Meaningful Ideas on the Parsha

This Friday of Parshas Chukas has been proclaimed as a day of Tefilah regarding Gezairos against the Torah, and historically it has been a day of fasting for the 24 cartloads of Sefarim burned in France. An explanation from Rav Simcha Zissel Broide why we have a special significance tied to the Friday of this week, and how the day of a Parsha has a root in the Torah that plays out in the world.

Chazal learn the extent of our obligation to heal machlokes from the way Moshe pursued peace with Dathan and Aviram. Lessons from Moshe's perseverance, and from the positive outcomes it produced. Have a good Shabbos

The error of the Meraglim can in part be attributed to a lack in Bitachon that Hashem would help them conquer Eretz Yisrael. Should we be worried that our flaws will prevent Hashem from helping us at times? Does Bitachon dictate being an optimist who expects the best, or just that we learn to roll with the punches knowing He is in charge? Built upon ideas from the Sum Derech and Sefer HaBoteach. H...

We find 3 challenges the Jewish people experience in their march toward EY in this weeks parsha. The approach of Rav Simcha Zissel Broide in understanding the subtle nature of the stories and the critiques. Have a wonderful Shabbos

Why does the Torah repeat the offerings of the 12 Nesiim at length, if it seems to be repetition of the same Karbanos? An approach of Rav Henoch Leibowitz Zt'l, to how and why they found a way to express the individuality and uniqueness of each Shevet, while at the same time allowing for uniformity among all the Shevatim. Have a good Shabbos

Shavuos is a day when we try to grow in Torah, and appreciate how it can transform out lives. A small tribute to my Rebbe Zt"l who personified this, and two unique insights I gained from him about the Torah and the human mind. Have a Chag Kasher V'sameach

The Torah counts us and lists our numbers in the Parsha multiple times. Chazal that explain Hashem treasures us and repeatedly counts us with pride. Can we feel Hashem is proud of us, and can that help us in our Avodas Hashem? Have a good Shabbos

Bechukosai is a Parsha where we talk about the importance of working in Torah and developing a life of connection with the Torah. A surprising connection the Sefer HaChinuch makes to Maasar Behaimah, and what we hope to gain from Yerushalayim. Have a good Shabbos

An explanation from Rav Welcher why they were suddenly misakein an aveilus for the talmidim of Rabbi Akiva a thousand years after their deaths. An approach that it was to give us chizuk in galus. Have a good Shabbos

The Torah tells us property sold in EY goes back at Yovel. Focusing on this idea in the Parsha, that the land is not ours to permanently sell, we are justs guests there. Have a good Shabbos.

Making a Kiddush Hashem and avoiding Chillul Hashem are from the most fundamental Mitzvos we have. The more we represent Hashem and His Torah, as individuals and as a people, the greater our responsibility in this area. Discussion about our responsibilities and our potential for greatness in this area. Have a Wonderful Shabbos.

The Torah gives us a Mitzvah to honor the elder and the Chacham. Exploring some of the Halachos and ideas in the Mitzvah. Have a good Shabbos

The Kohen Gadol only wears white in the Kodesh Kedoshim and not gold, so as not to invoke the memory of the Chet Haegel. So why does he wear gold during the rest of the Yom Kippur service? Differences in how to speak to our fellow Jews, and how we speak about them before Hakadosh Baruch Hu. Have a good Shabbos

On Shevii Shel Pesach we focus on Kriyas Yam Suf, which is mainly about the justice brought upon the Mitzriyiim. This shiur focuses on their appreciation of the individuality of the judgement on different Mitrzriyiim, according to their levels, and what teaches us about Hashem's Hasgacha. Nothing is insignificant before Hashem. Have a Chag Kasher Vsameach

The Seder is one of the foundational elements of building and conveying our Emunah. The more we feel the world is custom made for us, and that what Hashem does to us is personally crafted, the more we can give over that approach to Yetzias Mitzrayim and to our current world. How the Alter of Slobodka brought this out from Yetzias Mitzrayim, how the Chinuch brings it out from the Metzora, and how w...

Chazal say one of the reasons the Metzora goes around calling out that he is Tamei, is so others should daven for him. The Chofetz Chaim explores how this is not simply because he needs help healing, but also because it helps heal him from what causes him to speak Lashon Hara. Some thoughts on how we can build bridges with each other and thereby guard our speech. Have a good Shabbos

When they inaugurated the Mishkan and did the Avodah on the eighth day, initially the Shechina did not descend upon the Mishkan. Rashi says Aharon Hakohen immediately put the blame upon himself, that Hashem must be upset with Him. Some lessons in taking ownership for what goes on in the world.  Have a good Shabbos

The Torah says the Chatas is shechted in the same place as the Olah. Chazal explain it's to protect the sinner, that it shouldn't be clear to all that he is bringing a Chatas. Some lessons in how sensitive we have to be about potentially embarrassing others. Have a good Shabbos.

Why do we bring Karbanos, and what we can learn from them? Why are they one of the three pillars of the world, what can they teach us? Rabbeinu Bechayai and the Chinuch connect it to Kaparah and how it can bring us to Teshuva. The Rosh connects it to keeping us in a good place emotionally and not losing hope.

What did Purim teach us about the way Hashem runs the world in times of concealment? How did Haman convince all the nations to agree to kill the Jews? Why did Purim lead to a new reacceptance of the Torah? Understanding the Chiddush of Purim, and why this salvation was worthy of a new Holiday. A Freilichen Purim

The Seforno explores four components involved in the construction of the Mishkan that ensured it would last eternally. Some thoughts on the importance if doing things right, and how it affects the holiness and long term impact of the mitzvos we do. Have a good Shabbos

It's an honor to share with you a special guest lecture by my good friend Rabbi Baruch Gore. Chazal learn the Issur to carry on Shabbos from this weeks parsha, so it's an appropriate week to share an idea on the topic. Rabbi Gore is the founder of the National Eruv Initiative and works to improve the quality of Eruvin across the country. You can learn more about his work at www. Eruvinitiative.org...

Moshe assembled all the people and taught them about Shabbos and about donating to and building the Mishkan. Why were the instructions about the Mishkan preceded by instructing us about Shabbos? What is the connection between the relationship we have with Hashem through Shabbos, and the relationship we have through the Mishkan? Have a wonderful Shabbos

Chazal teach us that Moshe and the Avos were blessed with tremendous wealth. Yet they also teach us about the dangers of excess wealth, and how it helped lead to the downfall of Korach and Haman, and helped bring about the Chet Haegel. Is wealth a Bracha or a danger? Some perspectives on the double edged sword of money. Have a good Shabbos. 

Chazal tell us the bigdei kehuna provided Kaparah for the Aveiros of the Jewish people. Was this a kaparah for the community, or was it a kaparah for every individual's sins? Some insights on what we lost with the cessation of the Avodah. Have a good Shabbos