Deeper Look At The Parsha

As a result of the atonement process for the Golden Calf, the Jewish people were given the thirteen attributes of mercy as a formula for repentance. Rabbi Dunner shares a fascinating idea from the Netziv, who has an insight into the dangers posed by a lifestyle that is ignorant of sin.

It is surely one of the most confounding stories in the Torah - the Jewish nation, fresh from the Exodus and the Sinai revelation, create a Golden Calf to replace Moses, who has tarried longer than they expected. Rabbi Dunner shares insights from his grandfather's sefer, Mikdash Halevi, shedding light on this jarring episode from the dawn of Jewish history.

Defiance, brazenness, and iconoclasm are traits that are both derided and admired. Are they good or are they bad? Rabbi Dunner delves into this fascinating topic, and poses a revealing lesson from the tzitz hazahav -- the golden frontlet worn by the Jewish high priest that was engraved with the words Kodesh L'Hashem.

Why did the Temple Menorah require the purest olive oil? And why was such pure olive oil not required for the meal offerings? Rabbi Dunner shares a beautiful interpretation from his grandfather's sefer, Mikdash Halevi.

What is the meaning of "self-worth"? Rabbi Dunner reveals a curious reference in Terumah that has the answer.

The whole of Parshat Terumah is devoted to instructions relating to the construction of the "Mishkan" - the first Temple sanctuary of Jewish history. But although the instructions begin with the Aron HaBrit ("Ark of the Covenant") and end with the instructions for constructing the building, when it came to putting it all together, the Mishkan was built first, and then the Aron. Focusing on a curio...

Rabbi Dunner shares a wonderful insight from Harvard professor of psychology, Tal Ben Shahar - an insight which resonates perfectly with Rashi's interpretation of the first verse in Mishpatim. The sacred and the mundane may be different, but they can also be the same.

Why does Mishpatim follow on from Parshat Yitro? Rashi points out that Mishpatim is a continuation of the previous parsha: "Just as the Ten Commandments were given at Mt. Sinai, so too were these civil laws given at Mt. Sinai!" Using his grandfather's Mikdash Halevi commentary as a foundation, Rabbi Dunner offers a full backdrop to this idea and what it means in terms of the Jewish faith.

As he watched the incredible Nach Yomi siyum last Sunday, more than anything else Rabbi Dunner was struck by the fact that a generation ago it simply would not have been possible. Why is our generation so lucky? Rabbi Dunner has the answer.

Rabbi Dunner responds to Dennis Prager's attempt to dismiss his article about the goodness of human nature. Both from a Jewish perspective, and on the basis of scientific knowledge, Prager's critique is wildly off the mark, argues Rabbi Dunner, and he cites chapter and verse to prove his point.

Following their miraculous delivery from certain death via the miracle of the splitting of the Red Sea, the Jewish People, led by Moses, burst forth into song, expressing their faith and gratitude to God. The opening lyric of "Az Yashir" describes how Egypts riders and horses were engulfed by the waters of the sea. Seemingly this is a minor aspect of the extraordinary supernatural events that had...

Rabbi Dunner reflects on his recent trip to Chicago, and particularly on his visits to three local social welfare organizations. Overwhelmed by the incredible range and breadth of chesed that he encounters, Rabbi Dunner cites a little-known Haamek Davar on Parshat Bo that reveals an instinctive chesed that has been at the heart of Jewish identity since time immemorial.

Where does Judaism stand on the debate between Thomas Hobbes and John Locke? Rabbi Dunner charts the history of how humans have regarded the intrinsic nature of humanity, and finds the different views evident in a blundering strategic error by Pharaoh, in his assessment of the tribe of Levi and the character of Moses.

Before going in for a second meeting with Pharaoh, Moses feared that his mission was doomed, and that whatever he said would never work. After all, he told God, if the Jewish people won't listen to me, how is it possible that Pharaoh will take me seriously? This, says, Rashi is one of ten examples of a "kal vachomer" in the Torah. In this fascinating shiur, Rabbi Dunner unpacks Moses' "kal vachome...

A confounding idea proposed by two lifestyle gurus, a remarkable letter from Maimonides about his daily schedule, and a startling statement in Midrash Yalkut Shimoni all come together, as Rabbi Dunner explains why Moses' greatness was derived from his abilities as a shepherd.

In Parshat Shemot, when God appeared to Moses at Horeb from the burning bush and asked him to lead the Jewish people out of Egypt as their liberator – Moses categorically and emphatically refused. Rabbi Dunner explores this extraordinary encounter with the help of a fabulous piece from the Nesivos Sholom. Not all is as it seems.

What is so important about inspirational leadership, and why does being inspirational eclipse every other leadership attribute? Rabbi Dunner uncovers an incredible inference from Jacob's blessing of Reuben in Parshat Vayechi, explaining why Judah replaced Reuben as leader of the family, and not Joseph.

When Jacob called his sons together at the beginning of Parshat Vayechi, it would appear that the idea behind this final family gathering was for Jacob to bless his sons. But not all of Jacob’s pronouncements convey a blessing vibe; on the contrary they seem rather harsh and severe. Rabbi Dunner delves into the correlation between rebuke and blessing, citing a fabulous piece by the Chasam Sofer ab...

On the last night of Chanuka, a bunch of guys came together and sang with Yigal Calek, legendary director and conductor of the London School of Jewish Song, a Jewish musical phenomenon of the '60s, 70s and 80s. As he watched the video, Rabbi Dunner found himself weeping uncontrollably. So did many others. In an attempt to explain this extraordinary reaction, Rabbi Dunner turns to the Igra Dekalla,...

Why did Joseph ask if his father was still alive if he knew that he was? Why did he identify himself as Joseph twice? Why in the first instance did he say "I am Joseph" and in the second "I am Joseph your brother"? Why did the brothers not answer his question? Why does the Midrash consider this "a day of rebuke" if there was no rebuke? Rabbi Dunner shares a definitive commentary by the Beis Halevi...

How can narcissism and its impact on a society obsessed with a narcissist help explain the story of Joseph's success at interpreting Pharaoh's dreams - after the failure of Pharaoh's advisors to do so. Rabbi Dunner offers a compelling backdrop to the story of Pharaoh's dreams based on a model gleaned from modern scientific studies into narcissism and its powerful effects on society.

What are the mystical messages behind the festival of Chanukah? Rabbi Dunner leads us on a journey exploring the hidden messages behind Chanukah, demonstrating that this festival celebrates more than just the victory over the Greeks, and the miraculous long-lasting oil.

It is accepted wisdom among God-believers that religion and morality are one and the same. And yet we see time and again that faith can lead to violence against one's fellow man. How are we to understand this if we want to retain our faith? And how can we know when our devotion to God has undermined our moral compass? Using a powerful verse from Parshat Vayeishev, Rabbi Dunner offers a compelling...

One of the most confounding episodes in the Torah is the story of Jacob's sons' animosity towards their brother Joseph. After initially planning to kill him, they sold him into slavery, with the consequences reverberating for generations. What made Joseph so special? And how did Joseph's brothers justify their actions against him? Rabbi Dunner shares two delightful pieces, one from the Hasidic com...

Rabbi Dunner explores the fascinating history of the word "OK", connecting it to Jacob's prayer at the beginning of Parshat Vayishlach.