In this week’s Parsha, we read the first seven plagues that smote Egypt. Regarding the second plague, tzefarde’ah, frogs, we …
Thoughts on Parshat Shemot – 5776
Moshe’s revelation at the burning bush is quite well-known. At second glance, however, this revelation seems unnecessary. In other situations, …
Thoughts on Parshat Vayigash – 5776
When a person casually asks, “How are you?”, they are usually just being polite. They are not really interested in …
A Missed Opportunity: Thoughts on Parshat Vayishlach – 5776
We see in this week’s Torah portion that Yaakov is very frightened of Esav. But this fear doesn’t paralyze him. …
Thoughts on Parshat Vayetzei – 5776
Every time that I read this week’s Torah portion, there is one particular event that makes a strong impression on …
Parshat Shoftim – 5775
In this week’s Parsha, Parshat Shoftim, we find the prohibition against unnecessary waste, known as “baal tashchis,” which translates as “do …
Thoughts for Parshat Devarim & Tisha B’Av – 5775
There are two occasions in this week’s readings that the trop (the tune the Torah is read with) changes: one …
Thoughts for Parshat Matot-Masei
When we experience a conflict of interest, how we react is a strong indicator of our true spiritual level. Do …
Thoughts for Parshat Pinchas – 5775
The topic of inheritance features very prominently in Parshat Pinchas. A new census is being taken for the purpose of …
Thoughts for Parshat Balak 5775
Bilam (Balaam, in English translations) is quite a character! He’s one of the most interesting personality studies that we have …