Article abstract for Parashat Pinchas: Moses is commanded: " צרור (oppress / distress) the Midianites… for they have oppressed you." The...

“And if her father deterred (הניא) her… and G-d will forgive her because her father deterred (הניא) her” (Num. 30:6). “And if, on the day...

This shall be for you the northern border: from the Great Sea תְּתָאוּ to Mount Hor. From Mount Hor תְּתָאוּ to the approach to Hamath …...

Tophel or Bust! Abstract for Parashat Devarim Essay: The Torah relates that Moses spoke with the Israelites "between Paran and between...

We encounter an unexpected phenomenon in this week's portion: two derivatives of the same root, שמר (guarding), in a single verse,...

Abstract for Parashat Eikev essay: There are many synonyms for anger in the Hebrew language. This article examines one of them in depth...

Parshat Eikev – Whipped-Up Anger The root ketzef(קצף) appears in Parashat Eikev more times than in any other Parsha, as follows: Moses...

Article abstract for Parashat Re'eh: The word שמיטה (shemita), mentioned in our Parashah, refers to the Sabbatical year, during which the...

Parashat Shoftim article abstract: Regarding the laws concerning accidental manslaughter, the Torah relates the case of a blade flying...

Parashat Shoftim article abstract: This week’s Torah portion prohibits the taking of a widow’s clothing as security, using the expression...

Article abstract for Parashat Ki Tavo: The word להשכיל (derived from the root שכל) generally means to become wiser, more educated. And...

Article abstract for Parashat Nitzavim: This week's Torah portion uses a word –ויתשם, from the root נתש– used nowhere else in the...

Article abstract for Parashat Vayelech: There are at least fifteen words for "strength" in Biblical Hebrew, but one of them, the root...

Summary of the essay for P' Haazinu: The word עקש appears for the first time in Scripture in this week's Parashah. Rashi explains the...

Vezot Habracha: Eternal Security The roots שכן and בטח appear together twice in Parashat Vezot Habracha: דב‘ לג:יב – לְבִנְיָמִן אָמַר...

In our Parsha[1] we read of a war between the Four Kings and the Five Kings. The former, in the course of winning the battle, take...

My two cents on this terrible pandemic ר”ל. The Gemara in Sanhedrin says אין בן דוד בא אלא בהיסח הדעת. Normally we of course understand...

Sukkot: Gog’s Impervious Roof Versus Israel’s Flimsy Thatched Sukkah (The following is in the main an adaptation of Rabbi S. R. Hirsch’s...

The Talmud(1) states: למה תוקעין ומריעין כשהן יושבין, ותוקעין ומריעין כשהן עומדין? כדי  לערבב השטן. Why (do the Jews) blow the shofar...

The root ‘ארש’ (betrothing) appears many times in Scripture, for example: And if a man ארש a wife and has not taken her, let him go and...