Positive Social Structure

Why Not Put the Best Foot Forward?

The Challenges of Time and Unity – A Frank Discussion

Whose Pronunciation Should the Oleh Use?

Ask the Rabbi: Whose Responsibility Is Raising the Wall?

I built my house years before the next-door property was developed, with an approximately meter-high wall between properties. My property is 2 meters higher than the next one; now they are excavating to build the other house, there will be a 5-meter drop, which I feel makes it dangerous for my children. [He seems to be building according to the permit he received.] My neighbor had agreed to pay for raising the wall, but now is unwilling to pay the significant cost. We cordially disagree whether it is his obligation. Have I misjudged the matter?

Fulfilling Parashat Zachor on Ki Teitzei

I heard a chumra that during a leap year, with 13 months between readings of Parashat Zachor, one should have in mind to fulfill the mitzva of zechirat Amalek during the reading of those p’sukim in Ki Teitzei. Should I do that (shuls do not usually announce it)?

Is Keeping the Old Going New?

Our parasha introduces the idea of an “eternal flame,” which, contrary to what many think, was not on the menora but on the larger mizbe’ach (altar) upon which most of the korbanot were brought.

Mishkan – The Great Travel Guide?

the sefer ends by discussing that the cloud stayed on top of the Mishkan until it was time for Bnei Yisrael to move. The movement of the cloud as a sign to travel is discussed at length, where it “should be” – in Sefer Bamidbar. So why does it conclude Sefer Shmot?

May a Tzaddik Request Tranquility?

Could it be wrong for a tzaddik to ask for tranquility and must he suffice only with reward in the World to Come?

Change in Human Initiative Pattern

One of the major themes in Sefer Bereishit is the contrasts between each of the righteous patriarchs and matriarchs. Let us focus on the nature of the struggles to emerge safely as a pillar of the Chosen Nation.

Hashem, Our Protector

Parashat Ha’azinu comes out a couple of days before Sukkot, and it is instructive to look for themes that are common to the two.

Whose Blessing?

Birkat Kohanim was on “the day that Moshe completed to erect the Mishkan”, which was the 1st of Nisan, which is also called “the eighth day” of the inauguration of the Mishkan. On this day, Aharon lifted his hands and blessed the people.

Make Sure your Head Is Straight

In the aftermath of the death of two of Aharon’s sons, who brought “a foreign fire” (Vayikra 10:1), the Torah commands kohanim not to drink wine or other intoxicating drinks before entering or serving in the holy sanctum (ibid. 9). The Torah goes on: “… and to make rulings for Bnei Yisrael on all of the statutes that Hashem spoke to them by Moshe’s hand” (ibid. 11).

The Great People Who Could

It would have been wise for the Egyptians,to have developed some of our forefathers into fine craftsmen who could have contributed to society. This would have come in handy for us, especially when we had the necessity to build the Mishkan. I Yet, I am unaware of statements of Chazal that speak of the artisans of the Mishkan having such training, and the p’sukim imply the opposite.

Why Them?

Parashat Zachor with Different Pronunciations

My shul has always read Parashat Zachor once, with our regular havara (pronunciation). Some people now complain that we do not follow other shuls and read multiple times with different havarot to fulfill the mitzva according to more opinions and to do the mitzva properly for Sephardim. Should we change our minhag?

The Rambam, Rav Yisraeli, Bentching, and Aliya

Purity and Repentance

We begin the reading of two special maftirs that remind Bnei Yisrael of the preparations for the upcoming central mitzva of the Korban Pesach (see Rashi, Megilla 29a). Parashat Para discusses the step of those who came in contact with the high level of tumah coming from a human corpse, who needed to purify themselves in order to bring the Korban Pesach. Next week’s Parashat Hachodesh reminds people generally about the need to prepare for the Korban Pesach with a variety of halachot to keep in mind.

Partial Understanding of Half

The six p’sukim of our maftir, known as Parashat Shekalim (Shemot 30:11-16), combine so many separate concepts that at first appear as referring to the same thing that it is difficult to keep things straight. At the center of it all, though, is the half-shekel coin. Let us see what it is apparently connected to.

Freedom – For Whose Sake?

After the seventh in a series of Shemitta cycles, Bnei Yisrael, in the time that “all its inhabitants” are in Eretz Yisrael, are commanded in the laws of Yovel (Vayikra 25:8-13). There are three main halachot: Jewish slaves are set free (ibid. 10); the land is not worked, as in the previous Shemitta year (ibid. 11); fields that were sold are returned to their original owner (ibid. 13).