Weekly Parashah - Presented by Ohr Achdut

The connection to the hakdamah (introduction) to Pirkei Avos and the first pasuk of parshas Korach, which lists the lineage of Korach. 

Why did the Jewish nation request for meraglim/spies to observe the land of Canaan before going to conquer the land? Didn't they trust that Hashem would deliver Canaan through Divine assistance, just like he helped the Jewish people escape Egypt and survive in the unforgiving desert? 

The holy Ohr HaChaim teaches us that the purpose of the Holy Ark's travels through the desert was to release the hidden sparks of holiness. But isn't the desert a barren place, barren of physical and spiritual life? How could such a place harbor sparks of holiness? 

Who were the Nessiim that were consecrated as leaders of the tribes of Israel in this week's parasha, and how did they merit becoming leaders?

The significance of Gd counting the Jewish people in the dessert, and how it relates to the celebration of Matan Torah, the revelation at Mt. Sinai, which we commemorate on the holiday of Shavuos.

The amazing story of the Ohr HaChaim's 42 interpretations of the phrase "IM BECHUKOSAI TEILEICHU / IF YOU WILL WALK/TRAVEL IN THE WAY OF MY DECREES", and what we learn from this story about our mission in this world. 

The day of Lag Ba'Omer is a day we celebrate the torah of Rebbe Shimon Bar Yochai, who came out of his cave of hiding and was incensed to see a Jew working when he could be learning Torah. It is also the day of "Hod She'be'hod" - a day that CHAZAL bring down corresponds to Aharon Hakohen, who brought peace and resolved disputes amongst Am Yisrael.  Are we to be like RASHBI and be strong in ou...

Gd freed the Jewish people from Egypt in a miraculous way despite having been underserving of such great miracles. Explains the Ba'al Shemtov, Gd propped us up initially, then, when he gave the Jewish people the Torah, he wanted us to make "it" our own. To find our own unique path to Him, both as a nation and as individuals. 

Inherent in the command "V'ahavta L'rei'echa Ka'mocha," to love others as you love yourself, is to love yourself . We can't love others sufficientlyunless we learn to have what the holy Baal Shem Tov refers to as "Ahavas Atzmis" - loving our essence, the Gdliness inherent in each of us. Explains the Netivos Shalom, we must come to peace with our imperfections and flaws, because even those such as...

The Shvilei Pinchas explains that the two korbanos/sacrifices that Aharon HaKohen was instructed to bring on Yom Kipper each atoned for a different category of sin: One atoned for sins bein Adam L'Makom (sins between man and Gd), and one atoned for sins bein Adam L'Chaveiro (sins between man and his fellow man). The Shvilei Pinchas explains that sins between man and his fellow are the root of all...

Counting the Omer: The importance of Teshuva

How the four parshiyos we read leading up to Pesach prepare us and cleanse us for the Geulah (redemption) of Pesach.

The Maharal's answer to the famous question, "why did the Jews have to rush out of Egypt", and the Shem Mishmuel's explanation of the purification ritual  of a metzora (leper), teach us an imperative lesson about our identity and purpose as Jews. 

The connection between the law of milah (circumcision), the letter HEI, and Avraham Avinu, as elucidated by the Shvilei Pinchas on this week's parasha.

What is greatness? Is it being perfect? Flawless? Void of internal struggles? The Ohr HaChaim provides us with an answer through his explanation of the first word of the parasha, VE'HAYA. The Ohr HaChaim explains that this word elucidates Moshe Rabeinu's nature, and it provides us with an example of what made Moshe Rabeinu the greatest of the great. 

The connection between the command in Parashas Tzav, "a fire should burn perpetually on the mizbeach, and should never cease" (Vayikra 6:6) and the story of Purim, and what it teaches us about true "simcha" (joy).

The Ohr HaChaim in Parashas Vayikra teaches us an important idea essential in the battle against the forces of Amalek, which aim to divide us and separate us from each other, from Torah, and, ultimately, from Gd.

The connection between Betzalel, Yaakov Avinu, the Mishkan, and the PINIMIYUS (inner depth) of the Torah Shebichsav (the written Torah). 

At the very beginning of Parashas Vayakhel we are again given the command to observe Shabbos. Right after the command, the Torah singles out one specific melacha (form of work) that we should refrain from doing on Shabbos: "You shall kindle no fire throughout your settlements on the sabbath day (Exodus 35, 3). Why does the Torah make mention of this melacha when there are 39 others to choose from?...

In this week's parasha, Parashas Ki Sisa, Hashem instructs Moshe to count the Jewish people by having them each donate exactly "machatzis hashekel" / "half a shekel," no more and no less. The Ohr HaChaim asks, why half a shekel? And why can't someone give more or less than the prescribed amount? Furthermore, is there a connection between the machatzis hashekel and another event in this week's para...

In this week's parasha, parashas Tetzaveh, Hashem instructs Moshe to appoint Aharon as the Kohen, the priest of the Jewish nation, the conduit between Gd and His people through orchestrating and conducting the daily services in the mishkan. HaShem tells Moshe that he should "HAKREV EILECHA" / "Bring [Ahraon] near, for yourself." Asks the Ohr HaChaim, what does Moshe bringing Aharon "near" to him h...

In this week's Parasha, Gd gives Moshe instructions on how to build the "Mishkan", a holy structure where Gd could rest His "Shechina" (loosley defined as "presence") amongst His nation. Gd would instruct Moshe to make various elements of the structure himself, except when it came to the ARON, where Hashem says, "V'ASU ARON" / "THEY SHALL MAKE AN ARON."  Why the change from second person sing...

While we are in the final week of SHOVAVIM, a time period when we reflect on how the G-d revealed Himself to the Jewish people and the entire world at large, we are approaching the month of Adar, when we reflect on how G-d reveals Himself in a concealed way. And despite reflecting on this concealment during the month of Adar and through recounting the story of Purim, it is a considered a Z'MAN SIM...

Within Parashas Yisro is recorded the Children of Israel receiving the Ten Commandments from Gd, one of which is ZACHOR ES YOM HASHABBOS ("Remember the day of Shabbos..."). What does it mean to "remember" the day of Shabbos? The Nesivos Shalom, the Rebbe of Lechovitz, and the holy Ohr Hachaim offer imperative insight that will allow us to experience the joy of Shabbos––and the joy of life––in a mo...

The Netivos Sholom explains that Shabbos has tremendous healing powers unmatched by regular teshuva. Why?