The greatest miracle of our times, on par, perhaps, with that of the Six-Day War, occurred last Saturday night. More than 360 missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles were dispatched by Iran to Israel. The intention was to destroy defensive infrastructure, wreak mayhem and havoc, and destroy Jewish lives.
Some of the …
Everything, but The Pillow
In this week’s Parsha we learn that a creditor is permitted to demand collateral before offering a loan even if the debtor is impoverished. However, the Torah enjoins us not to demand an article that the debtor would require during the normal course of his day. For …
A Horrible Dilemma
A little boy steps into the path of an oncoming train. The child can be rescued, but the rescuer would likely forfeit his life. How do the parents decide who should die to save the child and should should live to raise him?
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Man and Bread
Our Parsha declares that “man is the tree of the field.” Our sages comment that the fruit of the tree is man’s primary sustenance. Though our diet contains many foods that are entirely unrelated to the tree, the Torah insists that only “bread can fully satiate the heart …
Guarding the Gateways
“Judges and guardians shall you appoint at all of your gateways” (Deuteronomy 17, 18). Every person has seven “gateways” through which impressions enter from the surrounding environment: one mouth, two nostrils, two eyes and two ears. It is our duty to appoint judges and guardians to regulate traffic …
Rotational Shifts
The twenty-four families of the Kehunah, priesthood, arranged their service at the Bet Hamikdash on a weekly rotation by which each family served one shift every twenty-four weeks. The week of a festival was naturally more demanding than a regular week but it would also bring more offerings to …
Greater than Life
Do you ever get the feeling that you are, but an infinitesimal spec, swallowed by the vastness of the universe and beyond? That cosmic forces arrayed along your path lead you to a destiny greater than your imagination? That life as you know it barely scratches the surface?
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The Etymological Question
Our Parsha begins with the verse, “Re’e Anochi Noten Leef-ne-chem Hayom B’racha U’klalah,” See I have placed before you today, a blessing and a curse.
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A Question of Motive
In this week’s Parsha we are told to walk in G-d’s path, to serve him and to cleave to him.
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