This Week in Learning

The Torah gives an elaborate elucidation of the laws of Tzaraat. It goes into a great level of detail, describing this affliction affecting houses, clothing, and skin. It is thus surprising to encounter a position in the Talmud that states that there has never actually been a house afflicted with Tzaraat, and there never will be. תלמוד בבלי – סנהדרין עא. כְּמַאן אָזְלָא הָא דְּתַנְיָא בַּיִת הַמְנ...

It is customary each week to publicly read a selected section of the prophets following the reading of the Torah. The selection usually adds to or extends upon the corresponding Torah portion. The themes are generally complementary, such as the building the Beit HaMikdash (temple) being paired with the building of the Mishkan (tabernacle). While the Haftorah chosen for Parshat Tzav (not read this...

The Book of Esther is unique. It is a story about the salvation of the Jewish people, but it does not contain the name of God overtly anywhere in the text. Indeed, the Talmud explains that Esther marks a new dawn in the relationship between God and his people. תלמוד בבלי – יומא כט. אָמַר רַבִּי אַסִּי לָמָּה נִמְשְׁלָה אֶסְתֵּר לְשַׁחַר לוֹמַר לָךְ מָה שַׁחַר סוֹף כׇּל הַלַּיְלָה אַף אֶסְתֵּר סוֹף...

Mishlei 13:16 משלי (יג:טז) כׇּל־עָ֭רוּם יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה בְדָ֑עַת וּ֝כְסִ֗יל יִפְרֹ֥שׂ אִוֶּֽלֶת׃ Mishlei 13:16 – Every Arum acts with knowledge, and the fool spreads foolishness. Questions: Q1: What is an Arum? Q2: Why does is say “all” or “every” Arum? Q3: How do the two halves contrast? Q4: What is King Solomon telling me that I don’t already know? The intelligent or sophisticated act with knowledge,...

The Torah system encompasses many different subject areas. Definitions within one area often appear in other areas within the system. Like in nature, when we carefully follow one thread, it is often intertwined and will lead us to related expressions within the system. שמות כה – (ל) וְנָתַתָּ֧ עַֽל־הַשֻּׁלְחָ֛ן לֶ֥חֶם פָּנִ֖ים לְפָנַ֥י תָּמִֽיד׃ Shemot 25 – (30) And you shall place on the table sh...

The Parsha of Mishpatim is a continuation of the revelation at Sinai. It outlines numerous institutions and features of the Torah’s system of justice. It then discusses the Jewish people’s acceptance of the Torah. שמות כד (ז) וַיִּקַּח֙ סֵ֣פֶר הַבְּרִ֔ית וַיִּקְרָ֖א בְּאׇזְנֵ֣י הָעָ֑ם וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ כֹּ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה נַעֲשֶׂ֥ה וְנִשְׁמָֽע׃ Shemot 24 (7) And he took the Book of the Cove...

Following the splitting of the sea, the Jewish people begin to complain. First they run out of water. After finding a water source that is undrinkable, they complain about Moshe. He cries out to Hashem who provides a solution. They then travel to Elima where there are twelve springs of water and seventy date palms. After departing, they begin to complain again about Moshe and Aharon. שמות טז (ג) ו...

Two of the four sections included in Tefillin make up the last two paragraphs of Parshat Bo. Each of the paragraphs discusses the consecration of the first born, the exodus from Egypt, and the mitzvah of Tefillin. What thematically relates these three items, consecration of the first born, the exodus, and the performance of putting on Tefillin? שמות יג (ט) וְהָיָה֩ לְךָ֨ לְא֜וֹת עַל־יָדְךָ֗ וּלְזִ...

Yaakov gathers his sons together. He tells them of the future. He addresses the group, and each son individually. בראשית מט – (א) וַיִּקְרָ֥א יַעֲקֹ֖ב אֶל־בָּנָ֑יו וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הֵאָֽסְפוּ֙ וְאַגִּ֣ידָה לָכֶ֔ם אֵ֛ת אֲשֶׁר־יִקְרָ֥א אֶתְכֶ֖ם בְּאַחֲרִ֥ית הַיָּמִֽים׃ (ב) הִקָּבְצ֥וּ וְשִׁמְע֖וּ בְּנֵ֣י יַעֲקֹ֑ב וְשִׁמְע֖וּ אֶל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל אֲבִיכֶֽם׃ Bereisheit 49 – (1) Jacob called for his sons and said...

The Jewish response to difficult situations is to cry out to God, engage in reflection and Teshuva, and correct our errors and improve our situation. Examples of difficult situations include current famine, plagues, or wars. The Sages ordained that when a calamity affects the community, it is appropriate to engage in fasting. רמב"ם תעניות ה (א) יש שם ימים שכל ישראל מתענין בהם מפני הצרות שאירעו בהם...

The stage is set for the founding of the Jewish nation. But all does not proceed smoothly. There is tension in the house of Jacob. בראשית לז (א) וַיֵּ֣שֶׁב יַעֲקֹ֔ב בְּאֶ֖רֶץ מְגוּרֵ֣י אָבִ֑יו בְּאֶ֖רֶץ כְּנָֽעַן׃ (ב) אֵ֣לֶּה׀ תֹּלְד֣וֹת יַעֲקֹ֗ב יוֹסֵ֞ף בֶּן־שְׁבַֽע־עֶשְׂרֵ֤ה שָׁנָה֙ הָיָ֨ה רֹעֶ֤ה אֶת־אֶחָיו֙ בַּצֹּ֔אן וְה֣וּא נַ֗עַר אֶת־בְּנֵ֥י בִלְהָ֛ה וְאֶת־בְּנֵ֥י זִלְפָּ֖ה נְשֵׁ֣י אָבִ֑יו וַ...

We are bewildered. We are confused. We struggle to make sense of the evil we are being forced to confront. Starting with the verse prior to the beginning of the Haftorah for this week, we read: הושע יא (ו) וְחָלָ֥ה חֶ֙רֶב֙ בְּעָרָ֔יו וְכִלְּתָ֥ה בַדָּ֖יו וְאָכָ֑לָה מִֽמֹּעֲצ֖וֹתֵיהֶֽם׃ (ז) וְעַמִּ֥י תְלוּאִ֖ים לִמְשׁוּבָתִ֑י וְאֶל־עַל֙ יִקְרָאֻ֔הוּ יַ֖חַד לֹ֥א יְרוֹמֵֽם׃ Isaiah 11 And war will dev...

There is an interesting section of the Talmud at the end of Tractate Sotah describing the potential deterioration of society prior to the coming of the Moshiach –Messiah: תלמוד בבלי – סוטה מט: בעקבות משיחא חוצפא יסגא ויוקר יאמיר הגפן תתן פריה והיין ביוקר ומלכות תהפך למינות ואין תוכחת בית וועד יהיה לזנות והגליל יחרב והגבלן ישום ואנשי הגבול יסובבו מעיר לעיר ולא יחוננו וחכמות סופרים תסרח ויראי חטא ימ...

Moshe’s teaches the Jewish people a song that encompasses all of Jewish history. It is composed with lyrical beauty, but much of its message is a harsh critique of the people’s current and future failings. One example is the Jewish people’s response to prosperity. דברים לב וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ן יְשֻׁרוּן֙ וַיִּבְעָ֔ט שָׁמַ֖נְתָּ עָבִ֣יתָ כָּשִׂ֑יתָ וַיִּטּשׁ֙ אֱל֣וֹהַּ עָשָׂ֔הוּ וַיְנַבֵּ֖ל צ֥וּר יְשֻֽׁעָת...

Teshuva is a central theme in Judaism. It relates to many fundamental philosophical principles and foundational ideas such as reward and punishment. It is a core value, an essential activity that allows us to develop over time. תלמוד בבלי – יומא פו עמוד ב אמר ריש לקיש גדולה תשובה שזדונות נעשות לו כשגגות שנאמר {הושע י"ד:ב'} שובה ישראל עד ה' אלהיך כי כשלת בעונך הא עון מזיד הוא וקא קרי ליה מכשול איני...

As Moshe closes his final speech to the Jewish people, he reminds them of the basic choice that stands before them. דברים ל טו) רְאֵ֨ה נָתַ֤תִּי לְפָנֶ֙יךָ֙ הַיּ֔וֹם אֶת־הַֽחַיִּ֖ים וְאֶת־הַטּ֑וֹב וְאֶת־הַמָּ֖וֶת וְאֶת־הָרָֽע׃ (טז) אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָנֹכִ֣י מְצַוְּךָ֮ הַיּוֹם֒ לְאַהֲבָ֞ה אֶת־יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ לָלֶ֣כֶת בִּדְרָכָ֔יו וְלִשְׁמֹ֛ר מִצְוֺתָ֥יו וְחֻקֹּתָ֖יו וּמִשְׁפָּטָ֑יו וְחָיִ֣יתָ וְרָבִ֔ית...

Understanding the blessings and curses outlined in Parshat Ki Tavo is challenging. At first glance, it appears Hashem is simply demanding obedience, offering rewards for listening and threatening a severe punishment for disobedience. דברים כח (א) וְהָיָ֗ה אִם־שָׁמ֤וֹעַ תִּשְׁמַע֙ בְּקוֹל֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ לִשְׁמֹ֤ר לַעֲשׂוֹת֙ אֶת־כׇּל־מִצְוֺתָ֔יו אֲשֶׁ֛ר אָנֹכִ֥י מְצַוְּךָ֖ הַיּ֑וֹם וּנְתָ֨נְךָ...

In the context of describing the mitzvah of Tzitzit, the Torah makes an intriguing statement: במדבר טו:לט וְהָיָ֣ה לָכֶם֮ לְצִיצִת֒ וּרְאִיתֶ֣ם אֹת֗וֹ וּזְכַרְתֶּם֙ אֶת־כׇּל־מִצְוֺ֣ת יְהֹוָ֔ה וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑ם וְלֹֽא־תָת֜וּרוּ אַחֲרֵ֤י לְבַבְכֶם֙ וְאַחֲרֵ֣י עֵֽינֵיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁר־אַתֶּ֥ם זֹנִ֖ים אַחֲרֵיהֶֽם׃ Bamidbar 15: 39) This shall be fringes for you, and when you see it, you will remember all t...

Miriam and Aharon discuss Moshe’s relationship with his wife. They apparently don’t understand why Moshe operates differently than they do, given that they are all prophets. Hashem addresses himself to Miriam and Aharon and outlines the differences between Moshe and standard prophets. Hashem explains that He communicates with all other prophets through the medium of a dream. במדבר יב (ז) לֹא־כֵ֖ן...

A subtle but dramatic scene unfolds on the Shavuot holiday as the farmer arrives at the Beit HaMikdash –the Temple in Jerusalem, with the first fruits of the season. He hands the basket of fruits to the Kohen and makes a familiar statement: דברים כו א) וְהָיָה, כִּי-תָבוֹא אֶל-הָאָרֶץ, אֲשֶׁר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, נֹתֵן לְךָ נַחֲלָה; וִירִשְׁתָּהּ, וְיָשַׁבְתָּ בָּהּ. ב) וְלָקַחְתָּ מֵרֵאשִׁית כָּל-פּ...

We are commanded not to oppress our fellow in business. Three verses later, we are commanded not to oppress our fellow with words. The same term is used in each case: ויקרא כה (יד) וְכִֽי־תִמְכְּר֤וּ מִמְכָּר֙ לַעֲמִיתֶ֔ךָ א֥וֹ קָנֹ֖ה מִיַּ֣ד עֲמִיתֶ֑ךָ אַל־תּוֹנ֖וּ אִ֥ישׁ אֶת־אָחִֽיו׃ 14And when you make a sale to your fellow Jew or make a purchase from the hand of your fellow Jew, you shall not...

The holidays play a significant role in our religious consciousness. Across the year, these appointed times draw our attention to different themes and include diverse mitzvot. In Parshat Emor, the Torah outlines and discusses the major holidays. ויקרא כג (ב) דַּבֵּ֞ר אֶל־בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ אֲלֵהֶ֔ם מוֹעֲדֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־תִּקְרְא֥וּ אֹתָ֖ם מִקְרָאֵ֣י קֹ֑דֶשׁ אֵ֥לֶּה הֵ֖ם מוֹעֲדָֽי...

The Torah contains laws that govern diverse aspects of our lives. The Parsha of Kedoshim includes many rules that regulate how man relates to humanity around him. These obligations express an array of values. ויקרא יט (יז) לֹֽא־תִשְׂנָ֥א אֶת־אָחִ֖יךָ בִּלְבָבֶ֑ךָ הוֹכֵ֤חַ תּוֹכִ֙יחַ֙ אֶת־עֲמִיתֶ֔ךָ וְלֹא־תִשָּׂ֥א עָלָ֖יו חֵֽטְא׃ Vayikra 19 (17) You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You sh...

The Rambam bases the mitzvah of Brit Milah –circumcision on the following verse in Tazria: ויקרא יב (ג) וּבַיּ֖וֹם הַשְּׁמִינִ֑י יִמּ֖וֹל בְּשַׂ֥ר עׇרְלָתֽוֹ׃ Vayikra 12 3 And on the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. משנה תורה – הקדמה – מצות עשה – רטו  – לָמוּל אֶת הַבֵּן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמָר "וּבַיּוֹם, הַשְּׁמִינִי, יִמּוֹל, בְּשַׂר עָרְלָתוֹ" (ויקרא יב,ג) Rambam - Mishna Torah...

On the day of the inauguration of the Mishkan, the entire people gather together. Aharon, the high priest, prepares the offerings and places them upon the altar. A heavenly fire descends from the heavens and consumes the offerings, sanctifying God’s name. ויקרא ט:כד–י:א (כד) וַתֵּ֤צֵא אֵשׁ֙ מִלִּפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה וַתֹּ֙אכַל֙ עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ אֶת־הָעֹלָ֖ה וְאֶת־הַחֲלָבִ֑ים וַיַּ֤רְא כׇּל־הָעָם֙ וַיָ...