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"...

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

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,...

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

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

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

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...

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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...

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

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,...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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...