Parshat Shavua

Acharei Mot: What does "living" by the commandments really mean?

People display their religiosity in diverse ways, but perhaps the words "live by them" reveal how God wants us to build an observant life.

Rabbi Hirsch on the parsha: Put on your weekday clothes with care

Torah truth must permeate a person’s mundane life.

Acharei Mot: True rebuke is hard to come by

There are two ways to understand this mitzva and both are not easy to perform.

The one to whom the house belongs

A collection of commentaries on tsaraat of a house. The Alsheich Hakadosh says: This affliction should be considered by us, as a gift from Hashem. Why?

Finding comfort from Miriam's loss, through Shabbat's holiness

It appears that the ability of the Jews to take the pagan representation of the Egyptian society in full view, and prepare it for sacrifice 4 days later, may have been a greater miracle than anything that had occurred up until that moment.

Talking Parsha - Metzorah & Pesach: What are Nega’im??

What is the significance of the emphasis on curing the tzara'at instead of the person? And how does it connect to the plague of the firstborn, and the seder night itself?

Tazria

Echoes of prophecy still inspire the Jewish nation

For while we have fought for and earned the Land of Israel, and the practice of Jewish life has returned to Zion, we cannot say that our Jewish brothers and sisters in Israel are truly free.

Parshat Tazria: The happiest month?

From the month of Nisan, we are taught that it is not just during times of sorrow that we should empathise with others, it is also when they are happy.

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch on the parsha: Tzaraas isn’t leprosy

The laws of tzaraas are incomprehensible if we adopt the general translation.

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?

Tazria: A directive toward a life of holiness

God demands we live a life of good deeds towards others and this upholds the world. Therefore, many commandments in the Torah are commandments of interpersonal nature.

Eretz Yisrael in the parasha: Three camps of holiness

Young Religious Zionist Torah scholars connect the Torah Reading with the Land of Israel.

Rav Kook Torah

Shmini: Mourning for Nadav and Avihu

Israel' first Chief Rabbi and iconic leader of Religious Zionism: To understand Moses’ unusual instructions for mourning his nephews, we must examine the Talmudic account of the passing of Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi.

The depth of discipline

Aharon's sin with the Golden Calf was not in its creation but in forcing G-d to judge the Jews as willful sinners.

Talking Parsha - Shemini: Why can’t they mourn??

Why are Aharon and his sons not allowed to mourn the deaths of Nadav and Avihu? Why is it different than the customary practices of kohanim who must mourn their seven close relatives? And how is this relevant to what our nation has faced for the past six months?

Shmini: What are the two middle words of the Torah?

In pre-computer times, the scribes knew how many words and how many letters there were in the entire Torah.

Parshat Shmini and Parshat Hachodesh - stages of Redemption

An analysis of the non kosher animals mentioned in the parasha is connected to the four questions - and Redemption. This will be the final exile, after which we will never again be defeated or exiled from our Land.

Shmini: The eighth day

We are all eighth day Jews. What does that mean?

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch on the parsha: ‘Progress’ in Judaism

The Prophetic Books are not more “ethical” than the Pentateuch.

Tzav:

The sacrifice we CAN offer nowadays

Yaakov did not cease his studies of the 613 Mitzvot, and when one learns about a Mitzvah, credit is given for actually fulfilling that commandment!

Talking Parsha - Parashat Tzav: What’s Torah??

While the Torah does introduce new aspects, the repetition prompts us to question the Torah's approach - why does it not consolidate these discussions into a single section?

Tsav: The challenge of a depleted pocket

The word "tsav" is found only concerning the Korban Tamid. Why?

Tzav: Here is a riddle for you:

What it says on the tin should be what you find within it.

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch on the parsha: Tethered to the past

Our mission and our ancestors’ mission are one and the same.

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.’

Eretz Yisrael in the parsha: Peace offerings

Young religious Zionist Torah scholars connect the parasha and the Holy Land.

Talking Parsha - Vayikra & Zachor: Why 'call' Moshe??

How does the small 'aleph' in the first work of Vayikra - a minor nuance - contribute to the deeper meaning? And why is the book named after its first word? Join us as we uncover the connection between Vayikra, Shabbat Zachor, and Purim.

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch on the parsha: Do you care?

Animosity is often better than indifference.

Talking Parsha:

Pekudei: Why "Set up" the Mishkan??

As we conclude the book of Shemot and the construction of the Mishkan, Hashem instructs Moshe to set it up. A notable emphasis is placed on the verb "setting up" (קום) in the Torah.

Shmot: The book of human judgment

The book of Shemot ends on a triumphant note.

Sanctifying time

In human behavior and thought, time is as important as wealth or location or the accomplishment of any human deeds.

Talking Parsha:

Parashat Vayakhel: Why was Bezalel chosen??

Why does Moshe introduce Bezalel by saying, 'Look?' Where was Bezalel summoned, and what meaning does his summoning have for us today?

Ki Tisa: Moses' sapphire quarry

Israel's first Chief Rabbi: Moses, it turns out, was fabulously wealthy. Why is that significant?

Talking Parsha - Ki Tisa:

Moshe's mask - what's the story??

In the final passages of the Parsha, Moshe descends from Mount Sinai carrying the new Luchot. However, his return is marked by a striking physical transformation.

Rav Samson R. Hirsch on the parsha: Want to be free?

The Torah enables us to rise above the natural order.

Talking Parsha - Tetzaveh: Stones of Remembrance??

The stones on the shoulders of the apron, and the stones on the breastplate, both serve as reminders. What significance does this hold? And why the emphasis on remembrance?

Lessons in the Parsha related to Eretz Yisrael

Young Religious Zionist Torah scholars teach the connections between this week's Torah Reading and the Holy Land.

Rabbi Samson R. Hirsch on the parsha: Hold its feet

The Jewish lamb is happy, joyful, and virile – not meek.

Parshat Tetzaveh: The unity of the gemstones

iI is the combining of the physical and the spiritual facets that are necessary for true redemption and we see it in the IDF soldiers today.

Why are the details so important?

The Mishkan’s construction is described at length, down to the finest detail. What, in fact, is the importance of these small details?

Terumah: The Iron Wall

Israel's first Chief Rabbi: Walls of iron are different from walls of stone, and each suits a different period of Jewish history.

Talking Parsha

Truma: What's this vessel about??

This week, we embark on constructing the Mishkan as Hashem instructs Moshe on crafting its various vessels. Amidst the holiest sanctuaries, besides the Ark and Kruvim, we encounter a lesser-known vessel: the Kaporet.

Eretz Yisrael in the parsha

Young religious Zionist Torah scholars find connections to the Land of Israel in the Torah reading.

Weekly Torah Study: Terumah

Where is the Ark of the Covenant?

Consider the implications of your words

The State of Israel will never come to the point of Shimshon, because when push comes to shove, we will use all the weapons at our disposal to kill our enemies.

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.

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch on the parsha: 6 and 1

The menorah teaches us how to live our lives.

Eretz Yisrael in the parsha; Learn the Kuzari Series

Young religious Zionist Torah scholars teach the connection between the weekly Torah reading and the Land of Israel. New series: Rabbi Yehuda Halevy's Book of the Kuzari.

Talking Parsha

Mishpatim: Who's the angel of Yisrael?

After the Torah is given, G-d mentions sending an angel to lead the Jewish People. But after the Golden Calf, the same offer is made, and the Jewish People respond with an outcry. Why does the mention of an angel evoke varied responses? What is this 'malach' about?

The blueprint for a just society

The goal is not to sit at Har Sinai, eat Mannah and bask in the light of Hashem but rather to create a real, down to earth just society.

Mishpatim: Time for Torah

When I study the Torah and come to “know” G-d’s thinking as well as Adam knew Eve, G-d is present in my mind.

Rabbi Hirsch on the parsha: Did rabbis make it up?

An unusual law in Parshas Mishpatim makes the case for the divine authorship of the Torah.

Anti-Truth: Hamas’ latest weapon - in the parsha

Our enemies anti-truth forces us into defensive mode, explaining how we couldn't have perpetrated the atrocities of which they accuse us and distracts us from calling them to account for their own behavior. It doesn't have to be that way. Op-ed.

Rabbi Hirsch: Cardiac Jews, Orthopraxic Jews

Neither the heart nor the deed is sufficient. G-d wants both.

Eretz Yisrael in the Parsha: Song of the Sea

Why did the Israelites connect the Red Sea with the Temple?

Reliving Parshat Bo in Gaza

Only in Israel, where we have a holisitc identity as a people, do mitzvot take on their full meaning, as we build a society committed to the ideals of Judaism. In Gaza: Pidyon haben by means of tefillin.

Eretz Yisrael in the Parsha: As if given you today

Religious Zionist Torah scholars find connections to Eretz Yisrael in the Torah reading for Shabbat.

Talking Parsha - Bo:

Darkness - what's so scary??

As the plagues intensify in Egypt, the plague of darkness stands out as a unique phenomenon. Unlike the fiery hail or the me

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch on the parsha: Speak up!

Tell your children what you believe and why.

Talking Parsha - Va'era:

Why did the magicians imitate Moshe?!

If the intention of Pharaoh's magicians is to demonstrate parity with Moshe, why don't they counteract his miracles instead of duplicating them?