Our sefer and parasha, Devarim, begin with the celebrated pasuk: “These are the words (aleh hadevarim) which Moshe spoke to all of the Jewish people on that side of the Jordan in the … more

The beginning of our parasha, Toldos, focuses on Yitzchak and Rivka. Unfortunately, like Sarah and Rachel, Rivka was initially unable to conceive: And Yitzchak prayed to … more

The first mishnah in Pirkei Avot cites a statement from the Anshei Kenesset HaGadolah, a group of sixth century BCE jurists that constitute one of the crucial links in shalshelet hakabbalah (the … more

Our natural inclination at this time of the year is to focus upon the phrase zecher l’yetziat Mitzrayim — a reminder of the Exodus from Egypt. After all, one of the major mitzvot of … more

Both our parasha and Parashat Korach contain an expression that refers to Hashem’s unique knowledge of mankind: “the G-d of the spirits of all flesh” (Bamidbar 16:22 and … more

One of the better-known sections of our parasha, Ki Tavo, consists of the brachot v’k’lallot, the blessings for keeping the mitzvot of the Torah and the curses for failing to fulfill … more

L ike much of sefer Vayikra, our parasha, Tzav, focuses on the korbanot . Accordingly, the second verse presents the mitzvah of the korban olah: “Command ( tzav ) Aharon and his sons, … more

The beginning of parashat Behar focuses on the mitzvah of Shemittah: “And the L-rd spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel and you shall say to them: … more

The end of last week’s parasha, Balak, narrates the story in which many of the men of our people pursued the women of Moab and their god Baal Peor. Zimri ben Salu, prince of the tribe of … more

Parashat Yisro is preeminently the parasha of the Asseret Hadibrot (the Ten Statements). The first of these dibrot begins with the famous words, “Anochi Hashem Elokecha (I am the L-rd your … more