Parasha with dAvId Saltzman

This podcast explores Moses' request to God for a new leader of the Israelite nation, focusing on the desired qualities for this successor.  Moses's plea emphasizes the need for a leader who understands and tolerates the diverse individual natures of the people , referring to God as "God of the spirits" to highlight this need for a leader who can connect with and accommodate each...

This shiur focuses on the phrases, "And Moab was afraid of the people," and "and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel." These diverse interpretations from various commentators and midrashic texts explore the nuances of "was afraid" and "was distressed," with some attributing Moab's fear to Israel's vast numbers, while others suggest...

We discuss two distinct historical events: the Hamas surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and interpretations of a biblical passage concerning the death of Aaron and a subsequent attack by the King of Arad. 

See Source Here We analyze a biblical narrative concerning a plague and Aharon's role in stopping it.  Multiple commentators examine God's command to Moshe and Aharon's swift action , particularly the use of incense.  Rashi suggests that Aharon was given a secret to stop the plague, or that the use of incense demonstrated it was not inherently deadly, but rather sin that caused death.   Other sour...

Source Sheet Here This Shiur explores the concept of  Divine forgiveness , focusing on its meaning and implications in the context of the Israelites' journey from Egypt. Various commentators, including  Ibn Ezra ,  Ramban ,  R' Y.S. Riggio ,  Rashar Hirsch , and  Prof. Isaac Mozeson , analyze the Hebrew word  "סלח" (salach) , often translating it as letting go, extending patience...

Source sheet here This Shiur is an exegetical analysis  of the biblical passage concerning the Israelites' "murmuring" ( כְּמִתְאֹנְנִים ) in Numbers 11. The commentators  explore the precise meaning of this term , debating whether it refers to a baseless accusation, suffering due to travel, or a rejection of God's plan, with some sources, like Rashi and Midrash Aggadah, suggesting it implies seek...

These commentaries  explore the meaning of the Priestly Blessing , particularly the initial phrase, " May the Lord bless you and keep you ." Different interpretations are offered, with some focusing on  blessings related to material possessions and physical well-being , and the need for divine protection to  guard these blessings from loss or harm , both physical and spiritual. Other interpretatio...

We discuss the meaning of the phrase  "מִמׇּחֳרַת הַשַּׁבָּת"  (the morrow of the Shabbat) in Leviticus 23, which dictates the timing of the Omer offering and the counting of fifty days to Shavuot. Various interpretations are presented: the  Karaite perspective  argues it refers to the day after the weekly Shabbat, resulting in a flexible date for Shavuot and an overlap with the Festival of Unleav...

See source sheet here We discuss the concept of  קֶרִי  in the context of one's relationship with God. Commentaries explore the meaning of  קֶרִי , interpreting it primarily as an attitude of treating divine matters as incidental or a posture of obstinacy, rather than a consistent, deliberate way of life. The texts explain that acting with  קֶרִי  involves a lack of willingness to truly heed d...

See sources here These texts discuss a  biblical account  from Leviticus concerning the  son of an Israelite woman and an Egyptian man  who  quarreled  with an Israelite and subsequently  cursed God . Various  rabbinic commentators  offer different interpretations of the man's origins, the reasons for the quarrel, and the event's significance. Some suggest the man was the  son of the Egypt...

See source here We discuss the interpretation of a verse from Leviticus regarding not hating another in one's heart and the commandment to rebuke one's neighbor. Several commentators explain that  hiding hatred in the heart is a severe transgression , and the appropriate response to a neighbor's transgression is  rebuke . However, they emphasize that this  rebuke must be delivered prop...

See the source sheet here We explore the concept of  tzara'at , often translated as leprosy, not as a natural disease but as a  divine sign or warning . The  Talmud  lists seven sins, with  slander  being particularly emphasized, that can cause  tzara'at  to appear. The  Rambam  clarifies that  tzara'at  can manifest on  people, clothing, and houses , acting as a miraculous signal spec...

See the source sheet here This shiur focuses on a pivotal moment in the inauguration of the Mishkan, focusing on  two instances of blessing the people  by Aaron and then by both Moses and Aaron, as described in Leviticus 9. Commentators debate the nature of Aaron's initial blessing, whether it was the established Priestly Blessing or a different one, and explore why Moses joined in the second bles...

See sources here These meforshim discuss the  Ten Plagues  brought upon Egypt, examining their  purpose and patterns . Some commentators explore the  grouping of the plagues , suggesting different sequences and reasons for their specific order and severity, like a gradual escalation. Others focus on the  divine intention  behind the plagues, considering whether they were primarily punitive or desi...

See source hereThe biblical command "צו" (tzav) in Leviticus 6:2, which instructs Aaron and his sons regarding the burnt offering. Commentaries like Rashi explain "צו" as a call to zealousness, especially where financial loss ("chisaron kees") is a concern. This concern is debated among the sources, with some suggesting it relates to the Kohanim receiving only the animal's hide, potentia...

See sources here Various commentaries explore the meaning and significance of this commandment, interpreting "salt of your covenant" in diverse ways. Some view salt as a symbol of the enduring nature of the covenant between God and Israel, while others connect it to the idea of purification and the engagement of the physical world in spiritual service. Later halakhic texts discuss the co...

Source sheet here These sources discuss the verse in Exodus where Moses blesses the Israelites after they complete the Tabernacle. Rashi interprets the blessing as a prayer for God's presence to dwell in their work, referencing a Psalm attributed to Moses. Ohr Hachaim emphasizes the significance of Moses himself bestowing the blessing. R' Hirsch sees the blessing as a recognition of their...

See the source sheet here The provided texts explore the identity and actions of the נְּשִׂיאִם (chieftains/leaders) during the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and their subsequent roles. Initially, some sources suggest they hesitated to contribute to the Mishkan's materials, assuming they would fill any shortages, which was seen negatively and resulted in a missing letter from their...

Source Sheet here The podcast discusses Chapter 10 of the Book of Esther, focusing on Achashverosh's taxation, Mordechai's representation, and various commentaries on the text. The podcast raises questions and offers interpretations about why the story ends with the taxation detail, Mordechai's role, the descriptions of Mordechai, and the different terms used for the Jewish people. Key...

Source sheet here This podcast discusses the meaning and significance of the phrase "V'yikchu Eleicha" (ויקחו אליך), which translates to "and they shall take to you," in the context of the oil for the menorah in the Tabernacle. It explores why the Torah specifies that the oil should be brought "to you" (Moses), and what the deeper meaning of this commandment is. T...

Source sheet here The provided texts primarily discuss the construction and significance of the Menorah in the Tabernacle.  They explore the difficulties Moses faced in understanding its design, attributing it to the Menorah's unique requirement of being made from a single piece of gold.  Commentaries suggest that God revealed the Menorah's design through various means, including divine de...

See source here The provided texts analyze the biblical passage concerning a thief entering a home (Exodus 22:1-2), focusing on interpretations of key phrases like "במחתרת" (breaking in), "אין לו דמים" (no blood is on him), and "אם זרחה השמש עליו" (if the sun has risen on him). Various commentators, including Rashi, Ibn Ezra, Rashbam, Shadal, and R. David Zvi Hoffmann...

Source Sheet here These excerpts explore the multifaceted meanings of the Hebrew word shalom (שלום) and its root, Shalem (שלם). The texts analyze instances of shalom in the Book of Exodus (Shemot), particularly focusing on Yitro's farewell to Moshe and his advice on establishing a judicial system. Various commentators present different interpretations of shalom in these contexts, ranging from a si...

Source Sheet here These pesukim from Beshalach discuss God's command for the Jews to backtrack and encamp near specific locations like Pi-hahiroth and Baal-zephon, analyzing the reasons behind this strategic maneuver. Various explanations are offered, including deceiving Pharaoh into thinking the Israelites were lost and emphasizing God's power over Egyptian idols. 

Source Sheet Here The provided text consists of excerpts from Shemot, focusing on God granting favor (חן) to the Israelites in the eyes of the Egyptians. Various commentaries debate the nature of this favor, exploring whether it was a divinely inspired change of heart, a strategic manipulation, or a combination of both. The commentaries also discuss Moses's significant stature (גָּדוֹל מְאֹד)...