Parshat Re’eh 5777

Parshat Re’eh I was recently asked, “Rabbi, you say Judaism is the only true religion, and the Christians say that Christianity is and the Moslems say that Islam is the true religion. How do you know you are right?” I…

Continue ReadingParshat Re’eh 5777

Parshat Noach 5778

Parshat Noach Rashi begins his Torah commentary with Rabbi Yitzchak’s famous question: Why did Hashem begin the Torah with a description of Creation? Isn’t the Torah’s purpose to convey to man his obligations in the form of the commandments that…

Continue ReadingParshat Noach 5778

Parshat Emor 5778

Parshat Emor This week’s portion contains the commandment to sanctify Hashem’s name. The verse states (Leviticus 22:32): ספר ויקרא פרק כב לב) וְלֹא תְחַלְּלוּ אֶת שֵׁם קָדְשִׁי וְנִקְדַּשְׁתִּי בְּתוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲנִי יְדֹוָד מְקַדִּשְׁכֶם You shall not desecrate My holy…

Continue ReadingParshat Emor 5778

Parshat Korach

Parshat Korach The name of this week’s Torah portion is Korach. Korach is the name of the great and holy man who created a rebellion against Moshe. I am sure you are wondering about my choice of words in describing…

Continue ReadingParshat Korach

Parshat Ekev 5777

Parshat Ekev Ekev is the third portion in the book of Devarim (Deuteronomy), the fifth book of the Torah. This entire book was told to the Jewish people in the last thirty six days of Moshe’s life, with last three…

Continue ReadingParshat Ekev 5777

Parshat Chukat 5777

Parshat Chukat   The name of this week’s Torah reading is Chukat. A חק  is an edict, so the word חקת means “the edict of” and in context “This is the edict of the Torah.” The Torah continues to detail…

Continue ReadingParshat Chukat 5777