The primary focus of our parshiot, Tazria-Metzora, is the illness known as tzara’at. The unique nature of this disease is emphasized by the Rashbam who said that in this matter we may not …
more
By Rabbi David Etengoff
|
4/15/21
|
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 …
more
By Rabbi David Etengoff
|
4/7/21
|
The protagonist of the haftorah for this week’s parashat, Beshalach, is the prophetess and judge Devorah: “Now Deborah was a woman prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth; she judged Israel …
more
By Rabbi David Etengoff
|
1/29/21
|
Our parasha, Yitro, is one of two in the Torah that presents the narrative of the Revelation at Mount Sinai (the other is Va’etchanan in Devarim). Ma’amad Har Sinai (the Revelation) …
more
By Rabbi David Etengoff
|
2/3/21
|
Ezra the Scribe (5th century BCE) was one of the great leaders of the Jewish people. One of his most significant achievements was the establishment of the exact format in which a sefer Torah must …
more
By Rabbi David Etengoff
|
12/30/20
|
Our parasha presents us with one of the most famous nevuot in the entire Tanach, Ya’akov and the sulam (ladder): “And he dreamed and behold! a sulam — ladder set up on the …
more
By Rabbi David Etengoff
|
11/25/20
|
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 …
more
By Rabbi David Etengoff
|
11/19/20
|
Our parasha, Chayei Sarah, begins with two well-known pasukim: “And the life of Sarah was one hundred years and twenty years and seven years; [these were] the years of the life of Sarah. …
more
By Rabbi David Etengoff
|
11/12/20
|
Avraham’s relationship with Hashem was unique among the avot. He was the only one whom the Almighty called both avdi (my servant) (Bereishit 26:24), and ohavi (my beloved friend) (Yeshayahu …
more
By Rabbi David Etengoff
|
11/4/20
|
When we examine the first verse of our parasha, “Va’yomer Hashem el Avram (And Hashem said to Avram), ‘Lech lecha (Go forth from your land and from your birthplace and from your …
more
By Rabbi David Etengoff
|
10/28/20
|