Yehoshua Steinberg

Bereishit: And Behold, It Was Very Stable ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

Article Abstract: The word טוב appears more times in Parashat Breishit than in any other – but what does the word actually mean? "Good"...

Noach: A New Beginning Delayed? ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

Article abstract for Parashat Noach: In his Sefer Hashorashim, Radak assigns one word in one verse in our Parashah to two different roots...

Lech Lecha: Run, Lot Run ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

Article abstract for Lech Lecha: In this week's Parashah, we are introduced to Abraham's nephew, Lot. What is the meaning of his name,...

Vayeira: Abraham’s Legacy of Paradox (Not language-connected) ~Yehoshua Steinberg

Which is the true Abraham - the Abraham of the beginning of this week's Torah Sidra, in which defends the wicked Sodomites in a...

Chayei Sarah: Tasteful Tasting ~ The Wonders of the Holy Tongue

Article abstract: Parashat Chayei Sarah contains two rare words: 1. Eliezer, Abraham's servant, in requesting a drink of water from...

Toldot: Heal, Esau! ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

The battle between Esau and Jacob, first introduced to us in Parashat Toldot, is far beyond sibling rivalry or a personal struggle - it...

Vayeitzei: The Unique Flock ~ The Wonders of the Holy Tongue

Our Parashah, Vayeitzei, focuses in the main on the life of Jacob our father, a shepherd by profession. Jacob was not the first of the...

Vayishlach: Quiet, Deaf Men Planning to Plow! ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

Article abstract: The Torah in Parashat Vayishlach recounts the violation of Dinah Bat Yaakov by Shechem Ben Hamor. Then, Scripture...

Vayeishev: A Compromised Article ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

בר’ מ:ח-וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֵלָיו חֲלוֹם חָלַמְנוּ וּפֹתֵר אֵין אֹתוֹ וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵהֶם יוֹסֵף הֲלוֹא לֵאלֹהִים פִּתְרֹנִים סַפְּרוּ נָא לִי....

Mikeitz: Chanukah wisdom ~ Wonders of The Holy Tongue

Article abstract: In the Torah portion Miketz, the word "חכם" (wise) appears for the first time in Scripture - used by Pharaoh to...

Vayigash: Confused About Crying ~ The Wonders of the Holy Tongue

Article abstract: Parashat Vayigash relates the emotional scene of Joseph reveals his true identity to his brothers. With emotions often...

Vayechi: Relative Kindness? ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

Article abstract for Parashat Vayechi: On his deathbed, Jacob asks his beloved son Joseph to swear that he will bury him in the land of...

Shemot: Forever Building! ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

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

Va’era: Positively Divided! ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

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...

Bo: I Desire it ‘Na’ Now, Even Half-Baked ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

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

Beshalach: Manna at the Ready ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

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,...

Yitro: Excruciating Elation ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

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

Mishpatim: Duck, Duck… Justice! ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

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

Terumah/Yom Kippur: To Cover up or to Clean Up, That is the Question ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

Article abstract for Parashat Terumah: This week's Parashah acutely delineates the makeup and measurements of the Tabernacle and its...

Tetzaveh: Guarded Closure, Hopeful Beginning ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

Article Abstract: Among the priestly garments and accoutrements listed in Parashat Tetzaveh is the High Priest's breastplate of judgment,...

Ki Tisa: Year of the Monkey? ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

Article abstract for Parashat Ki Tissa: We are introduced in this Parashah to the Festival of Gathering, an alternative name for the...

Is Pesach really Passover?

Yehoshua Steinberg I. Merciful Skipping שמ’ יב:יג – וראיתי את הדם ופסחתי עלכם. Ex. 12:13 – I will see the blood and pass over you. מכילתא...

Geula: emancipation or Expulsion?

Geula: emancipation or Expulsion? I. You Can Take Slaves out of the country, but… The Zohar Chadash tells of two types of salvation in...

Vayakhel: Wandering Infrastructure ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

Vayakhel: Wandering Infrastructure Article abstract for Parashat Vayakhel: This week's Parashah tells of the actual construction of the...

Vayakhel~Pekudai: The Breastplate-Canyon Connection – Yehoshua Steinberg

Exodus 35:24 – They attached (וַיִרְכְּסוּ) the Breastplate (Choshen) from its rings to the rings of the Ephod with a turquoise string,...

Pekudei: Up Up – But Not Away ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

פרשת השבוע מספרת על קיומו של משה של מצוות ה' לייצר את המשכן ואת כל תשתיותיו וכליו. בין המרכיבים הללו היה החושן של הכהן הגדול, שהיה חייב...

Tzav: Focus Is Fire ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

Tzav This week's Torah Portion describes the procedure for the sacrifice of birds to as implemented by the Kohen, namely to nip off its...

Shemini: The Simple Son: Dense or Perfect? ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

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Tazria: Of Lepers and Grasshoppers ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

Article Abstract: The root גבח appears in all of Scripture only in this week’s Torah portion, Tazria, in connection with the “leprosy”...

Metzora: The Place Where I Belong, My Ken ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

Article abstract for Metzora: As part of the leper’s purification process following his affliction with tazraat, this week’s portion...

Acharei Mot: Mixed Up and Worn out ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

The word “tevel”(תבל) appears once in Parashat Acharei Mot and once in Parshat Kedoshim, and nowhere else in the Pentateuch. In both...

Kedoshim: Sacrifice Delayed, Sacrifice Denied - Yehoshua Steinberg

A discussion of the rare scriptural word פגול (abominable, loathsome), and its relationship with the range of other words containing the...

Emor: Branching Out ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

אנו מתנצלים על ההפוגה בפרסום המאמרים בשבועות האחרונים עקב פטירתה של אמו האהובה ע"ה של הרב שטיינברג. אצילותה, רוחה ונשמתה האיתנה, ואהבתה...

Behar: Melted Heart – Yehoshua Steinberg

What is the connection between נמוך (low, short) and הכאה (hitting) and ניכוי (diminishment)? Also, what does the verse (Ps. 106:43)...

Bechukotai: Happy Ending / New Beginning ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

The root יסף denotes addition / expansion, as do many other words containing the two-letter ס-פ string. By contrast, other words...

Behaalotacha: Pesach Sheni, Absent-Minded Passover? ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

This week's Torah portion discusses the highly unusual opportunity to fulfil a biblical precept -the Passover offering- who's...

Shelach/Yom Kippur: Pardon Me? ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

Shelach: Pardon Me? לע“נשלמהבנימיןבןרפאלתנצב“ה Three words are used to generally describe forgiveness and atonement: סליחה, מחילה, כפרה....

Sukkot: Gog’s Impervious Roof Versus Israel’s Flimsy Thatched Sukkah ~ Yehoshua Steinber

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...

Korach: Concomitant Connection and Chasm ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

Following the start of Korach's mutiny, Moses told him to bring an incense offering, קטורת in Hebrew. Why was קטורת chosen as an...

Chukat: Settling on a Bite ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

Following the Israelites' murmuring against the manna sent from heaven, God dispatched snakes to bite them. The word "נשיכה" appears only...

Balak: Doubt, hitting, abundance/satiation ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

Someone sent me the following question: Anyone knows why do doubt and satisfaction, ספק וסיפוק, share the same Hebrew root? Answer: very...

Balak: A Short but Revelatory Article ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

Numbers 22:32 – And the angel of the Lord said to him, Why did you strike your she-donkey these three times? Behold, I went out to...

Balak: A Hollow Curse ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

The bulk of the Torah portion "Balak" concerns Bilaam cursing Israel. The primary word used for cursing though is the highly unsual term...

Pinchas: An Expansive Lesson on Constriction ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

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

Mattot: Kol Nidrei… a Few Months Early ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

“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...

Pesach: Is Pesach really Passover? ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

Merciful Skipping שמ’ יב:יג – וראיתי את הדם ופסחתי עלכם. Ex. 12:13 – I will see the blood and pass over you. מכילתא (בא פרשה ז): וראיתי...

Pesach: Geula – Emancipation or Expulsion? ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

You Can Take Slaves out of the country, but… The Zohar Chadash tells of two types of salvation in Egypt: זוהר חדש (פ’ יתרו, דף נב.): אני...

Massei: Round and Round it Goes ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

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 …...

Vayikra: A Licking for Amalek ~ Yehoshua Steinberg

ויקרא: בלק ועמלק - שֶיִמָּלְקוּ! פרשת השבוע מספרת על קיומו של משה של מצוות ה' לייצר את המשכן ואת כל תשתיותיו וכליו. בין המרכיבים הללו היה...

Devarim: Tofel or Bust! – Yehoshua Steinberg

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