There are many intricate rules concerning the construction of a succah that are presented in the Gemara and codified by the poskim. Rav Yosef Karo, author of the Shulchan Aruch, states in Orech …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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10/1/20
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Our parasha, Vaera, contains five instances of the term, “taida — that you know,” as found in the context of the eser makkot (10 Plagues). The Ramban (Nachmanides, 1194-1270) …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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1/22/20
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The Torah is an incredibly rich work of interwoven thoughts and ideas. While this is true in general, I believe it is particularly the case regarding Sefer Devarim. Our parasha, Eikev, contains a …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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8/6/20
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Our parasha, Balak, contains one of the most famous pesukim in the Torah: “How goodly are your tents, O Yaakov, your dwelling places, O Yisrael!” (Bamidbar 24:5). Basing himself on Bava …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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6/27/18
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T he best-known pasuk in our parasha, Terumah, is this: “And they shall make Me a sanctuary (mikdash) and I will dwell in their midst.” It is followed by many verses that specify every …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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2/14/24
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The final verses of our parasha focus upon the mitzvah of building a stone altar for the purpose of bringing korbanot (offerings) in the service of Hashem: “And when you make for Me an …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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1/27/16
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Rosh Chodesh is the topic of this week’s additional Torah reading: “The L-rd spoke to Moses and to Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying: ‘This month shall be to you the head of the …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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4/6/16
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Birkat Ya’akov, the Blessing of Jacob, is the most celebrated narrative of our parasha, Vayechi. It contains Jacob’s hope-filled and prophetically inspired blessing to ten of his sons. In …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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1/11/17
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Although our parasha, Ki Tisa, contains numerous themes, it is preeminently associated with the Chet Haegel (the Sin of the Golden Calf). How could our ancestors could have participated in such a …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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2/28/18
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Our parasha contains a crucial narrative in the lives of the Avot — a famine in the Land of Israel, and Yitzchak’s initial desire to follow in his father’s footsteps and travel …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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11/7/18
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