Category: Jews

  • The Universality of Tishri

    פרשת וזאת הברכה / י”ד בתשרי תשפ”ג

    It is fitting that Sukkot is in Tishri since it represents the universality of the Jewish people, unlike Pesach which represents our nationhood.

  • God Wants Actions, Not Words

    פרשת האזינו / ח’ בתשרי תשפ”ג

    The key to the Yom Kippur service is that we read the Book of Jonah at Minha on that day. Jonah is called upon to announce to the Assyrians that they have to repent. When recounting the story, the Book of Jonah does not talk about their prayers but about their actions.

  • Are Your Ancestors Proud of You?

    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.

  • The Reason for the 9th of Av

    פרשת דברים / ו’ באב תשפ”ב

    When we look at the literature of the 9th of Av, we notice that the Romans and Babylonians are barely mentioned. The real reason for the disaster is placed on the bad moral and ethical behavior of the Jews.

  • The Importance of Good Neighbors

    פרשת מטות-מסעי / כ”ח בתמוז תשפ”ב

    In this week’s portion the Jews receive the command to expel the Canaanites from the Land of Israel. The reason is that they are considered to be bad people and their influence on the Jews would lead the Jews to sin.

  • What is a Leader?

    פרשת פנחס / כ”א בתמוז תשפ”ב

    In this week’s portion we learn the difference between real leadership and a leader that follows the crowd. Pinchas was not yet chosen to be leader but had a moral compass. Zimri had inherited his position as leader of the Tribe of Shimon and had no moral compass. Zimri thought he could get away with violating the law flagrantly due to his family’s influence. He was mistaken and paid with his life.

  • Destroying the Jews from Within

    פרשת בלק / ט”ז בתמוז תשפ”ב

    When he realizes that cursing the Jews from the outside will not work so long as the Jews are moral, Balak sends women into the camp to make the Jew immoral. The plan works. Zimri carries out his immorality in full view of the people. This was the downfall.

  • Respect Your Neighbor’s Privacy

    פרשת בלק / י”ג בתמוז תשפ”ב

    One of the observations of Balaam was how the tents of the Jews in the wilderness were set up so that one could not see into another. The entrances were adjusted for this purpose. The Torah is teaching us that we must respect each other’s privacy.

  • The Roots Of Jew Hatred

    פרשת בלק / י”א בתמוז תשפ”ב

    In this week’s portion Balaam is the main character but it is named after Balak. The reason for this is that while Balaam does most of the work, he does so at the behest of Balak. Balaam is simply a hired gun. The reason that Balak hates the Jews is simply he hates God centered morality.

  • The Cure for Ingratitude

    פרשת חקת / ט’ בתמוז תשפ”ב

    When the well that was following the Jews in the wilderness dried up after the death of Miriam the people complained that they had a better life in Egypt. What is amazing is that the people complaining were born after they left Egypt. They were totally taken care of by God. They did not have to earn their food. They were not grateful for all that God gave them.