Article abstract: In Parashat Shemot, the word "הָאָבְנָיִם" appears, denoting a birthing stool. The word also appears in the Book of...

When G-d appoints Moshe as His emissary to redeem the Jewish People from their Egyptian bondage, He splits the leadership position into...

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com The Pharaoh and the King I still remember my fifth grade Rebbe, Rabbi A. Y. Berman, asking the one...

For the illui neshamahof my mother, Chaya Rachel basMordechai, on her yahrtzeit, the 17th of Teves, תש”ע Parshasשְׁמוֹת Hashem’s Treasure...

The root פלה first appears in this week’s Parsha, and it appears here twice, which is more than any other Parsha in the Torah. The first...

Before bringing the Plague of Blood, G-d tells Aharon to stretch out his staff over the different bodies of water in Egypt. He tells...

Just Because Before the Plague of Hail, Moshe warns the Pharaoh that he truly deserves to be killed, but that G-d had said, “nonetheless,...

Va’era How Do We Give Kavodto Hashem? כָּבֵד: heavy כָּבֵד: liver כָּבוֹד: honor לְכַבֵּד: to clean or sweep the house יוֹכֶבֶד: Moshe’s...

Article abstract for Parashat Bo: The word נא appears in Parashat Bo four times, with arguably three disparate meanings. Yet, Rashi...

In Parshat Bo there are three signs: The plagues in Egypt are called a “sign” (Ex. 10:1-2), the blood which the Jews were supposed to...

Turning off the Lights The ninth plague in Egypt was the plague of darkness. When describing this plague, the Torah relates that G-d told...

Article abstract: Parashat Beshalach is the portion of the Exodus and the Splitting of the Red Sea; it is also the portion of the Manna,...

This upcoming week is a little-known holiday called Tu B’Shevat (the 15th of the month of Shevat). The Mishna (Rosh Hashanah 1:1) says...

Bishalach How to Pass the Driving Test נִסָיוֹן: test נֵס: miracle נֵס: banner נוּס: flee נֵס: sail נִיסַן: Nisan נִסָיוֹן: Test...

Article abstract for Parashat Yitro: This week's Parashah opens with an apparently clear statement describing Jethro's joy about Hashem's...

Myself and I The Ten Commandments famously open with the words, “I am Hashem your G-d who took you out of Egypt…” (Ex. 20:2). In this...

The Midrash tells us that Moshe’s father-in-law Yitro (Jethro) had seven different names by which he is called in the Bible: Yitro,...

Yitro An Invitation to the Royal Wedding הַזְמָנָה: invitation, designation, preparation זִמּוּן: blessing Hashem זְמַן: time מְזוּמָן:...

Rabbi of Robbers The Amoraic sage Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish, also known as Reish Lakish, serves as the quintessential baal teshuvah, as he...

Article abstract for Parashat Mishpatim: This weeks portion is dedicated in large measure to teaching righteousness, defining what is...