Who will become impoverished, who will become wealthy
Four men, the Zohar tells us (Volume 1, Bereishit 27a), entered the Orchard, the פַּרְדֵּס (Pardess)....
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Daniel Pinner
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Who by fire, who by water…
"And repentance and prayer and charity reverse the evil of the decree”.
Parashat Shoftim: On Jewish Justice
Learn how the Torah guarantees that justice is administered - and a comparison to Israel's court system.
Re’eh: Return to Eden
The 7 Haftarot of Consolation from Isaiah are his magnificent prophecies of the halcyon days to come, in our return en masse to the Land.
The Ninth of Av:: A magnificent tragedy
It took the entire might of the Roman Empire seven years to defeat the Jews. An inspiring episode, indeed!
Devarim: From Moshe to Joshua to Ruth to Rashi and beyond
We invariably begin to read the final Book of the Torah, Deuteronomy, on the Shabbat which immediately precedes the fast of the ninth of Av.
Mattot-Mas’ei: 42 stations
Why does the Torah list all 42 of these stations? What does this list add to our knowledge or understanding?
Balak: Welcome back, Diaspora shul-goers
The double parashah which communities in exile will read this week, Chukkat-Balak, can happen only in exile, never in Israel.
Conversation in the desert
The twelve men chosen to reconnoitre the Promised Land in a heart to heart (imagined) conversation.
Another ceasefire…and another…and another…
We can but live the best we can and look forward to the next round unless we decide to take back Gaza. Op-ed.
Parashat Emor: Between independence and liberating Jerusalem
The Haftarah for Emor gives us hope for the future, the future which has already begun in the last two generations.
Yom Ha'atzmaut: Where in the Redemption are we?
We no longer stand on the edge of Redemption: we have already taken our first hesitant, faltering, uncertain steps into Redemption..
Thoughts during the sounding of the siren
Yom Hazikaron, Memorial Day for IDF Fallen and Victims of Terror 5783 (2023) begins with a siren on Monday 8pm and then at 11am Tuesday.
Memorializing the Holocaust: The world versus Israel
Israel and Jewish communities commemorate the Holocaust as a time when Jews were murdered, but also as a time when Jews fought back.
Parashat Tzav and Shabbat HaGadol: chametz and matza
The Todah (the last sacrifice we read before Pesach) and the Korban Pesach both convey the same idea: The Jew must thank G-d, but not alone.
Vayikra and Nissan: A new era in our relationship with G-d
The Mishkan, the start of the month of Nissan and the beginning of the Book of Leviticus, mark a new phase in Jewish history.
Shabbat Hachodesh: Nation of Royalty
It is significant that our first national mitzvah was to take control of our time starting with the new year of kings.
Ki Tisa and Shabbat Parah: Taking off the mask
Our Sages enacted that on the Shabbat (occasionally the final Shabbat) before Nissan, every Shul would read this decree of the Red Cow:
Shushan Purim: The sweetest victory
Can you hear us celebrating, Haman? Hark from whatever dismal depths you are in now, and hear our sweet children singing in our own country.
Parashat Truma and the month of Adar - a contra to Av
it is appropriate that the Torah-readings for Adar, when we increase in joy, prepare us for building the Mishkan. Numerology attests to it.
Mishpatim, the legislative parasha
Is this a random selection of mitzvot, or is there a connecting theme?
“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers…”
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers, will yet defeat our enemies in the Land of Israel.
The Tenth of Tevet: Why do we fast?
The final sentence could have been delayed, or even averted altogether, if only the nation had repented.
Vayigash:The only mistaken thing Jacob ever said
What was the reason for Jacob's fear about going to Egypt?
The essence of Light: Miketz, Hanukkah, and Rosh Chodesh Tevet:
This year 5783, as occurs about one-third of the time, Shabbat Parashat Miketz falls on Rosh Chodesh Tevet which is on Hanukkah..And...
Why didn't we light 8 candles the first night of Hanukkah?
Should we see the world as it is, or as it should be? We pray for the day the potential is going to be the same as the actual. Speedily!
A robe too far
Why was it this luxurious robe, rather than anything else, that so aroused Joseph's brothers’ ire?
Vayishlach: Ask an American Rabbi
Jacob could have saved himself a lot of trouble had he stayed put in Laban's house.
How to get angelic protection
When a Jew leaves Israel: there is an interim when he has no Divine protection. When he comes, he is escorted by the angels of the land.
Chayei Sarah: Towards the downfall of the savage
Yishmael - A man suited to the desert, unable to coexist with his fellow-men, accept human laws or to live with civilized human society..
Vayeira: Unexpected source of Redemption
The incestuous union of Lot and his daughter, began the dynasty that would culminate in the Mashiach.
Lech Lecha: The conversation that never was
Had the words of G-d been said to Abraham today, what would the outcome be?
Noah – The flawed tzaddik
Rabbi Yochanan perceived that something was wrong and it is not just that Noah did not try to save his generation, as is usually said..
Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah, the last Festival in Tishrei
Ending the month of beginnings.
Yom Kippur: Genesis of Repentance
As G-d’s world was launched, He already provided the capacity for atonement on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, repentance, forgiveness.
Parashat Vayeilech: Going into the future
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
Moses' words in Nitzavim: Prelude to Rosh Hashanah
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..."?
Ki Tavo: The ultimate punishment
Comparing the first set of admonitions (tochacha) with those in this week's parasha.
Ki Teitze: Coincidence?
There are mitzvas which, by their nature, no one can plan to do. Perhaps God sends these opportunities to those who look for mitzvot to do.
Time to build the Holy Temple
The Prophet Haggai’s words about the Beit Hamikdash speak to us even as they did to the Jews in Israel of his generation:
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