The concluding section of our parasha, Chayei Sharah, presents the first narrative of the Yitzchak and Rivka story. In the midst of these pasukim, we encounter a verse that conceals far more than it …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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11/22/19
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Our parasha, Toldot, contains Yitzchak’s celebrated phrase: “Hakol kol Ya’akov v’hayadayim yedei Eisav — The voice is the voice of Ya’akov, but the hands are …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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11/19/20
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The final chapter of Parashat Shemini contains more than 20 pasukim that discuss various aspects of the laws of kashrut. Therein, the Torah gives us general guidelines for determining the status of …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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3/30/16
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The essence of Hashem’s purpose in gifting the Torah to the Jewish people is imparted immediately prior to the Revelation at Mount Sinai:
And now, if you obey Me and keep My …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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4/7/21
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One of the many fascinating aphorisms in the holy Zohar is found in Parashat Naso, 134: “Everything depends upon mazal — even a Sefer Torah that is in the Aron Kodesh.” If we apply …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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12/14/22
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This Sabbath is Shabbat Shuvah, when our spiritual efforts are focused on returning to Hashem. The Rambam’s Hilchot Teshuvah is one of the most celebrated works on teshuvah. Therein, he notes …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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9/20/23
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The five books of the Torah contain four instances of the Hebrew word chalilah (far be it). It appears twice in Parashat Miketz:
“And they [the brothers] said to him [the overseer of …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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12/29/16
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Our parasha, Ki Tavo, contains a statement that poses a distinct exegetical challenge: “This day (hayom hazeh), Hashem, your G-d, is commanding you to fulfill these statutes (chukim) and …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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9/14/22
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At the beginning of each book of the Torah, the Ramban (Nachmanides), in his Commentary on the Torah, suggests a name that represents the essence of the work. In our case, he calls Sefer Vayikra, …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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3/29/17
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The Menorah is one of the most ubiquitous symbols of Judaism. Therefore, nearly every synagogue in the world contains some form or representation of this sacred object. It seems that the Menorah of …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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6/8/17
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