The final pasuk of our parasha is somewhat difficult to understand: “Moses spoke to the children of Israel in accordance with all that the L-rd had commanded Moses.” (Sefer Bamidbar 30:1) …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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7/28/16
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The first of our two parshiot (Matot and Masei) contains a rather quizzical pasuk: “Eleazar the kohen said to the soldiers returning from battle, ‘This is the statute that the L-rd …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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8/4/16
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According to the first passage on our parasha, Hashem gave all the nations of the world the same opportunities and potential for leadership. This is based upon the notion that G-d’s actions …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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7/20/16
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The end of our parasha contains a very difficult narrative in which Miriam and Aaron speak against their beloved brother, Moses:
Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses regarding the Cushite woman he …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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6/22/16
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One of the best-known passages in our parsha, and the entire Torah, is that of Birkat Kohanim:
“The L-rd spoke to Moses saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying: This is how you shall …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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6/16/16
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Parashat Bechukotai presents shalom as one of the greatest rewards that we will receive when we live lives dedicated to Hashem’s holy Torah:
“And I will grant peace in the Land, and …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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6/1/16
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Sefer Vayikra is the sole book in the Tanach in which the phrase “v’yarata m’elokecha” (“and you shall fear your G-d”) is found. It appears three times in Parashat …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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5/25/16
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One of the most unusual textual juxtapositions in parasha Emor occurs at the onset of the Torah’s discussion of the mo’adim (festivals) (Vayikra, chapter 23): “And the L-rd spoke to …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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5/18/16
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Rabbi Chiya, in Midrash Vayikra Rabbah 24:5, teaches us that our parasha was taught to the entire nation (b’hakhal) “since the majority of the Torah’s fundamental principles may be …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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5/10/16
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The prohibition of imbibing blood is one of the well-known mitzvot found in our parasha (Vayikra 17:10-11). In it we find the unusual expression, v’natati panai, which is explained by both …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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5/4/16
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