פרשת שמיני / י”ח באדר ב’ תשפ”ב
Aaron’s sons assumed that they would inherit their father’s position as priests of the nation. They took certain liberties in their actions. That is said to be one of the reasons that they were consume by a “strange fire”. According to the Torah, you have to earn your position. It is not just handed to you.
פרשת ויקהל / כ”א באדר א’ תשפ”ב
The Torah again stresses how the Cohenim (Priests) should be attired while working in the Tabernacle. Why does it stress the physical? This is to teach us that when we should dress appropriately when we are in a holy place. And that when we visit such a place it should be an experience for us.
פרשת ויקהל / כ’ באדר א’ תשפ”ב
The leaders of the tribes were punished because they hesitated to donate to the Tabernacle. They felt that they would wait and see what would be needed after the people donated. The people donated so much that their donations were not needed. The Torah points out that a leader has to lead by example.
פרשת ויקהל / י”ט באדר א’ תשפ”ב
Before the Torah gives the instructions how to actually build the Tabernacle it makes mention of Shabbat. This is to teach us that observance of Shabbat overrides the building of the Tabernacle.
פרשת כי תישה / י”ז באדר א’ תשפ”ב
Moses is considered to be the humblest man who ever lived. While he knew that he was a leader, he did not realize how his leadership influenced others. He was unaware his face glowed. How could someone so important no know this?
פרשת כי תישה / ט”ו באדר א’ תשפ”ב
After witnessing the greatest miracles man had ever seen the Israelites chose to worship an idol that they had created rather than God who performed the miracles. This is perhaps the real reason that the Jews were punished, they refused to believe reality.
פרשת תצוה / ח’ באדר א’ תשפ”ב
The way that the Kohanim, (priest), presented themselves had to do with making the Mishkan, (Tabernacle), special to the average Jew coming to bring his Korban, (sacrifice). By making it an event we are avoiding making it mundane or common.
פרשת תצוה / ו’ באדר א’ תשפ”ב
The breastplate sits on the High Priest heart to remind him to feel the pain of those who are suffering as well as the joy of those who succeed in life.
פרשת תרומה / ג’ באדר א’ תשפ”ב
When Moses is shown the prototype of the Menorah for the Tabernacle, he notices that it is engulfed in flame. This is to teach us to approach being Jewish with a lust, not to be robots.
פרשת תרומה / ב’ באדר ’ תשפ”ב
As we enter the month of Adar, we should remember that no matter what problems that we have the best way to approach them is with happiness. That is the best way to avoid depression.