Parshat Yitro – Don’t Be Greedy

Nitzavim begins with Moses gathering every member of the Jewish people for the final time. He initiates them into a Covenant with G-d as the Almighty’s ‘Chosen People’. This Covenant applied not only to those present on that day, but to all future Jewish generations. A question for your consideration- how could someone not present…

Upon reviewing the stories of two of Yaakov’s twelve sons, Yosef and Yehudah, one may wonder why Yehudah’s descendants were ultimately crowned with the kingship of Israel rather than those of Yosef. Stories regarding their chastity are told of both. After her first and second husbands died, both of whom were sons of Yehudah, Tamar…

Parshas: Ki Sisa The portion begins with G-d’s command to Moses to take a census by collecting an equal contribution of a half-shekel coin from every adult male between the ages of 20 and 60, with the profits going to the Mishkan (Tabernacle). G-d designates Betzalel, of the tribe of Judah, and Oholiav, of the…

“When I call out the Name of HaShem, ascribe greatness to our G-d.” This calling out, according to the Malbim and Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, is one of Torah. Anyone who keeps the Torah and learns it learns the Name of HaShem. The Divine Presence rests upon him. A community calling out HaShem’s name, through…

The sedra of Ki Savo refers to the Jewish people entering the promised land. “And it shall be, when you come to the land, which the L-rd your G-d gives you as an inheritance…” In the days of Yehoshua, the disciple of Moshe Rabbeinu who lived about 3300 years ago, the Jewish people entered the…