretz Yisrael - and we have to say Amen.

Ki Tetse:

The parasha speaks to us today

There are messages for today's situation clearly spelled out in the parasha.

Total Victory

They need peace and quiet, but Moshe insists that they continue fighting until the land is fully conquered.

When a donkey speaks....it is telling us something

The opening of the donkey's mouth teaches us the basic lesson of the entire story.

Different groups, different motivation

When an organization is coming with a certain demand, is this a clear black and white issue? Or, are their true interests hidden from view?

The power of one word

Where did the spies go wrong?

Parashat Emor and Yom Hazikaron-Ha'atzmaut

I find that this week's Parsha contains a powerful message for us, after having just celebrated Yom Hazikaron and Yom Haátzmaut -and especially this year because of the war in Gaza.

The inside story of Megillat Esther

To present an example that is happening right before our eyes; Why is the entire world focused, and even obsessed with Israel?

The Great Whale, Sukkot and Simchat Torah

The whale of Messiah's time and the water libation are connected.

Yom Kippur and the fixing of Nadav and Avihu's sin

A comparison of the atonement of Yom Kippur and the sin of Aaron's sons.

Shlach (Israel): Why send the spies to see the land?

Didn't everyone know there would be trouble?

From the Zohar to the Geula

A look back at Lag Ba'Omer leads to contemplating the connection between Redemption and the kabbalistic Zohar.

Two stories, one people

We want the type of unity that respects others, areas that bind us. Israel belongs to all of us.  A shul belongs to all of us.Op-ed.

The Nazirite and a Kohen Gadol

Daf Yomi learners finish the Tractate Nazir just as we begin the Book of Vayikra on Shabbat with the work of the Kohen Gadol. A comparison.

More than enough!

Comparisons to the sin of the Golden Calf.

Vaeira: The process of convincing Pharaoh

Step by step, plague after plague, Pharaoh learns the way the world works.

Vayechi: Tying up the loose pieces

Some of the "final words" and "small print" at the end of the contract ending the book of Bereishit.

Understanding Yaakov through colors

Let's refer to Esau as red, and to Lavan as (how predictable...) white.

Lech Lecha: The emunah of our Forefather

Reading this week's parsha can show us the amazing development in Abraham's life regarding a crucial existential question.

Legal justice: Jerusalem and the court system in the parasha

The real inspiration and power for the court comes from the holy city of Jerusalem and the Temple. This helps the judges stick to the truth.

Balak: Legal but wrong

Balaam is the perfect example of someone who tries to get away with doing anything not specifically forbidden.

Three leadership styles and three different emphases

38 years passed between last week's Parsha and this one. Not only did the whole nation die, all three of its leaders pass away.:

How to make Shavuot bloom

The Torah lifestyle reaches out to every corner of the world that seems to be empty, shallow and "dry"- and gives it life, color and depth.

Behar (Israel): Yovel Year and Geula

Three occasions--Akedat Yitzchak,  the receiving of the Torah on Mount Sinai, and the year of the yovel,  have commonality.

Advice for the Wise Son

Focus on the wise son's question and possible answers that point to the experiential aspects of Torah observance.

Daf Yomi: The meaning behind Yibbum

To all of the Daf Yomi participants that begin this week with Seder Nashim and Masechet Yevamot, I present this introduction.

Choni Hameagel: When dreams become reality

If any of our grandparents from the previous generation would visit ours, would they be pleased with what they see?

VAYISHLACH 5782

Of angels and men

Yaakov makes his first step into the "boxing arena" He is injured because this is now reality.

Four characters=Four worlds

Each of the four starring characters in the Jacob story has his own attitude towards this world and the world to come.

Flooding lessons

In books of Chassidus (Tzidkat Hatzadik 107, Torah Ohr Parshat Noach) the Mabul is described as one great 'Mikve' (ritual bath).

It's not about me

Why don't we ask forgiveness for our personal sins on Rosh Hashana if it is the Day of Judgment?

Who is your tour guide?

Who is your tour guide? That makes all the difference.in how you deal with the Giant problem.

The Revelation at Sinai - the War with Gaza

As one man with one heart, that is how we received the Torah and how we face our enemies.

Shmita - Rest for the Man or for the Land?

Is it the land lying fallow that is the central theme, or are the Jews who do not work it during the shmita year the focus?

'Here is the way you shall enter'

In this week's Torah reading, why begin the description of the Avoda on Yom Kippur with telling us of the demise of the sons of Aaron?

See you in Court

Parshat Mishpatim, the Torah portion called "laws" also calls judges "elohim" - God, masters or lords. What does this signify?

Choosing the Geula model

Which of the two models for Redemption is in the story of the Exodus? And which will be our story?

Zot Hanukkah: What was the real conflict with the Greeks?

Before the holiday ends, a short Video Dvar Torah given at the Sderot Hesder Yeshiva makes the real conflict with the Greeks clear.