Insight of the Week
151 episodes - English - Latest episode: 15 days ago - ★★★★★ - 10 ratingsRelevant weekly insights by Rabbi Eli Mansour - delivered directly to your computer and/or mobile device
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Parashat Tazria- The Superficiality of Gossip
April 11, 2024 13:00 - 49.9 MBParashat Tazria discusses the laws regarding Sara’at – a type of skin infection that brings Tum’a (impurity) upon a person. The Rabbis explain that in ancient times, Sara’at would befall a person as a punishment for the particular sin of Lashon Ha’ra – gossip and talebearing, disseminating negative information about other people. The Torah begins its discussion of Sara’at (13:2) by establishing that it comes in different shades of white, referred to with the terms “Se’et,” “Sapahat” and “Bahe...
Parashat Shemini- Nissan A Month of Teshuba
April 04, 2024 13:00 - 25.6 MBOn the Shabbat preceding Rosh Hodesh Nissan, we read the section in the Torah (Shemot 12) which tells of Beneh Yisrael’s preparations for the night of Yesiat Misrayim (the Exodus from Egypt). This section begins with G-d commanding Moshe and Aharon, “Ha’hodesh Ha’zeh Lachem Rosh Hodashim” – “This month is for you the first of the months” (Shemot 12:2). We are to regard Nissan, the month in which Yesiat Misrayim took place, as the first of the twelve months. Rav Baruch of Medzhybizh (grandson ...
Parashat Tzav- Teshuba Works
March 28, 2024 13:00 - 7.74 MBParashat Sav presents some of the laws relevant to the various categories of Korbanot (sacrifices). One of the sacrifices which were offered in the Bet Ha’mikdash was the Asham (guilt-offering). Unlike the Hatat (sin-offering), which was required after certain inadvertent violations, the Asham was brought after the intentional transgression of certain commands. The Torah says about the Asham, “Bi’mkom Asher Yish’hatu Et Ha’ola Yish’hatu Et Ha’asham” – it was slaughtered in the same area in th...
Purim: “Ve’nahafoch Hu” – Turning the Tables
March 19, 2024 13:00 - 50.7 MBIn the first chapter of Megilat Ester, we read that King Ahashverosh become inebriated during the lavish feast he hosted for the people of Shushan, and he invited his queen, Vashti, to appear before his guests. Ahashverosh was incensed, and he consulted with his team of legal advisors. One of these advisors was Memuchan, whom tradition identifies as Haman. Haman told the king that he, as the monarch, enjoyed dictatorial powers, and could respond to Vashti’s disobedience however he saw fit. Ah...
Parashat Pekudeh- Our Unbreakable Bond With Hashem
March 12, 2024 13:00 - 24.4 MBThe opening verses of Parashat Pekudeh present an accounting of the precious metals that Beneh Yisrael donated for the construction of the Mishkan. The Torah introduces this section by saying, “Eleh Fekudeh Mishkan, Mishkan Ha’edut” – “These are the calculations of the Mishkan, the Mishkan of testimony.” Rashi explains that the Mishkan is called “Mishkan Ha’edut” (“the Mishkan of testimony”) because it testifies to G-d’s having forgiven Beneh Yisrael for the grave sin of the golden calf. The ...
Shabbat Shekalim- The Mundane “Half” of Our Lives
March 05, 2024 13:00 - 42.5 MBThe Shabbat before Rosh Hodesh Adar is called “Shabbat Shekalim,” because on this Shabbat, after the normal Torah reading, we read the section from the Torah (Shemot 30:11-16) that introduces the Misva of “Mahasit Ha’shekel” – the annual half-shekel tax. Each year, starting on Rosh Hodesh Adar, the officials in charge of the Bet Ha’mikdash would begin collecting this tax from the people, because one month later, on Rosh Hodesh Nissan, the public sacrifices should be paid for from new funds. W...
Parashat Ki Tisa- Hashem’s Unlimited Compassion
February 28, 2024 13:00 - 17.3 MBFollowing the sin of the golden calf, G-d decreed that Beneh Yisrael should be annihilated, but Moshe successfully interceded on their behalf, and Hashem repealed His decree. Moshe began his plea by asking, “Why should G-d be incensed at Your nation, whom You took out of the land of Egypt with great strength and a mighty hand?” (32:11). Rav Moshe Alshich (1508-1593) raises the question of how G-d could be described as bringing Beneh Yisrael out of Egypt “with great strength” – which implies t...
Parashat Tesaveh- Olives and Olive Oil
February 21, 2024 13:00 - 102 MBMany commentators noted that Parashat Tesaveh is unusual, in that Moshe Rabbenu’s name does not appear anywhere in this Parasha. It is one of the only Parashiyot since the account of Moshe’s birth (in Parashat Shemot) that omits his name. The explanation given is that after the sin of the golden calf, G-d decided to annihilate Beneh Yisrael and create a new nation from Moshe, but Moshe interceded on the nation’s behalf. He demanded that G-d forgive the people, adding, “…and if not, then erase...
Parashat Teruma- Don't Be Lazy
February 13, 2024 13:00 - 10.6 MBAnyone who has attended a fundraiser and browsed through the dinner journal knows that the largest donations are always featured first. The journal begins with the special full-page ads, and ends with the small quarter-page ads and smaller ads which cost much less. In Parashat Teruma, it seems, a different policy was used. The Parasha begins with Hashem listing the eleven materials that Beneh Yisrael needed to donate toward the construction of the Mishkan. As we would expect, this list begins...
The Torah’s Interpersonal Code
February 07, 2024 13:00 - 33.4 MBParashat Mishpatim presents a lengthy series of civil laws governing a wide range of circumstances. These laws deal with situations such as theft, property damage, bodily harm, lending money, people entrusted with somebody’s object which was lost or ruined, and other cases. The Torah introduces this section by stating, “Ve’eleh Ha’mishpatim Asher Tasim Lifnehem” – “These are the statutes which you shall place before them.” The simple meaning of this verse is that G-d commanded Moshe to “place...
Parashat Yitro- Learning From Yitro’s Example
January 31, 2024 13:00 - 142 MBAfter the Torah told of Beneh Yisrael’s departure from Egypt, it spoke of their experiences in the desert. It described the great miracles performed for them, showing us how G-d cared for our ancestors and ensured their sustenance and protection. All these stories were leading to what we might call the “crescendo,” the purpose for which Beneh Yisrael left Egypt – their receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai. We find, however, one section which seems out of place. Just prior to the story of Matan ...
Parashat Beshalah- Celebrating Pharaoh’s Downfall
January 25, 2024 13:00 - 130 MB“Az Yashir,” the famous song of praise which Beneh Yisrael sang after the miracle of the splitting of the sea, begins, “Ashira L’Hashem Ki Ga’o Ga’a, Sus Ve’rochebo Rama Ba’yam” – “I shall sing to G-d for He has risen ever high; He cast into the sea the horse and its rider” (15:1). This opening segment of “Az Yashir” was sung also by Miriam as she led the women of Beneh Yisrael in song (15:20). Rav Eliezer Ashkenazi (1512-1585), in his work “Ma’aseh Hashem,” offered an insightful explanation ...
Parashat Bo- Recognizing Hashem’s Absolute Control
January 18, 2024 13:00 - 40.8 MBBefore the tenth and final plague, Makat Bechorot (plague of the firstborn), Moshe came before Pharaoh and warned him about the impending calamity that G-d would bring upon Egypt. Moshe then predicted that this plague would cause Pharaoh to finally relent and allow Beneh Yisrael to leave Egypt: “And all these servants of yours will come down to me and say: Leave, you and all the people under your charge! – and afterward, I will leave” (11:8). The question arises, why did Moshe need to say, “V...
Making It Till the End
January 11, 2024 13:00 - 110 MBBefore beginning the story of the ten plagues which G-d brought upon Egypt, it presents the genealogy of the first three tribes of Israel – Reuben, Shimon and Levi. Rashi (6:14) explains that the Torah wanted to tell us about the family background of Moshe and Aharon, the ones who confronted Pharaoh and brought the plagues, and who descended from the tribe of Levi. It therefore began from the first tribe, Reuben, and continued until it reached Moshe and Aharon. The Torah concluded this sectio...
Parashat Shemot- Crying for One Another
January 04, 2024 13:00 - 16.4 MBWe read in Parashat Shemot of the successful attempt made by Yochebed, the mother of Moshe Rabbenu, to rescue her beloved infant. After Pharaoh decreed that all newborn boys among Beneh Yisrael should be killed, Yochebed delivered a baby, and hid him from the Egyptian authorities for three months. Then, seeing that she could no longer hide him, she placed the baby in a basket and put the basket in the river. It was discovered by Pharaoh’s daughter, who opened the basket and saw a child crying...
Parashat Vayehi- The Greatest Blessing of All
December 28, 2023 13:00 - 7.92 MBMany parents observe the beautiful, time-honored practice to bless their children every week on Friday night. The blessing they give is, “Yesimcha Elokim Ke’Efrayim Ve’chi’Mnashe” – that Hashem should make them like Yosef’s two sons, Efrayim and Menashe. The source of this blessing is the story told in Parashat Vayehi of Yaakob Abinu’s emotional meeting with Yosef and his two sons before his passing. After blessing Efrayim and Menashe, Yaakob proclaimed that for all time, parents in Am Yisrae...
Parashat Vayigash- Yosef and His Brothers
December 21, 2023 13:00 - 27.5 MBParashat Vayigash features one of the most dramatic stories in the entire Torah – Yosef’s revelation to his brothers. Many years earlier, when Yosef was just seventeen-years-old, his brothers threw him into a pit, with the intention of killing him. They then decided to lift him from the pit and sell him as a slave to merchants, who brought him to Egypt. Miraculously, Yosef ended up becoming the vizier of Egypt, who was responsible for distributing grain during the years of famine. His brother...
Parashat Mikes- Using Our “Years of Plenty” Wisely
December 12, 2023 13:00 - 146 MBParashat Miketz begins with Pharaoh’s peculiar dreams and his desperate quest for a satisfactory interpretation. Pharaoh dreamt first of seven lean cows devouring seven large cows, and then of seven lean sheaves of grain devouring seven heathy sheaves. The royal advisors were unable to come up with a convincing interpretation, and so the king’s cupbearer, who had been in prison with Yosef, told Pharaoh of how Yosef correctly interpreted his and the baker’s dreams which they dreamt in jail. Yo...
Hanukah- Striving for More
December 07, 2023 13:00 - 27.8 MBThe Misva of lighting the Hanukah candles features an unusual component, one which is unique to this specific Misva. Namely, the Rabbis instituted three different standards of observing the Misva. The Gemara in Masechet Shabbat (21b) teaches that the basic, minimum obligation of Hanukah candles requires lighting just a single candle in each home on each of the eight nights of Hanukah. The higher level of observance – “Mehadrin” – is lighting a candle for each member of the household. The thir...
Parashat VaYishlah- Yaakob and the Camp of Angels
November 28, 2023 13:00 - 16.2 MBYaakob Abinu was making his way back to Eretz Yisrael with his family when he learned that his brother, Esav, was coming to meet him with an army of four hundred men. He immediately made a number of preparations for his feared encounter with Esav, including reciting a heartfelt prayer, and sending Esav a large gift. The Torah relates that after Yaakob made these preparations, “…he slept in the camp that night. He arose during that night, and he took his two wives…and crossed the Yabok crossin...
Parashat Vayeseh- Loving Through Giving
November 23, 2023 13:00 - 17.5 MBWe read in Parashat Vayeseh that when Yaakob arrived in Haran, at the home of his uncle, Laban, he reached an agreement with Laban. According to the agreement, Yaakob would work for seven years as a shepherd, tending to Laban’s herds, in reward for which he would marry Laban’s younger daughter, Rachel, whom Yaakob loved. As we know, Laban ended up tricking Yaakob, and bringing him his older daughter, Leah, instead. Yaakov would eventually marry Rachel, as well, one week later, in exchange for...
Parashat Toldot- Working to Correct Our Ingrained Deficiencies
November 16, 2023 13:00 - 21 MBWe read in Parashat Toldot that Ribka was unable to conceive for many years, until G-d finally accepted Yishak’s prayers, and Ribka conceived with twins. The verse states, “Va’ye’ater Lo Hashem” (25:21) – that G-d accepted Yishak’s prayers. Rashi comments that the word “Lo” in this verse implies “Lo Ve’lo Lah” – that G-d heeded Yishak’s prayer, but not Ribka’s prayer. The reason, Rashi explains, is because “the prayer of a righteous person who is the son of a wicked person is not the same as ...
Parashat Haye Sarah- The Reunion of Souls
November 09, 2023 13:00 - 36.6 MBThe Torah in Parashat Hayeh-Sara tells of Abraham Abinu instructing his trusted servant to travel to Abraham’s homeland, Aram Naharayim, and find a suitable spouse for Abraham’s son, Yishak. Abraham begins this instruction to his servant by mentioning G-d, referring to Him as “Elokeh Ha’shamayim V’Elokeh Ha’aretz” – “G-d of the heavens and G-d of the earth” (24:3). Rabbi Abraham Ibn Ezra, one of the great Spanish commentators (1089-1167), explains that Abraham spoke of Hashem in this way “bec...
Parashat Vayera- Keeping It Private
November 02, 2023 13:00 - 154 MBThe Torah in Parashat Vayera tells the story of the destruction of Sedom, a wicked city which G-d condemned to annihilation. Before destroying the city, G-d sent two angels to rescue Lot – Abraham’s nephew – who had taken residence in Sedom. Rashi (19:29) makes a perplexing comment explaining why Lot deserved to be rescued. Lot was saved, Rashi writes, in the merit of a favor which he did for his uncle, Abraham. When Abraham was forced to briefly move to Egypt because of the harsh famine that...
Parashat Lech-Lecha: Abraham Abinu and the Hashmonaim
October 26, 2023 13:00 - 136 MBThe Torah in Parashat Lech-Lecha tells of a war that was waged by four kingdoms against the five cities of the Jordan River Valley, the largest and most famous of which was Sedom. The four armies conquered Sedom, and took its population – which included Lot, the nephew of Abraham Abinu – captive. A refugee from the war fled to Abraham and informed him that his nephew had been captured. Abraham immediately mobilized a small army, pursued the four kings, and, miraculously, defeated them, rescui...
Parashat Noah- Noah’s Atonement
October 19, 2023 13:00 - 47.3 MBParashat Noah tells the well-known story of the flood which G-d brought upon the world to destroy all of mankind, sparing only Noah and his family. The previous Parasha, Parashat Bereshit, concludes by telling us that as the rest of the world became wicked and immoral, “Noah found favor in the eyes of G-d” (Bereshit 6:8). Rav Moshe Alshich (Tzefat, 1508-1593) finds it significant that when the Torah speaks of Noah earning G-d’s grace, it refers to G-d with the Name of “Havaya,” which signifie...
Bereshit- Bringing Gan Eden Into Our World
October 12, 2023 13:00 - 19.2 MBURGENT APPEAL for ISRAEL from ITORAH.COM iTorah.com has partnered with 4 restaurants in Jerusalem that shut down to cook and provide meals for 2000 IDF soldiers every day. Your donation today goes directly to pay for this effort. https://itorah.com/campaigns/ special The Gemara in Masechet Ta’anit (25a) tells the story of Rabbi Hanina Ben Dosa, an exceptionally pious Sadik who lived in destitution. His wife once complained about the scarcity that they endured, and so he prayed for a miracle. ...
Yom Kippur- The Ripple Effect
September 21, 2023 13:00 - 130 MBThe day which we normally refer to as “Yom Kippur” is actually called in the Torah by a slightly different name – “Yom Kippurim.” The name “Yom Kippur means “Day of Atonement,” whereas “Yom Kippurim” is a plural term, which literally means, “Day of Atonements.” The Torah’s use of the name “Yom Kippurim” thus gives rise to the question of which “atonements” are referred to. Which different types of atonement are indicated by this name? One possibility is that the name “Yom Kippurim” refers to ...
What We Celebrate on Rosh Hashanah
September 14, 2023 13:00 - 118 MBThe Torah never directly commands sounding the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah. Instead, it tells us, in Parashat Emor (Vayikra 23:24), that we must observe the first of Tishri as a “Zichron Teru’a” – literally, “the remembrance of a Shofar blast.” What exactly does this mean, and what might this reflect about the nature of the Rosh Hashanah celebration? Rashi explains that on this day, we recite in our prayers verses that relate to theme of “Zichronot” – G-d’s remembering all past events, and that r...
Parashat Nisavim- Torah Study and Repentance
September 07, 2023 13:00 - 36.4 MBIn Parashat Nisavim, Moshe foresees the time when, after Beneh Yisrael are driven into exile, they will repent, and G-d will then bring them back to their land, and bless them. The Or Ha’haim (Rav Haim Ben-Attar, 1696-1743) notes that Moshe seems to speak here of three different stages of repentance. First, Moshe says, “Ve’shabta Ad Hashem Elokecha Ve’shamata Be’kolo” – “You will return to Hashem your G-d, and heed His voice” (30:2). In response, Moshe continues, Hashem will bring the people ...
Parashat Ki Tabo- Labor of Love
August 31, 2023 13:00 - 35.6 MBParashat Ki-Tabo begins with the Misva of Bikkurim, which requires landowners to bring their first ripened fruits to the Bet Ha’mikdash, and present them to a Kohen. The Torah commands, “Ve’samta Ba’teneh” – that the fruits must be placed in a basket. The Gemara in Masechet Baba Kama (92a) makes a startling comment about these baskets used for the Bikkurim. It teaches that the wealthy landowners would bring their Bikkurim in ornate baskets, which the Kohen would then return to them, whereas t...
Parashat Ki Teseh- Living With Sensitivity
August 24, 2023 13:00 - 29 MBOne of the Misvot presented in Parashat Ki-Teseh is the prohibition against plowing a field with both an ox and a donkey (22:10). In ancient times, plowing was done by harnessing the plow to an animal, and then steering the animal throughout the field. The Torah forbids having an ox and donkey plow together. What is the reason behind this prohibition? The Rabbis explain that an ox, unlike a donkey, chews its cud. This means that after an ox chews and swallows its food, the food returns to its...
Elul- Taking Back Our Time
August 17, 2023 13:00 - 68.7 MBWe are all familiar with the Rabbis’ teaching that “Elul,” the name of the month of repentance that precedes Rosh Hashanah, can be read as an acrostic representing the verse, “Ani Le’dodi Ve’dodi Li” (“I am for my Beloved, and my Beloved is for me” – Shir Hashirim 6:3). This name expresses the responsibility we have during the month of Elul to work toward strengthening our connection to Hashem. The Arizal (Rav Yishak Luria, Safed, 1534-1572), however, found a different – and far more mysterio...
Parashat Re'eh- We Can Take Moshe’s Word for It
August 10, 2023 13:00 - 31 MBParashat Re’eh begins with Moshe telling Beneh Yisrael, “See that I am presenting you today with a blessing and a curse.” He then proceeds to explain that the people will earn G-d’s blessings by fulfilling His commands, and they will be subject to the opposite, Heaven forbid, if they disobey. The Or Ha’haim Ha’kadosh (Rav Haim Ben-Attar, 1696-1743) raises a number of questions regarding this verse. First, he asks why Moshe begins his address with the word “Re’eh” – “See,” instead of telling t...
Parashat Ekeb- Becoming Worthy of Hashem’s Unlimited Kindness
August 03, 2023 13:00 - 27.4 MBThe Or Ha’haim (Rav Haim Ben-Attar, 1696-1743) notes what appears to be a glaring contradiction between two verses in Parashat Ekeb. In the opening verse of this Parasha, Moshe promises Beneh Yisrael that in reward for their observance of the Misvot, “G-d shall fulfill for you the covenant and kindness which He promised to your forefathers.” Meaning, G-d’s fulfillment of the promises He made to Abraham, Yishak and Yaakob depended on the people’s faithful obedience. Later (9:4-5), however, Mos...
Parashat Va'et'hanan- Our Spiritual Genes
July 26, 2023 13:00 - 139 MBWe read in Parashat Va’et’hanan the first of the three paragraphs that comprise the Shema text which we recite each morning and evening. This first paragraph contains the command, “Ve’ahabta Et Hashem Elokecha Be’chol Lebabecha U’b’chol Nafshecha U’b’chol Me’odecha”- “You shall love Hashem your G-d with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your means” (6:5). Rashi explains the precise meaning of this command, to love Hashem with all our “heart,” “soul,” and “means.” Loving Hashem ...
Tisha B'Ab- The Joy of Meeting With G-d
July 19, 2023 13:00 - 134 MBOne of the most striking aspects of the Tisha B’Ab observance is the omission of the “Tahanunim” prayers. These prayers, which beseech G-d for forgiveness, are omitted on joyous occasions, such as Shabbat and holidays, when it is inappropriate to somberly reflect on our sins and ask that they be forgiven. Surprisingly, they are omitted also on Tisha B’Ab. The Rabbis explain that in Megilat Echa, the book of elegies mourning the destruction of Jerusalem that we read on Tisha B’Ab, the day of t...
Parashat Matot-Masei - The Truly Meaningful Journey
July 13, 2023 13:00 - 34.2 MBParashat Maseh begins with a list of Beneh Yisrael’s 42 journeys from their initial trek out of Egypt, until their final station at the banks of the Jordan River, before crossing into the Land of Israel. The Torah introduces this list with the words, “Eleh Maseh Beneh Yisrael” – “These are the journeys of the Children of Israel…” The Or Ha’haim Ha’kadosh (Rav Haim Ben-Attar, 1696-1743), commenting on this verse, notes the tradition explaining the difference between the words “Eleh” (“These”) ...
Parashat Pinhas- Lessons For Students of Torah
July 04, 2023 13:00 - 39.6 MBThe Torah in Parashat Pinhas tells about the census taken of Beneh Yisrael shortly before they crossed into the Land of Israel. We find in the Torah’s account of this census a list of the families of each tribe. The tribe of Yissachar, for example, consisted of four families, established by the four sons of Yissachar – Tola, Puva, Yashub and Shimron (26:23-24). The Or Ha’haim Ha’kadosh (Rav Haim Ben-Attar, 1696-1743) comments that the name “Yissachar,” and the names of his sons, actually conv...
Parashat Hukat- The Unique Responsibility of Kedusha
June 28, 2023 13:00 - 28.9 MBParashat Hukat begins with the command of the Para Aduma, the red cow which was slaughtered and then burned into ashes. These ashes were mixed with water that would be used to purify people and objects that had become impure through contact with a human corpse. The Torah introduces this Misva with the words “Zot Hukat Ha’Torah” – “This is the statute of the Torah.” Curiously, the Torah does not write, “This is the statute of the red heifer,” or “This is the statute of impurity and purificatio...
Parashat Korah- Diffusing Tensions
June 20, 2023 13:00 - 132 MBParashat Korah tells the story of the uprising led by Korah against Moshe Rabbenu. Korah assembled a group of 250 followers and challenged Moshe, charging that he had no right to appoint his brother, Aharon, as Kohen Gadol. In response, Moshe invited Korah and his followers to a “test” of sorts. He told them that the next morning, they should all come to the Mishkan with pans containing fiery coals. They – together with Aharon – would then place incense on the coals as an offering to Hashem. ...
Parashat Shelah- Yehoshua and Kaleb
June 15, 2023 13:00 - 130 MBParashat Shelah tells the famous, tragic story of Het Ha’meragelim, the sin of the spies. Ten of the twelve spies returned with a frightening report about the Land of Israel, and convinced the people that they should not proceed into the land. The two dissenters, Yehoshua and Kaleb, insisted that Eretz Yisrael is a good land, and that with G-d’s help, Beneh Yisrael could capture it. G-d punished the people very harshly, immediately killing the ten spies, and decreeing that Beneh Yisrael would...
Parashat Behaalotecha - Rectification is Always Possible
June 08, 2023 13:00 - 140 MBParashat Behaalotecha begins with what appear as three unrelated topics, but which in truth share an important common theme. The first topic is the command to Aharon regarding the daily kindling of the Menorah. Rashi explains that Aharon regretted having not participated in the special gifts and sacrifices brought by the leaders of the other tribes to celebrate the inauguration of he Mishkan. G-d told Moshe to reassure Aharon that although he did not bring these gifts and offerings, he has th...
Parashat Naso- Emuna First
June 01, 2023 13:00 - 145 MBThe beginning of Parashat Naso continues the census taken of the Leviyim. After we read in the previous Parasha, Parashat Bamidbar, of the counting of the Kehat family – one of the three families of Leviyim – we now read in the beginning of Parashat Naso that the family of Gershon was likewise counted. G-d commanded Moshe, "Naso Et Rosh Beneh Gershon…Le’bet Abotam" – "Take a headcount of the people of Gershon…according to their paternal homes…" A deeper reading of this verse was offered by Ra...
Shavuot- Celebrating the Eternal Torah
May 24, 2023 13:00 - 132 MBThe Gemara in Masechet Shabbat (88a) cites the following enigmatic pronouncement made by an anonymous sage: "Blessed is the Compassionate One who gave the triple Torah to the triple nation through the third, on the third day, in the third month." This Rabbi points to the prominence of the number 3 in the context of Matan Torah. The written text of the Torah itself consists of three portions – Torah, Nebi’im and Ketubim. The nation that received the Torah, Am Yisrael, consists of three groups ...
Shavuot- The Challenge – and Rewards – of Torah Commitment
May 19, 2023 13:00 - 151 MBTradition teaches that the souls of all Jews who would ever live until the end of time were present at Mount Sinai when the Torah was given. This concept actually finds halachic expression, in the concept of "Mushba Ve’omed Me’Har Sinai," which means that we are all considered to have vowed at Mount Sinai to observe the Torah. The Rabbis teach that a vow to observe the Torah does not add anything, since we in any event are bound by the oath we took at Sinai to fulfill all of G-d’s commands. O...
Parashat Behar- Experiencing the Sweetness and Delight of Torah
May 11, 2023 13:00 - 23.4 MBThe Torah in Parashat Behar(25:37) introduces the prohibition against lending on interest: "Et Kaspecha Lo Titen Lo Be’neshech." The Or Ha’haim (Rav Haim Ben-Attar, 1696-1743) adds a deeper level of interpretation, explaining that the word "Kesef" (money) is associated with the verb "K.S.F.," which means "crave" or "desire." Money is called "Kesef" because it is something which people naturally crave. In this verse, the Or Ha’haim writes, the Torah warns us not to allow ourselves to be "bitte...
Parashat Emor- Keter Shem Tob 'The Crown of Good Reputation'
May 04, 2023 13:00 - 32.9 MBRabbi Shimon and the "Keter Shem Tob" Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai teaches us in Pirkeh Abot (4:13), "There are three crowns: the crown of Torah, the crown of Kehuna, and the crown of kingship. But the crown of a good reputation exceeds them." What exactly is meant by the expression "Keter Shem Tob" ("the crown of a good reputation"), and in what way does it "exceed" the other three crowns? One simple explanation is that Rabbi Shimon here does not speak of the "Keter Shem Tob" as the fourth crown, ...
Parashat Ahare Mot- Planting Our Spiritual Trees
April 20, 2023 13:00 - 24.5 MBThe Torah in Parashat Kedoshim (Vayikra 19:23) commands that when Beneh Yisrael enter the land and plant trees, they must refrain from eating a tree’s fruits during the first three years after it is planted. During these three years, the fruits are called "Orla" and are forbidden for consumption and for any sort of benefit. The Or Ha’haim Ha’kadosh (Rav Haim Ben-Attar, 1696-1743) offers a remarkable interpretation of this verse, explaining that beyond introducing the prohibition of Orla, the ...
Parashat Shemini- Respect and Reverence in the Synagogue
April 13, 2023 13:00 - 18.3 MBThe Haftara for Parashat Shemini, taken from the Book of Shemuel II (chapter 6), tells of the tragic events that took place during what was to have been the joyous occasion of the transportation of the Aron (ark) to King David’s city near Jerusalem. The ark had been captured by the Pelishtim many years earlier, and now it was finally being returned to the capital city. During the festive procession, the ark appeared as though it would fall, and so one of the two brothers charged with transpor...