This week’s Torah portion discusses the law of “removing the ashes” from the mizbeach/altar. A kohen (priest) would remove a scoopful of ashes from the altar every morning. The priests would wear their holy vestments while performing this service. They would also compete to do the job. The mishna (Yoma 2:2) describes how the priests […]
In this week’s Torah portion, Vayelech, Moshe once again exhorts the Jewish People before he dies to adhere to the Torah’s commandments. Moshe introduces the final two commandments of the Torah: each person should write his own Torah scroll, and the mitzvah of Hakhel. The Hakhel ceremony takes place every seven years, in the year […]
History gives us a context in which to better appreciate the world around us. For example, knowing American history gives people a better appreciation of the freedom and opportunity that our nation affords its citizens. The “land of the free and the home of the brave” has given the Jews, in particular, the opportunity to […]
When a person is afflicted with tzora’as, his life turns upside down. Aside from the physical affliction on his skin, he is quarantined: he must leave his home and stay on the outskirts of town. There he stays alone; no one may come in contact with him. He must warn people who wish to come […]
“War is a necessary evil,” the saying goes. Rational people don’t seek to engage in war and go to battle only as a last resort. The Torah, in laying the foundation of Jewish jurisprudence, details the rules of war in this week’s portion. Among them are that the Jews must attempt a peaceful resolution first, […]
The ‘do it yourself’ attitude has earned a prominent place in our society. Besides the potential financial savings involved, people enjoy the fulfillment of tackling a project themselves and seeing what they can do on their own. They enjoy the camaraderie of the family undertaking the project together, pooling their common talents toward a united […]
This week’s Torah portion, Noach, introduces Noach by saying “These are the offspring of Noach, Noach was a righteous man perfect in his generation.” (Gen. 6:9) One would assume that if the Torah introduces Noach’s offspring, it would immediately enumerate his children; yet the Torah details Noach’s piety. Why does the Torah deviate by discussing […]
Parshas Noach opens with the story of The Flood. The people of the world were immoral and endlessly corrupt. G-d decided that civilization would have to be destroyed and a new one built on top of it. He brought a great flood – a deluge of boiling water – that destroyed every living creature on […]
One of Judaism’s basic tenets is that things don’t happen in a vacuum. Everything that we experience has a purpose and when it’s time for us to move on in life, G-d provides the circumstances to enable us to do exactly that. This week’s portion serves as a perfect example. The parsha begins with the […]
Recently, two tenth grade students of mine shared with me a late-night/ early-morning conversation they had had. While I’m usually wary of teenagers’ discussions in the middle of the night, this one made me proud of them. Before Passover, these students were discussing the advantages of the Jewish calendar, which always provides us with something […]