Shemot

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...

Photo by mali maeder on Pexels.com Sweet and Pleasant Not long after the Jews’ Exodus from Egypt, they travelled in the desert for three...

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...

The Torah (Ex. 21:6) teaches that if a Hebrew bondsman opts to continue with his master after his initial seven-year indenture, then “his...

Mishpatim Terms and Conditions for the Never-ending Story סֵפֶר: book, scroll, Torah סִיפּוּר: story לְסַפֵּר: to recount, to tell a...

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

This week ushers in the month of Adar in all its glory. Like all the months of the Jewish calendar, the name Adar is derived from the...

There are two words which refer to the accumulation of holiness on a spatial level: Mishkan and Mikdash. Although the Talmud (Eruvin 2a)...

Terumah Connecting Worlds מִן הָעוֹלָם עַד הָעוֹלָם חִיבּוּר: connection חֶבְרוֹן: Hebron מְחַבֵּר: writer/connector חָבֵר: friend חָבֵר:...

When Esav found out that the blessing from his father Yitzchak had been given to Yaakov, Esav “cried out a great and bitter cry” (Genesis...

Hats and Belts The Torah teaches us about the special garments to be worn by the Kohanim (priests) while performing the ritual duties in...

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

Titzaveh Parshasתְּצַוֶה Do You Make the Cut? חָרַשׁ: craftsman חַרִישָׁה: plow חַרָשִׁים:wise men חֵרֵשׁ: deaf person חָרַשׁ: Craftsman...

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

As Moshe prayed to G-d to forgive the Jewish People for sinning at the golden calf, G-d revealed to Moshe His Thirteen Attributes of...

Ki Tisa Spiritual Weight Watchers שֶׁקֶל: silver coin מִשְׁקַל: weight, weighing scales שָׁקוּל: equal, balanced שַׁקְלָא וְטַרִיָא: give...

Divine Dictator or Populist King After Joseph told his brothers about his dreams, which seemed to foretell Joseph’s eventual rise to...

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,...

The Beauty of Adar This upcoming week ushers in the month of Adar in all its glory. Like all the months of the Jewish calendar, the name...

The Malbim and others explain how a bevy of apparent synonyms for “clothing” actually differ from one another. As many commentators note,...

Vayakhel Horns of Pride קֶרֶן: horn קֶרֶן זוית: corner קֶרֶן: value, principle קֶרֶן אור: ray קֶרֶן: pride קֶרֶן: Horn וַיַּעַשׂ אֶת...

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...

Pekudei עֵגֶל: calf עַגָלָה: cart עֶגְלוֹן: Eglon, king of Moav מַעַגַל: circle עֵגֶל: Calf אֵלֶּה פְקוּדֵי הַמִּשְׁכָּן מִשְׁכַּן...