Israel's 1st Chief Rabbi:
Parashat Shlach: The sin of Tzelofchad
We should learn from Tzelofchad’s mistake, and stay focused on that which is enduring and eternal, and not confuse the way-station for the final destination.
We should learn from Tzelofchad’s mistake, and stay focused on that which is enduring and eternal, and not confuse the way-station for the final destination.
The daily lifting of the ash, which was performed by the Kohen as part of the Temple service, did not serve the practical purpose of keeping the Altar clean. What then was the objective of this Mitzvah?
The letter alef (א) at the end of the word ויקרא is written smaller than the rest of the word. Many explanations have been given for this unusual phenomenon, but the Zohar's is an entire way of looking at the commandments.
When you give ten thousand dollars to charity, do you think about how much gratitude you deserve or how grateful you are to help?
What kind of blessing is it when Yaakov prays that his grandchildren increase like fish in the land?
Young religious Zionist scholars find connections between each week's Torah reading and the Holy Land.
As part of the Jewish people we must shoulder the weight of our collective destiny and responsibility for the welfare of our people.
If these are commandments, where is the command?
What prompts Moshe to raise his hands, and what significance does this gesture hold?
The Torah puts the verse regarding the commandment of Not Eating Blood next to the commandment of Orlah (Lev.19:23). Why?
Selected leading rabbis share their thoughts on this week's Torah Reading.
There is a contrast between the type of charitable giving in Parashat Terumah and Parashat Ki Tisa.
The real summation of Jacob’s last years emerges in a conversation he has, not with Joseph, but with Pharaoh.
Israel's first Chief Rabbi: Beware of beauty that covers up morally repulsive behavior.
The parasha in halakha, mussar, and with words of chizuk .
Weekly Torah Study: Pinchas.
You will see them with their knitted kipot, M16s over their shoulders, returning from a shiur by the rosh yeshiva, an IDF officer. And you?
Today in Israel religious soldiers prove to be dedicated fighters. Like the fighters in the parasha, they know what they are fighting for. .
Everything that is uttered from our mouths obligates us to the commitment attached to it.
A selection of rabbinic commentaries on the question.
Jewish tradition does not often create aphorisms in vain. Here is the story of the first shlemiel.
The essence of the kohanic personality is to be responsible for the nation, overriding his personal interests.
The greatest framework of spiritual life without which that life begins to wither and die is consistent, constant faithfulness to mitzvot.
Young Israeli Torah scholars: The connection between the land alloted each tribe and the tribe is substantive and above human comprehension.
Israel's first Chief Rabbi: Why is idolatry so intrinsically vile? Because instead of elevating us, it lowers us to coarse physical levels.
Diminutive in size, giant in spirit, Medinat Yisrael has made the world stand still more than once since its re-establishment 74 years ago.
The Chief Rabbi’s weekly insight for Parshat Vayechi.
What could have been a swift though painful meeting becomes a drawn out process. What was Joseph’s purpose behind these actions?
Yosef seemed to have allowed his emotions to overpower his judgement. Was this a failure of character?
The story of Jacob wrestling with an unnamed adversary and his new name Israel is essential to understanding what it means to be a Jew.
What are the three greatest challenges facing the Jewish people?
Literally meaning a “heel”, the Hebrew word “eikev” evolved to denote a mark left by the heel, a foot-print - and more. All in Jacob's name.
In his very essence Yaacov was diametrically opposed to his illustrious father and grandfather.
Rabbi Sacks z’’l prepared a full year of Covenant & Conversation for 5781, based on his book Lessons in Leadership.
Could others, even those seemingly much less worthy than Abraham, be part of the Divine plan of tikkun?
In this 3-min. video, Baruch Gordon answers the question, "If Moshe didn't merit to enter the Land of Israel, why should we?"
Perhaps Elul should signal a new direction for us to take, especially for this coming year.