Parshat Shavua

The Parsha and Current Events:

Suicidal galut and the new Sheriff

One cannot deny Mamdani’s contribution to the efforts of encouraging Jews to return home.

Lessons from Yaakov and Lavan:

How you know it's time to go home

When hatred becomes normal, when lies replace truth, and when the “faces” around us change, the Torah teaches us to recognize it. That is what Yaakov saw before he returned to Eretz Yisrael.

Thanksgiving During Challenging Times:

How Rachel taught her child-and the World-the secret to happiness

These are challenging times for our people, and for all good people.

Parashat Vayetze:

'Beware lest you speak with Yaakov good or bad'

In the end, they parted, by making a covenant - at Laban’s behest - between them, but what did Laban really want?

Parashat Vayetze:

Why did Yaakov run away to Charan?

In departing from his parents, Yaakov was in fact obeying their wishes and thus fulfilling the commandment to honor one’s parents. Why then should the Sages say that the length of his absence is a cause for punishment?

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch:

Vayetze: Why did Yaakov kiss Rachel?

Life without familiar faces is difficult - even for great people.

Office of the UK Chief Rabbi:

Esau - our broken clock

Eisav certainly ranks as one of the worst personalities presented to us in the entire Bible. And yet, here we see that he did excel in something.

Israel's 1st Chief Rabbi:

Toldot: Jacob's hand on Esau's heel

Isaac appreciated Esau’s ability to hunt and dominate the beasts, the trait needed to dominate bestial peoples. Could Yaakov do the same?

Parashat Toldot:

The voice of Yaacov

In our time, “the voice of Yaacov,” spoken with supplication, with gentle spirit, and with a sincere desire to bring satisfaction and goodness to others, must serve as a guiding light.

Parashat Toldot:

"Rivkah went to inquire of Hashem"

The wondrous outcome of Rivkah's pregnancy, is that all that the nations create in this world, in the end result, is for the benefit of Bnei Israel, in their service of Hashem.

Parashat Toldot:

Water

Water has been a defining component of Israel’s history, from Noah’s flood through the lives of our Patriarchs to our own time. It is part of the symbiotic connexion between the Jewish nation and the Land of Israel. As the Land has welcomed its nation back home, so the nation has rejuvenated the Land.

Parashat Toldot:

Inviting G-d to dinner

Everyone invited to dinner gets to eat. G-d’s portion is the Torah that we study and the food we give to the poor.

Parashat Toldot:

When lying is (absolutely) necessary

We all confront many situations in which it is tempting to put a spin on things and manipulate the facts so that they are more in line with our interests or prevent catastrophe. Are we allowed to do so?

Israel's 1st Chief Rabbi:

Chayei Sarah: The Torah of the Patriarchs

It is the “Patriarchs’ acts of kindness” and their vibrant, natural Torah that will redeem their descendants in the final generation

Office of the UK Chief Rabbi

Parashat Vayera: The most irrelevant instruction?

Now, what are the chances that you, or I, or anybody, might actually come across the pillar of salt which used to be Lot’s wife to say the mandated blessings? The meaning of this commandment is much deeper.

Parashat Vayera:

How can I encounter Hashem?

The study of Torah, when undertaken with humbleness and dedication, can lead one to a special encounter with HaKadosh Baruch Hu.

Parashat Vayera:

Judicial Reform

“I will restore your judges as at first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city. Zion shall be redeemed through justice, and her returnees through righteousness.”

Parashat Vayera:

Why did Sarah laugh?

Commentators weigh in on the unexpected laughter of Matriarch Sarah at the news that she would bear a son.

Kitah parasha discussion video:

Vayera: Sacrificing one's son?

Kitah weekly videos suggest topics for discussion at your Shabbat table.

The Lot Syndrome:

How misplaced chesed harms Israel today

Lot’s story is a warning for every generation: chesed without understanding deceives the heart and misleads the hand. We see it clearly today.

Israel's 1st Chief Rabbi:

Lech Lecha: Father of many nations

Abraham and his revolutionary faith kindled a nascent spark of faith among the nations.

Israel's 1st Chief Rabbi: Noach

The beauty of Greece

The Talmud states in Megillah 9b: “May the beauty of Yefeth reside in the tents of Shem.” How can that be?

Parashat Noach:

Hamas in the Torah and in the Hamas Charter

In the Torah, an ish ḥamasim-a man of violence-is a ruthless, merciless person who sees brutality as a legitimate means to achieve his aims. Such is today's Hamas as shown both in its charter and its barbarity, and we must therefore open our eyes to reality.

The simple people's hero:

Thank goodness, Noach was no saint

Why do the Sages feel compelled to denigrate Noach?

Torah Mitzion: Parashat Noach

The righteous man who kept the world alive

Who is greater? Noah or Avraham. Let us compare the two following the example of Chazal..

Parashat Noach:

When we ask, G-d listens

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak provided a daring translation of Rashi’s comment on why Noah didn't enter the ark until forced to by the rain - and it is a lesson for all of us.

Parashat Noach:

Rebuilding innocence

Noah, Daniel and Job saw three worlds. So have we.

The Tower of Babel:

We need more than superficial unity

Mere mutual interest and collective survival are not sufficient to unite all humanity and safeguard the world

Parashat Noach:

Noach, man of the earth, planted a vineyard and debased himself

Why does Rashi comment: ’’Noach debased himself’ - he should have first engaged in planting something other than a vineyard."

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch:

Noach: Our parents’ flaws

Shem and Yefet covered their father’s shame; so should we.

Parashat Noach:

Does the world need G-d?

Granted that the world could not have come into being without Him, once created, can it persist on its own, independent of His sustaining Providence?

Israel's 1st Chief Rabbi:

Breishit: The Torah of Eretz Yisrael

According to Rav Kook, the Torah of Eretz Yisrael is fundamentally different in its method and scope.

Thoughts on Parashat Bereishit:

Finding your 'ezer kenegdo'

Even a match decreed in Heaven must be built on earth. Every marriage requires avodah - work, patience, understanding, forgiveness, and joy in each other’s growth.

The only solution to exile is national unity

As we begin the Torah with Bereishit, we are reminded by the Netziv that our forefathers' uprightness contrasts with the baseless hatred that led to the destruction of the Second Temple, urging us to embrace unity and respect.

It's not good for a couple to agree (always)

The Majesty of Debate.

Parashat Bereishit:

The Land of Creation

not only does Parashat BeReishit contain a reference to Eretz Yisrael, we will see below that it completely depends upon it.

Parashat Bereishit:

Should conscience be your guide?

If Man was created without the capacity for shame, why would it suddenly emerge as a result of prohibited eating?

Parashat Ha'azinu:

A song From Moshe’s heart

The Song of Ha'azinu is a testament of Jewish Destiny.

Parashat Ha’azinu:

Jewish history and how to survive it

Jewish history isn’t random happenstance; Israel’s reconstituted national sovereign independence in the Land of Israel within living memory is woven into the very fabric of G-d’s Creation; our continued sovereignty in Israel depends not on the prowess of our military, on economics, on politics, but on our connection with G-d, His Torah, and His Mitzvot.

Parashat Valyeilech:

Preview of Jewish history

The number of a verse, its numerology - all point to the past but also to today in this week's parasha.

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch:

Vayelech: Don’t “help” G-d

A leader’s job is to preserve authentic Judaism come what may.

Parashat Vayeilech: Hakhel

Why schlep along the kids?

The mitzvah of Hakhel: A national gathering with larger dimensions.

Patashat Nitzavim:

Is Torah wisdom accessible?

What did Moshe seek to convey by telling us that the Torah is “not in heaven” or “on the other side of the sea”?

Israel's 1st Chief Rabbi: Ki Tavo

Don't study alone!

To withdraw into solitude, imagining that this leads to closeness with God, is foreign to the Torah’s vision.

The Attitude of Gratitude!

Chid”a explains, however, that a gift that is accepted by Hashem Himself is, in reality, a source of pride and joy for the giver; thus Hashem’s accepting of the offering serves as the greatest pleasure for the benefactor, and therefore they are considered a “taker” in this scenario.

Parashat Ki Tavo:

Many organs, one organism

We comprise many groups and individuals, yet we are one people; much like a body has many organs but is a single organism.

Parashat Ki Tavo:

Blessing and curses

‘Do not think that these oaths are imposed on you alone- as if, but for this, you would not serve Hashem.'

The Parsha and Current Events:

The US Department of War

It is to my religious brothers and sisters who are still stuck in the galut that I dedicate the following article.

Our inheritance from Hashem

The commandment of bringing the bikkurim is a tangible and concrete expression that we are not ingrates.

Office of the UK Chief Rabbi

Coincidence?

D’var Torah for Parshat Ki Teitzei

Parashat Ki Teitze:

13 commandments about warfare

Keeping the mitzvot protects the Jew from external enemies, from natural disasters, and from becoming the agent through which G-d brings punishment into the world.

Lessons from what will never be

Ramban explains that the Ben Sorer Umoreh’s actions violate the fundamental backbone and spirit of the entirety of the Torah - 'Kedoshim ti’yhu - You shall be a holy people.'

Parashat Ki Teitze:

When you are on your own

The moment we are on our own, we become vulnerable to Amalek.

Parashat Ki Teitze:

Dishonest weights are an abomination in G-d's eyes

The wisest of men King Solomon - exclaimed (Mishlei 11:1): "Deceitful weights are an abomination of the Lord, but a perfect weight is His Will."

Parashat Ki Teitze:

Laws of attack in war

I heard from my father and teacher the late Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu zt”l, that the Torah hints at the proper way to conduct war.

The Parsha and Current Events:

Ki Teitze: Spiritual lighthouses

"He who walks with the wise will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm”.

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch:

Ki Teitze: Rise higher

The mitzvah of shaatnez teaches us to live for nobler purposes.

Parashat Ki Teitze:

Keeping ingrates far away

What is the reason for the harsh limitation on Ammonites and Moabites?

A Tale of Two Torahs: The timeless and the timely

If Judaism is immutable, how can it be relevant?

Parashat Shoftim:

Law enforcement in the Torah

The Torah does not deal with us in absolute specific terms but rather establishes general parameters of righteous judicial systems and equitable standards of law enforcement.