Inspirational Thoughts on the Parsha

The law with transactions and acquisitions is that one cannot sell something that does not exist. Thus, one can only sell produce that is physically around. However, when you buy a tree, then you get to own the future fruits. The law is different when it comes to Hekdesh ( donations to the Bais HaMikdash) and Tzedaka, where a future commitment for a yet non existent item, although it doesn’t becom...

Two types of Karbonos represent two aspects to incorporate to successfully achieve our G-dly mission on this world. The Omer, which was brought on Pesach was comprised of barley -an animal food, and it was from the new crops, which permitted everybody to start using their new crops. The second was the Shnei HaLechem, the Two Breads, which was brought on Shavous -from wheat, human food. This too wa...

Not only are we not permitted to use inaccurate scales, we are not even allowed to own one. When it comes to stealing, it’s very clear that the person desires to steal from another and is not concealing that intent. However, when it comes to using an inaccurate scale, the person is attempting to show that he is trying to be honest on the outside, but on the inside, he is being deceptive. Therefore...

A Metzora represents someone who is on a spiritual decline. He therefore, becomes impure with a mark, a “Nega”and is sent out of the camp, where he reflects on his behavior and actions, changes his ways and becomes a Bal Tshuva. Interestingly, the Nega is an extremely low thing, yet it brings the person to the greatest of heights. Similarly, the rabbis say, that when Tshuvah is done out of love an...

At the inauguration ceremony of the Mishkan, Moshe Rabeinu tells Aron that although a mourner doesn’t eat from the Kabonos, yet now during your mourning for your two sons, I want you to eat the Karbonos. Aron goes ahead, eats some and then burns some. He says that they are two different types of Karbonos, and therefore, even though he has to eat one, the other one has to get burnt. There are the “...

There is a debate regarding a contribution for a Korbon: whether it is more important to keep your word or to keep your intention. Therefore, if someone promises to bring a small Korbon but brings a large one, according to one opinion, it’s not valid. However, according to another opinion, since the intention of every Jew is to bring the biggest and the best, although he may bring a small Korbon,...

There are two amazing explanations on the word Pekudei. First , it means to count- referring to when the Jewish people brought the multitude of material and the Kalim of the Mishkon to be counted by Moshe. The purpose of the Mishkon was to forgive the Jewish people for the sin of the Egel. Moshe, as the leader of the Jewish people, was able to transfer the ownership of materials from the individua...

It’s all about the generosity of the heart. After the Jewish people sinned with the Egel , Hashem forgave them. In order to counter the excitement they had when they brought the gold to build the Egel, the Jewish people displayed their generosity of heart during their donations for the Mishkan, which were accompanied with great enthusiasm and excitement. Their massive donations, initiated from the...

There is a discussion regarding the purpose of the clothing the Kohanim wore. According to Rashi, it was primarily clothing-to cover up out of modesty, but also to accord honor and glory. According to the Rambam, it was primarily for honor and glory which expressed itself in the clothing. Therefore, when it came to the Efod, Rashi explains that it was designed longer and wider to cover up even mor...

Why is it that when Bnei Yisroel built a home for a Hashem fit was also constructed with silver and copper? Wasen’t gold alone the best choice? The answer is because each one of these metals represents a different type of Jew. In order to have a proper home for Hashem we need representation from all types of Jews. This is similar to the Aron-the holiest place in the Bais Hamikdash- which represent...

If a person’s animal damages on three occassions, it is called a Mued -one with a destructive behavior. There are two ways to revert it back to its original tame state. One is to train it long and hard until it eventually returns to its original state. Another way is to either sell it or gift it. With the change of ownership and its environment, the animal reverts back to the original tame state....

There are two approaches to learning Torah and fulfilling Mitzvos. One is similar to a servant that does everything his master commands him to do, yet his own identity remains important; he takes care of his own affairs and lives his own life. This individual is compared to a person that keeps the Torah; he does everything Hashem commands him to do, but he is his own person and lives his own life....

When the Jews left Mitzraim, Torah relates that the Jewish people took the bones of Yosef with them. In Hebrew the word bones can also mean essence. This refers to the fact that they took the essence, the core of who Yosef was, what he stood for and what was important to him with them in the desert. His name Yosef signifies taking somebody who is “other“ and adding or making him a child of G-d. Si...

There is a discussion whether the plague of darkness was considered as one or two miracles. According to one opinion, it was one miracle; the combination of the darkness for the Egyptians whilst the Jews had a natural light to be able to see the wealth of the Egyptians, thus fulfilling the mitzvah of emptying them of their wealth. The second opinion suggests that there was a second miracle, a mira...

Although Moshe Rabeinu is mute, Hashem tells him not to worry but to go with his brother Aron and both should address Paroah. First Moshe should repeat Hashem’s words exactly in Lashon Hakodesh (although Paroah wouldn’t understand) and then Aron should translate it, explain it and try to convince Paroah to let the Jews go . The question arises: if that is indeed the case, what is the point of Mosh...

Usually, when we reference the relationship of Hashem and the Jewish people, we use the example of the love of a father to a little child, since such a love is essentially pure- and not yet dependent upon additional external virtues. Why then when Moshe Rabbeinu approaches Pharaoh does he reference the Jewish people using the term of an older child? The answer is, that although when we are older a...

Why do we finish the first safer of the Chumash with something seemingly negative? It relates that Joseph dies and they bury him in a coffin in Mitzraim. Also, why does the Torah begin with the creation of the world rather than about mitzvahs? Rashi tells us that if the nations complain about the ownership of Eretz Yisroel, that this teaches us that Hashem has the strength to give the land to whom...

Although Yakov is excited to go down to see Yosef his son before he dies, he is still afraid, because he knows that this means the Golus is about to start. He doesn’t want to establish the Jewish nation in a morally depraved place like Mitzraim. Hashem comes to him and tells him, “Yakov, do not be afraid to go down to Mitzraim, there is a reason for the plan”. Do not worry, you will have all the p...

The miracle of Hanukkah was not only with finding the jug of oil and being able to light the menorah in the Bais Hamikdash lighting up the whole world with positivity. It was also celebrating the victory over the war with the Greeks in miraculous Way. This represents the serving of a Hashem, which is “go away from evil and doing good” the idea is that it’s not only that the going away from evil is...

Is there any part of your personality that opposes the service of Hashem? Dena goes out to meet the daughters of Canaan and she gets abducted. The Torah tells us that she liked to go outside just like her mother, like the phrase “ like mother like daughter”. The question is that if Torah doesn’t talk negatively about anything, even a non-kosher animal, why is there a negative association here? The...

Although the Avos kept the whole Torah before it was given,Yakov Avinu married two sisters, because at that time it wasn’t considered a negative mitzvah, just a stringency. At that time, since society deemed honesty as a fundamental behavior, and since Yakov had promised Rachel that he would marry her, that vow had the power of a mitzvah. Marrying two sisters was only considered a stringency at th...

There are two types of characteristics: one is kindness, giving in abundance, and one is strength, limiting the amount you give. These characteristics actually reflect the way you physically look. Avraham Avenu was the epitome of kindness while Yitzchak represented strength. Hashem changed Yitzchok’s features to be similar to Avraham Avenu because of the scoffers in the generation who didn’t belie...

Our Teffillos are answered quicker than other times depending on two factors: 1. Our closeness and oneness with Hashem 2. Our goal to merge the physical and spiritual worlds Three examples of individuals who were answered right away: 1. Moshe Rabbeinu davened that Hashem show him that He rests his holiness on humans 2.Shlomo haMelech asked that the Shachina should rest on the Bais haMikdash again-...

The mitzvah of visiting the sick is a big mitzvah. Hashem visits Avraham Avinu on the third day following his bris - the time when a person naturally heals. It is known that when you visit another, you take away some of their sickness. Therefore, one doesn’t visit on the first two days, because the idea of a mitzvah, especially from after Matan Torah, was that the holiness of a mitzvah should pene...

The difference between an employee and the agent is that an employee works together with the employer or at least with his possessions. Also, an employee is primarily focused on himself. He gets the job because he has to take care of his family. A Shliach/agent on the other hand, is sent far away and is actually representing/replacing the person that sends him. This is the difference between the m...