Gold, Silver, Precious Stones – Closeness to Hashem – part III

Moshe on Mt. Sinai: First Get to Work!

Between Truth and Peace

Why Do We Fall at the Peak?

why do those who repent fall at the peak of the "radiance"? What brings the Children of Israel to make the golden calf? And what does God expect of us once we become independent?

The Sin of the Golden Calf and the World Wars

Originally adapted from Rav Tzvi Yehuda HaKohen Kook's classes, in honor of the 40th anniversary of Rav Tzvi Yehuda's death this week)

Can there be Compassion without Justice?

Why must there be justice as well as compassion, punishment as well as forgiveness? Why is forgiveness alone not enough?

Israel, Gentiles, & Gog U'Magog

Rav Zalman Baruch Melamed explains the relationship between Jews and Gentiles in the era of Mashiach and Gog U'Magog.

A Mysteries Sin

The sin of the Golden Calf remains one of the great mysteries in the story of the Jewish people throughout the ages.

What’s Behind the Mask of Moshe?

Who Counts in Judaism?

The Parsha begins with Hashem’s command to conduct a census of Bnei Yisrael. Why is the command given here?

Mystical Worlds

Why is the word for a 'thing' in Hebrew - 'davar' - from the same root as the word for 'speech' - 'dibbur? As solid as 'things' seem, they are no more than God 'speaking' them - keeping them in existence by His word.

“I Shall Dwell in the Midst of Bnei Yisrael” – part I

When we pray for the rebuilding of the Beit Hamikdash, we are in essence praying for the Divine Presence to dwell once again among us, especially in the Holy Temple.

How Leaders Fail

Leaders can fail for two kinds of reason. The first is external. The time may not be right. The second kind of failure is internal. A leader can simply lack the courage to lead.

Then the Tabernacle, Now the Land

discussing the campaign found in Ki Tisa for the building materials to construct the Tabernacle and Sanctuary, and tells how we can participate in like construction today.

What Is Judaism's Most Powerful Prayer?

Courage and Commitment

Why didn’t Hashem just announce the whole total of the nation? Why did Moshe have to go around to the tents at all?

Isn't Stiff Necked a Physical Condition?

Mordechai Hidden in the Ktoret

the name of the hero of the Purim story, Mordechai, is alluded to in our Parsha which describes the spices that constitute the incense offering in the tabernacle and temple.

Anointing Oil - part II

If the shemen hamish’cha (anointing oil) is used inappropriately, is the anointer liable, the anointed, or both of them? If someone produces shemen hamish’cha inappropriately, is he liable, regardless how much he produced? Where is the shemen hamish’cha poured? Where will we find the shemen hamish’cha today?

Quality Over Quantity

“When you count (Ki tisa) the heads of Bnei Yisrael... and there should not be a plague" The counting reminds us of the upcoming elections and the plague reminds us of the not yet finished Corona pandemic.