Parshat Shavua

Tazria Metzora: The pivotal moment

The two ways of reading a word in the parsha - "vehuva" or as our Sages said "vehu va" have a world of meaning.

The blessing of the Land of Israel is... leprosy?

Why does the Torah introduce tzara'at habayit with words that sound like a blessing? What does it teach us for Israel's Independence Day?

Shemini: The role of the kohen

Torah from Israel's first Chief Rabbi, iconic leader of Religious Zionism: "We honor the kohen for his potential."

Talking Torah: 'What great vision did they see at the sea?'

The Jews saw a greater vision than a prophet after crossing the sea. Why is the vision not described? What did they actually see at the sea?

Leadership: The courage of identity crises

Leaders must have the strength to know what they cannot be if they are to have the courage to be truly their best selves.

The Parsha and Current Events: The election results don't matter

We have no king, Sanhedrin, Kohen Gadol or prophet. Hashem established Israel for the spiritual potential the Jews have in Eretz Yisrael.

Shelamim - a peace offering for the world

Young religious Zionist Torah scholars explain the connection between the Shelamim offering, internal peace and world harmony.

The small aleph

The aleph may be unusually small in the first word of the book of Leviticus, but its size symbolizes a secret power that depends on us.

Weekly Torah Study: Vayikra

In modern times, can we relate to the idea of bringing offerings to the Temple?

Bring down the temperature

The Torah's distinction between turtledove and pigeon teaches us a lesson about loyalty, jealousy and zealotry.

Office of the Chief Rabbi

Parshat HaChodesh: Rosh Hashanah at the start of the 7th month?

The Chief Rabbi’s D’var Torah for Parshat HaChodesh.

“Return us to You, G-d, and we will return" to the Synagogues

After a year of living under the shadow of COVID, G-d is calling us to return to our shuls with joy and thanksgiving.

Office of the Chief Rabbi

Ki Tissa and Zoom: There's nothing like the real thing

When one misses something, one comes to appreciate it all the more.

An educational sin

Surprisingly the Gemara praises one of the greatest sins perpetrated by the People of Israel, the sin of the golden calf.

Shabbat Parah and Ki Tissa: While Purim is still echoing...

This Shabbat is the confluence of three components of our calendar: the aftermath of Purim, Parashat Ki Tissa, and Shabbat Parah.

Ki Tissa: How leaders fail

There is an apocryphal quote attributed to several politicians: “Of course I follow the party. After all, I am their leader.”

Frustrating diabolical enemy plans

Why is the US administration in concert with major Christian countries of Western Europe to continue the ways of the bad old Obama days?

Defining death

How does Judaism define the moment of death?

The gaze of the Cherubim

Did the cherubim gaze at one another or at the Ark? A profound idea can be learned from the answer to that question

What vision did the 70 elders of Israel see?

The vision of G-d experienced by Moshe, Aharon, Nadav and Avihu, and 70 elders of Israel described in this week's parasha is unparalleled.

Only voluntary acceptance of discipline can work

There are never enough police to enforce laws, It takes responsibility..That is behind Israel's corona crisis and why the Torah is eternal.

The start of an eternal dialogue

Parshat Mishpatim Exodus 21:1–24:18: G-d talks and G-d speaks-is there a difference? The Jews agree to do and to listen-what comes first?

The "pit" in our generation - Parashat Mishpatim

Mishpatim lists 4 types of damages to another person. A new variety unique to our time, the internet, is today's "pit" in the public arena.

See you in Court

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

A deeper understanding of Parashat Mishpatim

There is a pattern to the way the many commandments in this parasha are brought. The very order is telling us something.

Vision and details - Mishpatim 5781

Torah means “law.” But it also means “teaching, instruction, guidance,” or more generally, “direction”.

Weekly Torah study: Yitro

"You shall be to Me a treasure out of all peoples, for Mine is the entire earth." How can G-d choose one people above all others?

​​​​​​​"All beginnings are difficult" except for what isn’t

The Sages teach that “all beginnings are difficult”. But in spirituality the goal is the spiritual progress made on the way to a goal.

Open your eyes!

The parsha and current events. Jethro, Isaiah and the Jews of the Diaspora who criticize Israel's religious level.

Preparing for the light at the end of the tunnel

How do we have hope in such a challenging time?

The Israeli Big Brother syndrome

The time has come for Israel to stop listening to Big Brother and realize that it has grown up.

Office of the Chief Rabbi

Beshalach: Why should our children and grandchildren do mitzvot?

The Chief Rabbi’s D’var Torah for Parshat Beshalach

There are no shortcuts to faith

G-d performed miracles for Bnai Yisrael during the Exodus but he did not purify them miraculously. That had to be a personal effort.

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers

It is impossible, at this stage of history, to determine how long the gates of redemption remain open. But open they still undoubtedly are.

Bo: The Passover leap

Israel's first Chief Rabbi, iconic leader of Religious Zionism: The paschal lamb was a spiritual leap, but not everyone could partake of it.

Office of the Chief Rabbi

A lesson about nitpicking

The Chief Rabbi’s weekly insight for Parshat Bo: Moses knew that some people always find what is wrong instead of appreciating the good.

The far horizon

Moes did not speak about liberty at the Exodus, he spoke about the distant future and the duty of parents to educate their children.

God's role in the pandemic

This week's online initiative for children: The Hebrew word for pandemic is in yesterday's Torah reading.

Weekly Torah Study:

Freedom of choice - how does it work?

Choice is a gift from G-d that makes us who we are..

Office of the Chief Rabbi

Va’eira: The impact of Covid-19 on our senior citizens

The Chief Rabbis’ insight for Parshat Va’eira in light of Psalm 71: "Do not cast us aside when we are old and our strength has failed.".

Jewish life is not for the faint hearted

Moshe is the most humble and modest of all human-beings, but he is not allowed to be humble and self-effacing when meeting Pharaoh.

Questioning – The essence of Jewish Faith

Anyone who wants to get closer to G-d must first find the courage to question, even before any answer is available.

Office of the Chief Rabbi

Shemot: What does our name mean to others?

The Chief Rabbi’s weekly insight for Parshat Shemot.

Parshat Shmot

What Israel Does To Your Mind

G-d made a specific promise to Moshe about the Land of Israel. What does it mean for us today?

Our father Jacob did not die

Israel's first Chief Rabbi and iconic leader of religious Zionism: Sometimes a goal is achieved via means that conflict with the objective.

Jacob's fishy blessing

A thought for Parshat Vayechi 5781 to share with youngsters.

Our Covid-19 journey – how should we respond to its uncertainty?

The Chief Rabbi’s weekly insight for Parshat Vayechi.

Our father Jacob did not die

Rav Kook explains: “Our temporary existence is only one spark of the glory of everlasting life."

A switch rooted in nature

There are many commandments in Judaism that are easy for us to fulfill, but there are also ones hard for us to understand and perform.

Diaspora Judaism

The greatest miracle of history is the survival of diaspora Judaism. The greatest question is where it is headed today.

The unexpected leader

Predictions are impossible in the affairs of living, breathing human beings and in this parasha, we see Judah rise to leadership - and why.

Where Should Jews Call Home?

Where Should Jews Call Home? (Parshat Vayigash)

When they went down to Egypt, the Jews didn't want to be there at all. But with time, they didn't want to go back to Israel. Where is home?

Seeing the light on the path

There is light ahead. We have just celebrated the only Jiewish holiday whose mitzva is done at night. And it is all about light.

Office of the Chief Rabbi

By sharing, we receive more than we give

How Pharaoh knoew that Joseph was someone who’s word he could rely on.

Mikeitz: Joseph and the Evil Eye

Torah from Israel's first Chief Rabbi, iconic leader of Religious Zionism: 'The Evil Eye is an example of how one soul may affect another..'

Miketz: Three approaches to dreams

Joseph had three gifts that many have in isolation but few in combination.

Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel

Meanngful parsha learning for youngsters around the globe. The meaning of Miketz - then and now.

Temple Institute Weekly Torah Study: G-d as the Master Director

The story of Joseph unfolding in this period's Torah readings is on two levels: Man's actions fulfill G-d's master plan behind the scenes.

Jelly or Chocolate: What are we filled with?

There is a very interesting connection between the holiday of Hanukkah and the Torah portion of the week. Joseph's pit is a parable.

Vayeshev: The power of praise-Hanukkah: Ceremony and Celebration

There is a delicate balance between the neglect that leads to lack of confidence and excessive praise or favouritism..