Devarim

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

The Number Eleven R. Yonah ibn Janach (990–1055) explains that ashtei-asar is a contraction of the words al (“on”) and shtei-asar...

Parshas דְּבָרִים Giving Sound to the Silence דְּבָרִים: words דָבָר: thing מִדְבָּר: desert דְבִיר: Holy of Holies אַבְּרָא כְּדַבְּרָא:...

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

“Listen O heavens, and I will speak, and the earth shall hear the words of my mouth…” (Deut. 32:1). These are the opening words of a...

Parshas וָאֶתְחַנַן A Bridge Over Troubled Waters עָבַר: past עִבְרִי: Hebrew (person) מַעַבַר: bridge, crossing עַבֵירָה: sin, a breach...

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...

The Bible uses many words that mean “rain”. The rationale for this might simply be that rainfall was so important to ancient Jewish...

Parshas עֵקֶב Heal the Heel and Walk the Straight Path עֵקֶב: if only, to step upon, because of, end reward עֵקֶב: heel עִיקוּב: curved...

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

Have you ever heard an old Jewish Bubby (Yiddish for “grandmother”) refer to wild kids as chayot or behemot? Do you know what she’s...

Parshas רְאֵה A Sky Full of Stars — Knowing Our Place שָׁם: there שֵׁם: name הַשֵׁם: Hashem, the name שֵׁם: son of Noach נְשָׁמָה: soul...

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

fter Joseph told his brothers about his dreams, which seemed to foretell Joseph’s eventual rise to greatness and leadership over his...

Parshas שׁוֹפְטִים The One Who Has the Light Shines the Way שֶׁמֶשׁ: sun שִׁמוּשׁ: to use, to serve שַׁמַשׁ: shammash שַׁמַשׁ: shammash...

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

The Torah mentions a special prayer which Moshe would say when the Ark of the Covenant would begin to travel (we say this prayer when...

Parshas כִּי תֵצֵא War — What Is It Good For? לֶחֶם: bread מִלְחָמָה: war כִּי תֵצֵא לַמִּלְחָמָה עַל אֹיְבֶיךָ וּנְתָנוֹ ה’ אֱ-לֹהֶיךָ...

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

The Torah says, “A judge you shall not curse and a prince/king in your nation shall you not curse” (Ex. 22:27). This passage forbids...

Parshas כִּי תָבוֹא There Is Nothing Greater אָמֵן: Amen אֶמוּנָה: trust אֻמָנוֹת: trade, artisan אוֹמֶנֶת: midwife, nurse, babysitter...

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

Parshas וַיֵלֶך The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful רָעָה: evil, bad רוֹעֶה: shepherd מַרְעֶה: pasture תְּרוּעָה: teruah, sound of the...

Parshas נְצָבִים Sweetening the Din עֶרֶב: evening מַעַרַב: west, מַעַרִב: evening prayers עַרָבָה: desert עַרָבוֹת: willow branch עַרַב:...

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...

Parshas הַאַזִינוּ Do We Hear What’s in the Balance? אָזֶן : ear מֹאזְנַיִם : scales אִזוּן : balance הַאֲזִינוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם וַאֲדַבֵּרָה...

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