פרשת ניצבים / כ”ו באלול תשפ”ב
It is interesting to note that it is not enough for one to say that they are sorry for their sins. They have to first recognize their mistake and repent for it. The apology has to be heartfelt. That all our Biblical leaders were flawed but they overcame their flaws.
פרשת ניצבים / כ”ה באלול תשפ”ב
One of the worst forms of idolatry is the belief in ideology. Even when that ideology proves false people will believe it. All the people who believed that the Russian Communist Revolution would bring an era of peace to the world were disappointed when this did not happen. Those who approach problems without an ideology seem to come up with real solutions.
פרשת ניצבים / כ”ד באלול תשפ”ב
The admonition not be like the idol worshipers of Egypt was to stress that our leaders are not like the Pharoah. He was considered to be a god. Our leaders are human and should be treated as such.
פרשת ניצבים / כ”ג באלול תשפ”ב
The Torah mentions that not only were adults present at Moses’s admonitions but that their children were there as well. Why was this so important? To show that it is important that children see how important it is to the adults. Children are sponges. They observe everything. If they see it is important for their parents, then it is important to them.
פרשת ניצבים / כ”ב בלול תשפ”ב
When Moses speaks to the people, he speaks to all of the people. This shows that in Judaism we can achieve greatness through our efforts. No matter how we start we can achieve great things. We are equal when we start. Where we finish is up to us.
פרשת כי תבוא / כ’ באלול תשפ”ב
We are commanded to be better people. The Torah does not care about our feelings but about our behavior. We make the world a better place by our actions, not our intent.
פרשת כי תבוא / י:ט באלול תשפ”ב
In Pirkei Avot it states that we should know three things to avoid sin: Know where you came from, a putrid drop; know where you are going, a place of worms; and before whom you will be judged, the Holy One blesssed be He. To teach us that we might not think we are important but to God we are.
פרשת כי תבוא / י”ח באלול תשפ”ב
There is a debate which is more important: Doing the commandments or being spiritual. The Jerusalem Talmud addressed this debate in the 3rd Century CE and concludes that your actions are more important than your beliefs therefore we should follow the commandments even if we do not believe in God.
פרשת כי תבוא / י”ז באלול תשפ”ב
Many people go on genealogy sites to see who their ancestors were and are proud of them. The question that the Torah asks is would they be proud of you. Live your life so that they would be.
פרשת כי תבוא / ט”ז באלול תשפ”ב
This week’s portion starts with the commandment to bring tithes to the Temple. When this is done the person bringing the tithes makes a declaration of how grateful they are. This is one of the most important lessons that we can teach. We should all be grateful for the blessings that God has bestowed on us.