Wholeness
What is a whole year? Every year, when we read the parsha of Chayei Sarah, I review the Rashi about the years of Sarah’s life.
The Physicality is What Elevates
Rabbi Akiva Bruck writes, in his parsha sefer From Behind the Curtain on Parsha Vayeira, “[o]ne of the most fundamental ideas which the Chassidic masters wished to impart is that we all have the ability and the obligation to find the spiritual within the physical — to pull away the masks clothing this physical world…
Avodah for the High Holidays
The Yomin Noraim instill a sense of hesitancy, awe, and fear in the heart of a yid. The other holidays seem easy in comparison, at least from my perspective.
Master of Time
In parsha Nitzavim, we come across a theme of teshuvah to prepare us for Rosh Hoshanah and Yom Kippur. In fact, Nitzavim always precedes Rosh Hoshanah, so it seems quite timely that Ribono Shel Olam would give us this lesson.
Pursuing Mitzvos, Geulah, and Selichos
In this week’s parsha we are given the mitzvos of bikkurim and maaser. It’s a very fascinating concept to receive these mitzvos just days away from Rosh Hashanah.
The War for Your Soul
During these days of Elul, we find ourselves in a state of war. Elul is a season of war, but not one of base physical means. Rather, it is a month of spiritual war – a month when we are empowered to launch an attack on the yetzer hara.
It Takes Two to Tango
What’s the value of having two of something? Personally, I like to have backups, but when it comes to Torah matters, a backup is useless – there needs to be a use, an application, otherwise there’s no point. So what’s the value in the king writing two sifrei Torah?
Rosh Chodesh Elul & Making Teshuva Real
This Shabbos we read the parsha Re’eh, coinciding with Rosh Chodesh Elul. The Bobover Ruv brings the Bas Ayin on Re’eh, that for Elul the name of the month, normally spelled, אלול, can be spelled as עלול instead, substituting the aleph with an ayin. The latter term, with an ayin, refers to a baby. Thus,…
Responsibility, Reward, and Responsibility
In Parshas Eikev, we come across an important concept regarding how HaShem pays reward.
Shema: Personal, United, and Special
In Parshas Va’eschanan we get the biggest hits. It’s like the Q night but Torah trivia for klal yisroel. Who was it that Moshe prayed for? What is it we have to not just remember but also guard? The list goes on. I’d like to dial into the mantra of the Jewish people – shema.
Story Exegesis on Parashas Balak
In many ways, this is a tale as old as time. Imagery found in the Torah, true as it can be. A prophet takes the center stage, barely prepared for the raw power he faces off against.