On the Shabbat preceding Purim (tomorrow morning) we read a special portion of the Torah called “Parshat Zachor”, which speaks about the obligation to wipe out the memory of Amalek. It is a Torah commandment to hear this portion read in the synagogue every year. Our Sages teach that the numerical value of “Amalek” is equal to the word “Safek”, which means doubt. By being the first to attack to the Jewish nation after their exodus of Egypt, Amalek sowed doubt into their hearts, by showing that they were susceptible to the same trails and tribulations like any other...
Blog Archives
Terumah
I heard a beautiful dvar torah at the Chabad center in Eilat on parshat Terumah, in the name of the Lubavitcher Rebbe ZT”L, that I’d like to share. Why does the Torah spend so much time discussing the building of a mishkan that would only be relevant in the wilderness? The Torah is teaching us that it is possible for man to create holiness out of nothing, in a place totally devoid of holiness, by contributing his time, talent, and wealth. Wherever we find ourselves, no matter how desolate of spirituality and holiness the place is, we have the...
Parshat Yitro – Making of a Leader
I’ve often wondered, why didn’t Moshe’s children play a role in the leadership of the Jewish People? I think the answer can be found in this parsha, which begins with the words, “And Yitro heard.” According to the Midrash, cited by Rashi, Yitro heard about the miracle of the splitting of the sea, and the victory over Amalek. According to other commentators, the entire portion relating to him actually took place after the Jews received the Torah, making that one of the things he heard. Yitro brought with him Moshe’s wife and two sons, who had been sent back...
Parshat Bo – The Big Difference
The Torah and the Sages teach that the Jews were spared the hardships of the plagues. For example, while the Egyptian was stricken with boils the Jew standing beside him was completely healthy. The final plague, however, presented a different scenario. God tells Moses to tell the Jews to place the blood of the slaughtered paschal lamb on the doorposts of their homes as a sign for Him to pass over them when smiting the first born of Egypt. It follows that those Jews who chose not to place this sign upon their doors were smitten along with the...
Shabbat Bo
In this week’s parsha, Bo, Moshe demands that Pharaoh let the Jews out to worship God. When Pharaoh asks who would go, Moshe tells him everyone, men women, children, and even their animals. Pharaoh accuses Moshe of trying to “pull a fast one”, and agrees to release only the men, for only they worship. Was Moshe, in fact, trying to trick Pharaoh? Not at all. Moshe was teaching Pharoah that everyone can connect with, and serve, the Divine, each in their own unique way. Yes, even animals serve God, usually with the help of man. This is a fundamental...
Chanukah-Counting Money
In its discussion about the laws of Chanukah, the Talmud states that it is forbidden to use the light of the menorah to count one’s money, for doing so denigrates the importance of the mitzvah of the lights. This halacha teaches us a very deep lesson. Chanukah teaches us that miracles do happen. God is in control of our destinies, not us. Just the other night, sitting in front of the menorah, I started worrying about my own financial situation. How was I going to take control of my financial destiny? It’s all totally in my hands, right? Then...
The Spiritual Chamber
Last night, after visiting a new age type shop in Dizengoff Center (TA), I had an idea. Wouldn’t it be great if we had a room in the house that was totally decorated for “spirituality”? It would have candles and incense, hanging beads on the doors and windows, dim colored lighting, cusions on the floor for sitting, tibetan artifacts and music…use your own imagination to complete the picture. It would be awesome! A spiritual chamber from where we could beam ourselves up to the highest reaches of the cosmic universe. Then I realized that Judaism teaches something very different....
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