Deeper Look At The Parsha

Rabbi Dunner recalls his visit to the Biblical Museum of Natural History in Beit Shemesh last July, a facility that showcases animals and birds from the perspective of Torah and Talmud, as well as Jewish history. As Rabbi Dunner explains, his visit to the museum helped him to finally understand the need for the eclectic details of various kosher and non-kosher animals and birds recorded in Parshat...

Parshat Shmini contains an entire section devoted to forbidden foods and dietary laws. Many of the commentaries point to the fact that these laws are identified with "kedusha" -- a Hebrew word usually translated to mean "holiness". Using two pieces of Nesivos Sholom as the backdrop to this shiur, Rabbi Dunner weaves together a deeper definition of "kadosh" and "kedusha" and explains why it is fore...

Modern studies have shown that there is much to be gained by being optimistic, and much to be lost by wallowing in pessimism. Rabbi Dunner cites a Rashi towards the end of the Exodus narrative that finds this idea embedded at the heart of our most important nation-founding narrative.

One of the highlights of Seder night is when we reach the upbeat Dayeinu song. In this shiur, Rabbi Dunner examines and unpacks Dayeinu, trying to make sense of its actual meaning. What is the significance of the song? Why do we sing it at the seder? More to the point, how would it have been enough to watch the Red Sea split, but not to walk through it and be saved? And how does it make sense to b...

What do the late comedian Don Rickles and Moshe Rabbeinu have in common? A Midrash at the beginning of Vayikra, a Seforno commentary, and a fascinating piece by Rabbi Shmuel Shmelke Horowitz of Nikolsburg may offer an unexpected answer. Rabbi Dunner explores the "meaning of life".

Rabbi Dunner reflects on becoming an American citizen this week, and particularly the group ceremony he participated in to take the oath of allegiance. Drawing inspiration from the opening verses of Vayakhel, he explains why this collective experience is so fundamentally important to the underlying message.

Akavya ben Mehallalel was a very early Talmudic sage, but it is not until the beginning of Chapter Three that we get to hear from him. "Remember where you come from, where you'll end up, and to whom you will one day have to give a reckoning -- and then you won't sin!" Rabbi Dunner dissects this curious statement with the help of a classic piece from the Maharal of Prague.

Parshat Vayakhel begins with Moses gathering together the entire nation in order to instruct them about the construction of the Mishkan, the desert sanctuary that traveled with them and was the center of Jewish life for forty years in the wilderness, and during their first few years after the conquest of Canaan. The Midrash points out that the word "vayakhel" -- "and he gathered" -- is unique, app...

After exactly a year, Rabbi Dunner's community has finally returned to their synagogue building, having closed the facility immediately after Purim last year in response to the dangers of COVID. Rabbi Dunner reflects on a difficult year for his community, although it was immeasurably enhanced by an open-air minyan at a synagogue member's tennis court. A couple of weeks ago the tennis court tent al...

One of the most troubling narratives in the entire Bible is the story of the Golden Calf in Parshat Ki Tissa. How was it possible that just forty days after receiving the Torah and experiencing the revelation at Sinai the Jewish nation committed such a grave sin? Rabbi Dunner explores the shocking Golden Calf episode using classical sources as well as a revealing Nesivos Sholom.

"My late brother Benzi died in a car accident in 2008, and although he is principally remembered for his superlative philanthropy – and to be fair, his philanthropy was exceptional – my own recollections of him revolve around his incredible sensitivity and compassion." Rabbi Dunner recalls his brother Benzi z"l, and his legacy that chimes with the story of Purim.

Parshat Tetzaveh begins with a directive relating to the Temple Menorah (Ex. 27:20): “You shall instruct the Israelites to bring you clear oil of beaten olives for lighting, for kindling the perpetual flame.” The word used by the Torah for the directive — “tetzaveh” — is the harshest verb one can use in biblical Hebrew to convey an order or instruction. Ordinarily the Torah uses softer language, b...

One of the great challenges of the human condition is the ever-present tension between self-interest and selflessness. Curiously, countless studies have shown that focusing on self-interest to the exclusion of the needs of others does not guarantee happiness. Rabbi Dunner reveals how the words used by the Torah to describe the gems of the High Priest's breastplate have a powerful lesson to impart...

Rabbi Tarfon was one of the great Talmudic sages, who lived during the era of Rabban Gamliel and Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Dunner explains the origins of his Greek name, and shares the two mishnas of Pirkei Avot that were recorded in his name. Sage advice from one of the greatest Talmudic sages, encouraging us to reach for the highest spiritual goals, even if we know (or believe) we might not ever make i...

One of the Jewish calendar’s most unusual days is Purim, a day of celebration and feasting marked by the type of revelry that is studiously avoided on any other day of the year. This rather curious phenomenon has its roots in the original story of liberation and redemption featured in the Megilla, as Rabbi Dunner explains. And yet, it is so out of character for a religious celebration to be highli...

Miscarriages of justice, such as the notorious Hudspeth case of 1892, the Johnson lynching of 1906, and the celebrated Sam Sheppard case in the 1950s, are very much part-and-parcel of our flawed justice system, demonstrating just how unjust it can be. Rabbi Dunner reveals a literary connection between the Torah directive for judicial integrity and one of the Ten Commandments, illustrating how wron...

Rabbi Eleazar ben Arach was the most prominent disciple and student of Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai. In this mishna (Avot 2:14) he offers a three-pronged approach to Torah study that encapsulates the attitude of a true Torah scholar like him. Once again, essential advice from the source of Jewish ethics.

What is the significance of the word "lifneihem" (in front of them)in the opening verse of Parshat Mishpatim? Rabbi Dunner relates the incredible story of Onkelos the proselyte, as conveyed to us in the Midrash, and shares insights from the K'sav Sofer of Pressburg, and the holy Rabbi Israel of Ruzhyn.

How do we reconcile the existence of pointless suffering with a loving, omnipotent God? How can an omnipotent God exist, if He cannot create something that challenges His own power? This is known as the 'omnipotence paradox'. Rabbi Dunner tackles these and other questions using the Ten Commandments as the backdrop to a solution that explains and reinforces faith in a seemingly imperfect world.

Parshat Yitro contains the foundational text of Jewish faith, known as the Decalogue or Ten Commandments. In describing the awesome event at Mount Sinai, the Torah introduces the text of the Decalogue by telling us that God spoke all of these words to be said over, implying that those who heard them would need to repeat them to others. This presents us with quite a puzzle, as there were no others!...

Rabbi Dunner is inspired by a quote from the syndicated columnist Erma Louise Bombeck along with a story about 'college-dropout' Steve Jobs to share a fascinating Midrash that describes the very first time manna dropped from Heaven to feed the nascent Jewish nation. The Midrash differentiates between the "great ones" and the ordinary folk who picked up their manna and the contrast is not what it f...

Rabbi Shimon ben Netanel was one of Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai's most cherished disciples. He was a great believer in sweating the details, particularly when it came to devotional prayers and a person's self-image. Rabbi Dunner gives the background and offers insights into the advice of this great Talmudic rabbi.

One of the great mysteries of the Exodos from Egypt is the “part two” that happened on the shores of the Red Sea. After all, once the Israelites were freed from Egyptian servitude, why was there a need to be saved again via the splitting of the Red Sea? More puzzlingly, what did God mean when He told Moses that the Israelites shouldn’t cry out to Him when they were facing certain death? What else...

A YouTube prank by 'social experiment videographer' Riceman revealed an incredible capacity for kindness in someone who had nothing of his own. Rabbi Dunner uses this story as a platform to share an incredible interpretation by the Vilna Gaon of a verse in Parshat Bo about the importance of smalls acts of kindness for each other that resulted in the redemption from slavery in Egypt.

The ninth plague of the ten to afflict Egypt was "choshech" — the plague of darkness. For six days the Egyptians were plunged into total darkness, unable to see each other, or even to physically move from where they were. The commentaries all struggle to define this darkness, particularly because the Torah tells us that the Jews had light even as the Egyptians experienced darkness. Rabbi Dunner fo...