Parshat Shavua

Watch: "You can't ignore this!"

Watch: This week Yitzi and Tuvia talk about the precept of Hashavat Aveida - returning lost objects

It all begins and ends with trust

The sages teach us that a rebellious son is condemned because of how he will turn out. But how is it possible to know he will be evil?

Parents should never be jealous of their children.

Only one fruit's blessing goes up a step on the ladder when it is made into juice. What does that have to do with marriage?

Ki Tetsei: The secret to defeating the enemy

There are so many soldiers in Tzahal for whom fear of the enemy does not exist because in their hearts is the fear of Hashem.

Heredity vs. environment

Why do we see that in the case of Ishmael, Abraham did not act as the Torah prescribes for a rebellious son?

What we remember, what we forget

This week we read the commandment to remember Amalek. We remember Amalek because that is the memory that safeguards us.

Cause and effect in family situations

Part of the reason for improper human behavior violating Jewish values, is the shortness of vision that our limited years impose upon us.

Does love conquer all?

A seemingly minor law about inheritance is in fact a major statement of Jewish values.

The Daily Portion, Ki Teitzei / Our endless war

In which war are we engaged all our lives?

Why can't an Ammonite or Moabite be allowed to enter Am Yisrael?

Just how basic is 'hakarat hatov,' refraining from being an ingrate, in Judaism - and why?

The Daily Portion/ And our eyes did not see

No one should be invisible, no one should live and die alone.

The Torah's Real Estate Advice

The Torah's Real Estate Advice (Shoftim)

The Torah on Jewish property rights and real estate, and the laws as they apply in the Diaspora and in the Land of Israel.

One true Torah, not two

Vital parts of Torah and Jewish life are Jewish policemen, judges, kings, priestly tithes, cities of refuge, prophecy, an army - in Israel.

Torah fit for a king

King David's Torah study influenced his advice to the people. That is why he arose to learn at midnight.

Is it all or nothing?

Do we say we are still in exile if everything is not perfect in Israel, or as religious Zionism does, show gratitude for what we do have.

Shoftim: Choose a leader who can do the job

The Torah is in favor of law and order and of choosing leaders who can do the job.

The Daily Portion, Shoftim / Warning: Border ahead

Self-control is a basic tenet of Judaism and a prescription for a worhwhile life.

Depending on faith

The text in the Torah portion of Re’Eh begins with words that in their striking difference teaches us much of our journey in this world

The sacrificial right in the parsha and our coronavirus times

A verse that tells us what to do, if, for some technical or practical reason, like distancing, those who are needy can’t get to our homes.

Transforming adversity into opportunity-The Rebbe and Chisholm

Shirley Chisholm was the first black woman elected to Congress. How the Lubavitcher Rebbe set her on her way.

Talking Parsha - Re'eh

This week we learn about the mitzvah to give tzedakah & the classic example is giving a loan & taking a collateral in return. Why is that?

The good society

Moses states a proposition that is the most fundamental one in Dvarim and one that would be echoed endlessly by Israel’s Prophets:

New inner vision glasses for Life – Reflections on Parshat Re’eh

At Mount Sinai, we were given a chance to reacquire the spiritual sense of sight, lost in Eden, that enables us to see the internal reality:

Choosing to act: Determinism or free will?

Torah reading: Re'eh: How is it that the principle of determinism and the principle of free will are both part of Judaism?

The Daily Portion, Re'eh / A path that leads to happiness

Happiness is not always the result of our own acomplishments.

The myth of the self-made man

It is in the nature of man, to think that by his strength and acumen, he has prospered - but that is hubris.

A change in the order provides a major lesson for all time!

The first paragraph of the Shema is in the singular. The second paragraph is in the plural, The order of the mitzvot is switched. Why?

Ekev - there is a deep-seated cause behind our present situation

Human civilization needs a little less hubris, less arrogance, more minimal expectations, realization that it is not our will that prevails.

Talking Parsha - Ekev

We know the Mann was a Heavenly food with heavenly taste but this week Moshe Rabeinu describes the Mann as torture and even starvation. Why?

Not because we are righteous

Moshe rebukes the Israelites telling them they didn't merit the Land thanks to their righteousness. What's the blessing hidden in this?

Bagels and Beverly Hills

Sorry guys, the commandments of the Torah were given to be performed in the Land of Israel.

The Covenant and the Love

Eikev 5780: What is the covenant, and what is the love that is distinct from the covenant?

Mitzvot and Mishpatim - A program for national spiritual growth

The transformation elicited by the mitzvot does not occur overnight.

Is Diaspora Just for Practice?

Is The Diaspora Just for Practice? (Ekev)

Baruch Gordon looks at 2nd paragraph of the Shema found in Ekev Torah reading to see that commandments mean more when performed in Israel

Talking Parsha - Va'etchanan

In Parshat Va'etchanan we discuss Moshe's prayers, from which we learn many laws. But is this the model we want to learn from? Why?

What does the Torah say about #JewishPrivilege?

'Jewish privilege' can be used sarcastically by Jews to highlight Jewish persecution, but it also poses a very different challenge.

Devarim: Moses Speaks!

How did Moses, the great leader who said "I am not a man of words" declaim the entire book of Dvarim? Torah from Israel's first Chief Rabbi.

Followership

Covenant & Conversation Dvarim 5780: Faced with an angry mob, a leader is not always in control of the situation.

Talking Parsha - Devarim

Moshe gives a review of the Torah, but when he gets to the story of the Meraglim and the punishment, leaves out an important detail. Why?

The power of a mitzva

Moshe’s fear of Og was not from the physical might of Og, but from Og’s ‘spiritual’ merits

Early indications

Moses admonishes the people in Dvarim, not for the serious sins of the spies and the golden calf, but for flaws rooted in ego. Op-ed.

Moses' last lap - Dvarim

How do we define old age? How do we concentrate when praying?

Don't listen to me - listen to Moshe

What is the first and fundamental mitzva that Moshe explains when he teaches the Torah to his people? Not Shabbos. Not kashrus.

Temple Institute Weekly Torah Study: The words we utter

Torah from the Temple Institute, located in Jerusalem's Old City, dedicated to learning about the Temple and the hopes to rebuild it.

We will go into battle 'For God and the People of Israel'

The tribe of Reuven, Gad and half of Menashe want to live east of the Jordan, but will help conquer the west. Moshe judges their every word.

Talking Parsha - Matot Masei

Why does the Torah suddenly remember to teach us about vows? Why now, as Moshe prepares for death & the nation is preparing to enter Israel?

The "Israel" Commandment

The "Israel" Commandment (Masei 2020)

Baruch Gordon delves into the most important verse in the Torah that establishes how the Hebrew nation should relate to the Land of Israel

Words that can rebuild the Temple

Vows, oaths and obligations: nothing is ever said in a void or without some sort of ramifications.

Matot-Masei: Torah leadersihip means keeping one's word

The elders of Israel, the leaders of the tribes were taught directly by Moshe the entire Oral Law as received by him at Mount Sinai. Why?

Summarizing is the key to moving forward

We see the full picture when we make a summary and the Torah, in listing the journeys, teaches us to look at things in a broad perspective.

Life - one step at a time

The journey of life is not about the destination but about exploration - Nitin Namdeo. Torah thoughts for Matot-Masei.

Weekly Torah Study: Pinchas

No doubt Pinchas did the right thing. But at what price? The Temple Institute weekly Torah thoughts.

Pinchas: The Tamid offering performed at Sinai

Torah from Israell's first Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi, the iconic Torah Luminary and undisputed leader of Religious Zionism.

What is the hallmark of a great leader?

What did Moses mean by a nation appearing to be like sheep who have no shepherd? There is always a shepherd when there is a flock of sheep.

Talking Parsha - Pinchas

What's the most significant story in our Parsha? Pinchas? What makes a true leader? and what does it have to do with 17th BeTamuz?

Pinchas - Status/Change of status

Status. Change of status. Concepts familiar to us from social media. But we use those terms lightly, often for insignificant matters.

Aaron and Pinchas, two diametrically opposed personalities?

When the situation demands it, the gentle priest becomes a man of war, who can and must take decisive and even violent action.

Good and bad are a matter of perspective

What is the difference between the students of Abraham and the students of Bilam? And what are the three levels of having a 'good eye?'

Ya’akov and Yisrael – two levels

The quality of “Ya’akov” allows us to survive suffering, that of “Yisrael” allows us to reach the level in which we can declare God’s name.

When the Tents of Jacob aren’t beautiful: Domestic abuse

In our Torah portion, Balak, is the famous blessing from the prophet Bil’am on the Jewish people's homes. But what if it is not the reality?