What is better – to see something in its entirety, or to experience a smaller portion of that entity?
This is the debate which winds itself through the commentaries on Devarim 34, as …
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By Rabbi Avi Billet
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10/1/15
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The song of Haazinu is quite poetic, complete with imagery that invites the most lyrical interpretation.
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By Rabbi Avi Billet
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9/28/12
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By Rabbi Avi Billet
Issue of Jan. 23, 2009 / 27 Tevet 5769
It’s that time of year again when the Jews have a chance to revel over and relish in the way G-d “stuck it to those Egyptians” …
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1/21/09
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The prophet Malachi presents a scenario when the G-d-fearing public presents its goodness to G-d, in contrast to the wicked who felt it was worthless to serve G-d. “At that time, the God-fearing people spoke to one another. G-d listened and heard, and a scroll of remembrance was written at His command concerning those who fear God and those who meditate on His Name.” (Malachi 3:16)
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By Rabbi Avi Billet
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11/9/11
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The Talmud in Niddah (31a) records that there are three partners in the creation of every human being: the Holy One, a father, and a mother.
Scientific advancement has allowed the process to include what some might call an “assist” by medical professionals, but everyone’s genetic makeup comes from one male and one female, while G-d’s contribution makes it all come together.
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By Rabbi Avi Billet
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9/3/13
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Why is Chanukah an eight-day holiday? With respect to the eight days being contingent on a miracle of a small amount of oil lasting eight days, there are many answers for the question. But in …
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By Rabbi Avi Billet
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12/24/19
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In the descriptions of three of the elements of the to-be-constructed mishkan, the Torah includes the phrase “as you saw/were shown in the mountain.”
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By Rabbi Avi Billet
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2/23/12
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After the Korach episode, Moshe is told by G-d to tell his nephew Elazar to take the fire pans of those who perished bringing the k’toret, and hammer them out in order for them to become covers …
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By Rabbi Avi Billet
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6/18/15
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Parshat Toldos
by Rabbi Avi Billet
Issue of November 20, 2009/ 3 Cheshvan 5770
One of the fun exercises I like to employ when studying Chumash is to attribute vague or ambiguous statements …
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11/18/09
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Parshat Lech Lekha
By Rabbi Avi Billet
Issue of October 15, 2010, 7 Cheshvan 5771
The word “Tardemah” — an unconscious state — appears only twice in the Torah: Bereishit 2:21 — …
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10/13/10
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