THERE IS MORE NUTRITION THAN MEETS THE EYE
In this week’s Parsha, Eikev, we are instructed to bless HaShem after our meal. The daily life of a Jew is filled with opportunities to make brachos. From brachos on mitzvos to brachos of gratitude for who we are and the senses with which we were endowed.
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IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS
This week’s Parsha, Eikev, opens with Moshe telling his nation that they should be careful with the mitzvos that people step on. If we shall observe those mitzvos then HaShem will preserve for us the covenant He made with our forefathers.
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HEADS IN THE SAND
Moshe Holczler was a Jewish activist in his younger years in Hungary in the late 1930’s. In his biography, Late Memories, he relates one story where he happened to share a sleeping car on the way to Budapest with two German spies. Thinking that he was sleeping, they took the liberty to discuss their plans for taking over Hungary and liquidating the Hungarian Jewish population.
Continue reading Eikev 5777PARTNERS IN CREATING THE TORAH
When HaShem created His universe He created it with two distinct sets of laws. The laws governing all physical matter we call nature with its many various branches of physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, mathematics, etc. The laws governing Man and his behavior we call Torah. Both nature and her respective laws and Torah are the expression of HaShem’s Will.
Continue reading SHOFTIM 5782A BUILDING OF JOY
What a remarkable Parsha the Torah presents us as we draw closer to Rosh Hashana! This week’s Parsha, Ki Seitzei, is packed with mitzvos. There are 74 mitzvos which is 12% of all 613 mitzvos.
Continue reading KI SEITZEI 5780REMEMBER
In this week’s Parsha Moshe instructs his people to remember how Amalek attacked them as they left Egypt and to blot out the memory of Amalek. It is noteworthy that although we no longer know who the nation of Amalek is, nevertheless the mitzvah remains to remember what they did and to blot out their memory.
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This week’s Parsha, Shoftim, begins with the Torah’s instructions to our people to place judges and and law enforcement officers at all of our gates. The simple meaning of this mitzvah is to establish a court system for every city. However,
JUST HANG ON
In this week’s Parsha, Shoftim, Moshe continues his final testament to his people just days before his passing. He tells them that when they go to war against their enemy and they see how large and insurmountable the enemy’s forces are, they should not fear. They should remember how HaShem lifted them up from Egypt and know that He
Continue reading SHOFTIM 5778WE NEED YOU AT THE MEETING
This past Sunday the month of Elul began along with the custom to blow the Shofar every morning. The purpose of this Shofar blast is to arouse us from our slumber, or in more practical terms, to wake us up from our distractions. Imagine the fellow whose business takes him to
FOOTSTEPS
In this week’s Parsha, Shoftim, Moshe teaches us; “When there is an issue that eludes you, you must go to the place where HaShem chose. You will come to the judges and you will do as they instruct from that place”. Would it not be more appropriate to say that “you must go up to the judges in the place where HaShem chose”. Why is the location of the court relevant?
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