Torah Columns
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Sukkot/Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah 5769 By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of Oct. 17, 2008 There are few things in life that can elicit a collective gasp from everyone in a room. A real … more
By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of Jan. 30, 2009 / 5 Shevat 5769 The Torah is an amazing book. You can read and reread over and over, and each time you find something new: a nuance, a tidbit, … more
This week’s portion, Shelach, contains one of the most challenging stories in the entire Torah: the story of the spies. “Sh’lach Lecha’ Anashim Ve’Yaturu …” “Send out spies for yourselves…” (Numbers 13:1) more
As the Torah depicts the early travels of the Israelites, small details from famous stops are recalled. “They crossed the Red Sea toward the desert. They then traveled for three days … more
The Torah is full of thought-jewels. This week’s reading, Naso, is especially significant because it contains the precious jewel of the priestly blessing. The Hebrew text of the blessing … more
Parashat Terumah focuses on the various raw materials necessary to construct the Mishkan (portable sanctuary) and its holy kalim (vessels). Therein, we find a well-known pasuk that speaks to the … more
Is forgiveness a virtue? Should we automatically forgive those who have wronged us? What if they do not necessarily deserve it? And how do we avoid the inevitable feelings of anger and … more
One of the central mitzvoth of Pesach is the injunction not to eat any chametz, or unleavened bread. Instead, we are commanded to eat matzah, the unleavened bread, for the entire week. And whenever we think of matzah we think of Pesach. Less known, however, is the special mitzvah of matzah, which we read of in this week’s portion, which seems to be completely unrelated to the festival of Pesach. more
The Torah employs the phrase, “Ki tetze l’milchamah al oivecha” (“When you go forth to war against your enemy”) two times in Devarim. The first instance appears in our … more
This week’s parasha, Vayigash, concludes with the pasuk: “And Israel dwelt (vayeshev) in the land of Egypt in the land of Goshen, and they acquired property in it, and they were prolific … more
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