Meaningful Ideas on the Parsha

The last Mitzvah Moshe does for the Jewish people at the end of Bamidbar is setting aside the Arei Miklat. Why is protecting killers a top priority, especially since they wouldn't provide protection until Yehoshua set aside the other three inside EY? Why can't a Rotzeach leave if Klal Yisrael needs him? Have a good Shabbos

Chazal teach that in some ways Kalev was greater than Yehoshua. The Midrash says Yehoshua was chosen because he served Moshe more than anyone else, including setting up the benches and mats in the Bais Medrash. Why was that a zechus to become the next leader? Have a good Shabbos

Chazal tell us that those who rule over their Yetzer tell us the secret is to make a cheshbon. The Mesillas Yesharim expounds on the idea that this is the only way we can be successful, even if we do many things for our Avodas Hashem. Some thoughts from Rav Moshe Shternbach about the importance of cheshbon, and how we are judged and written every night. Have a good Shabbos

The story of Korach is the prime example in the Torah of machlokes. Why is Machlokes so severe, that even the babies of Dasan and Aviram were killed, that all their money was destroyed? How we differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate machlokes? Wishing you a wonderful Shabbos.

The story of the Mekoshesh is placed next to the parsha of Tzitzis to teach that Shabbos is as valuable as all the Mitzvos. Chazal tell us that the Mekoshesh had noble intentions, but he was still stoned to death for being Mechallel Shabbos. Some thoughts on the value of Shabbos and how seriously we must view it. Have a good Shabbos

The Parsha has the story of Pesach Sheini, where those who were tamei mes on Pesach complained that they missed the chance to bring the Korban, and Moshe asked Hashem and was told they could make it up on 14 Iyaar. Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz asked why Hashem made them ask first, why not just teach it to Moshe initially? Some ideas from the Ramban and the Ramchal about Tefilah and why we need to ask in...

Hi, The Torah puts the parshiyos of Nazir and Sotah next to each other to teach that one who sees the Sotah process should take on Nezirus from wine. Why does seeing the Sotah make one have more of a need than anyone else to become a Nazir? Some ideas in both the influences and inspirations we can take from our surroundings. Have a good Shabbos

The Torah introduces the sons of Aharon as the offspring of Aharon and Moshe. Why would they be listed as offspring of Moshe? Why are talmidei yeshiva referred to as Bnei HaYeshiva? Have a good Shabbos

The Issur of Onaas Mamon, to overcharge or underpay someone is sandwiched in the middle of the parsha that is discussing the halachos of Shemitah and property going back to its original owners at Yovel. Is there a relationship between the Bitachon keeping Shemitah dictates, and one being careful not to rip people off? Includes a perspective on Hishtadlus that Rav Elchonon Wasserman shared with Rav...

The Torah says we start counting Sefirah from the day after Shabbos. Chazal said it means the day after Yom Tov, the Tzedokim said it means the Sunday after Pesach. Why did the Torah write it that way, and why did the Tzedokim hire false witnesses and the like to pick this specific battle? Have a good Shabbos 

The Chassidim say that learning the Ohr Hachaim is a segula for many things, and that all the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov can be found within the Ohr HaChaim. The Skver Rebbe encourages his chassidim to learn and review this Ohr HaChaim in 18:3-4 about the importance of guarding ourselves in the area of morality and intimacy. May Hashem help us protect ourselves and come to kedusha. Have a wond...

The Parsha speaks about Tzaraas, which is often caused by Lashon Hara, which often has it's roots in Gaavah. Some insights into arrogance, ayin tovah, and the power of words from Rav Pam Zt"l. Have a good Shabbos

In the days before Pesach, we need to focus on thanking Hashem for the miracles of Yetzias Mitzrayim, and for the bracha in our lives. Why does the Korban Todah have less time to eat it than other Korban Shelamim, especially if it has forty loaves of bread to go with it? Have a good Shabbos and a Chag Kasher V'Sameach

The Torah introduces Karbanos and switches from the singular to the plural form within the second pasuk. Why the switch? The Alshich explains that when we sin, it affects all of us, so the Kaparah we bring is also for all of us. Kol Yisrael Areivim Zeh Lazeh and how we all affect each other. Have a good Shabbos

The Torah isolates the Issur of lighting a fire on Shabbos. Why is it singled out from all the other 39 Melachos? Halachic and Mussar ideas Chazal teach about this Mitzvah. Have a good Shabbos

The Jewish people were counted after the Chet Haegel, through hal-shekels rather than by heads. One reason in the Pasuk why they used coins was so it could be a Kaparah for them, through the Zechus HaTzedakah. Another reason was to avoid the risk of plague that comes with counting individuals. Exploring ideas in Tzedakah, Ayin HaRah and Achdus Yisrael. Have a wonderful Shabbos

Tetzaveh is the only Parsha outside Sefer Bereishis missing the name of Moshe. The Zohar says it was a fulfillment of what Moshe said at the Chet HaEgel, "Erase me from Your Sefer." Was the fulfilment of this a punishment? Some thoughts from Rav Moshe Shternbach on sacrificing Ruchniyus for the sake of our Jewish brethren. Have a good Shabbos, and a Frielichen Purim

The Aharon Kodesh was gold on the inside and outside. Chazal say it represents the nature of a Talmid Chacham, that the inside has to be as pure as the outside. May the Torah help us transform our character as well. Have a good Shabbos

Why does the Torah say one should feed Treifos to the dogs specifically? Is the Torah teaching us mercy for dogs? Why does the Yerushalmi say there is a punishment for depriving the dogs? Have a good Shabbos

Bchasdei Hashem I was zoche to have a bechor this past Sunday. Found a little time to record a quick piece on Kibud Av Vaeim. May we continue to share in Simchas together. Have a good Shabbos

When the Bnei Yisrael were at the Yam Suf, Chazal tell us we were being judged whether to be saved, or to be destroyed with the Mitzriyim. How could Hashem have destroyed them at that time, what would have been the point of all the miracles of Mitzrayim? Does it put more pressure on us when we are saved with the Midas HaRachamim, as opposed to the Midas Hadin? Have a Good Shabbos

The Parsha starts off saying that we should tell our children and grandchildren how Hashem made a mockery of Mitzrayim? In what ways did Hashem make a mockery of Mitzrayim and of Pharaoh, and what were the reasons for doing it in that fashion? Have a good Shabbos 

Why did Moshe Rabbeinu came from a marriage that would later be forbidden by the Torah? Chizkuni explains based on Yoma 22b that a leader of the Tzibbur needs to have a basket of Sheratzim hanging from them to keep them humble. Lessons in humility and why Hashem gives us our life situations in the way that He does. Have a Good Shabbos

The Torah says the king of Mitzrayim died and then they cried out in pain. Why did that cause them to cry out, according to those who learn that he actually died? Was the crying in prayer to Hashem, or were the cries of suffering themselves a source of merit for us?

The Sefarim tell us that the Asara Harugei Malchus were a punishment for the sale of Yosef. But Yosef's brothers asked him for forgiveness? Was he mochel them, and if not why not? And why were there ten martyrs if only nine of the brothers were involved in the sale? Have a good Shabbos.