Category: Uncategorized

  • Humility To Do The Job At Hand

    Hiram of Tyre was chosen to be in charge of building the Temple. He came from a low status, but he was chosen due to his wisdom and ability. This teaches us that we should earn honor through merit.

  • Creating Community

    One of the purposes of the Tabernacle was to create community among the Jews. Once people see themselves as a community then they will take care of each other.

  • Wisdom and Humility

    Bezalel was chosen to build the Tabernacle because of his wisdom and humility. He knew that Oholiab had abilities that he did not and that he had abilities that Oholiab did not. But together they could do a great job.

  • Giving Within The Limits

    In this week’s Torah portion donations were given to the Tabernacle. The donations were so great that Moses had more than enough. This is a trait of a Torah based society that they are willing to give more than is necessary. This is why the Torah places limits on how much one can give.

  • The Importance of Keeping Shabbat

    The Torah emphasizes the importance of keeping the Shabbat. When we read what is prohibited to do on Shabbat realize that there is something much deeper than just not working.

  • Hubris Before the Downfall

    Haman was the most powerful man in the world during the story of Purim. But he could not get over the fact that Mordecai knew that he really was nothing. Haman was full of hubris and that was his downfall.

  • God Directs This World

    It is clear in the Megillah that God is directing the action. While He is not mentioned explicitly, we can see His hand in the action.

  • Survival Is Not Enough

    The reason that we do not say Hallel on Purim is that the status of Jews did not change in the story. They were subjects of Achashverosh at the beginning of the story and at the end. The only thing that changed was that they survived.

  • Stand Up To Evil

    Mordecai could have bowed to Haman. But he knew that would be wrong thing to do at that time. We learn from this that we are obligated to stand up to evil.

  • Leaving Egypt Spiritually

    The episode of the Golden Calf is amazing. These were witnesses to the actual Exodus, they crossed the Sea of Reeds. They were at Mount Sinai. Yet they built an idol to worship. It should be remembered that the hard part was to get Egypt out of the Jews.