Author: Shlomo Bar-Ayal

  • Give What You Can

    Moses called for donations to the building of the Tabernacle. The Jews gave so much that he had to ask them to stop giving. This is the nature of a truly religious people. When asked to give, they give.

  • We Are God’s Vessels

    The reason that the Jews built the Golden Calf was that they thought that without Moses that they would not have been redeemed. The lesson is that our leaders are vessels for God. They succeed when they do what God expects.

  • Shabbat & The Tabernacle

    After giving the instructions concerning the building of the Tabernacle, God reminds the Jewish people of the importance of keeping the Sabbath. This so that we remember why we have the Tabernacle.

  • Our Talents Are From God

    Betzalel was chosen to fashion the tools of the Tabernacle. His name means “In the shadow of God.” This is to teach us that our talents, be they what they are, are from God.

  • Our God Given Rights

    The sin of the Golden Calf was that it assumes that our rights come from a man. The Torah is pointing out that our rights are God given. That they cannot be taken away by the government.

  • The Torah is Our Rule & Guide

    The story of the Golden Calf seems to be out of place. It should have been recorded after the events at Mt. Sinai. This is to teach us that the Torah is more interested in our actions rather than beliefs.

  • Bells Against Malicious Gossip

    Malicious gossip is detrimental to both the speaker and the listener. The whole purpose is to bring down the subject. Instead of trying to build themselves up and improve they want to tear down.

  • Our Leaders Are To Serve

    The purpose of the shew-bread was to remind the priests that their job was to serve the rest of the people. That they should be prideful of their position.

  • The US & the Birth of Israel

    The Vilna Gaon looked at the US & understood that a Jew could become president. To him this meant the beginning of the redemption. So he sent his top students to Israel to begin the process of rebuilding the land.

  • The Torah Is Not Up For A Vote

    While a republican form of government is considered the best, there are some things that are not up to a vote. Torah Law is one of them.