Articles in Parsha Insights
Terumah: Our Only True Possession
Receiving Through Giving
“And you shall take for me a contribution,” is the first verse of this Parsha. The fact that it reads “You shall take for me a contribution” and not “You shall give for me a contribution” indicates that he who gives is also a recipient. In fact, that …
Yitro: The Confident Approach
Cold Feet
Many years ago, I found myself in a plane high above the Grand Canyon. I was on my way to accept a job as head counselor of a West Coast summer day camp when I began to doubt myself. Was this job right for me? Was I good enough? …
Mishpatim: A Tale of Two Perspectives
Murder and Peace
“If a man should act against his fellow to kill him with guile, from my altar shall you take him to die”. Why does the Torah speak of taking the murderer from the altar? The altar is known as an instrument of peace but if a murderer seeks …
Mishpatim: Spiritual Fertility
A Reward for Mitzvah
“Lo Tehiye Meshakeilah V’akara B’artzecha, Es Mispar Yomecha Amale.” There shall be no miscarriage or infertility in your land, I shall fill the number of your days. The simple meaning of this verse is a blessing from G-d for long life and fertility in reward for keeping …
Yitro- Each to his own Level
Deputizing the Students
In this week’s Parsha we read that Moses descended from Mt Sinai and began to teach G-d’s Torah to the Masses. As Moses sat from morning to evening long queues of query laden students formed up and snaked around his tent for miles. Each sought an answer, each …
Beshalach: Heavenly Bread
Two Loaves of Manna
Every Shabbos table boasts a goblet of wine and two loaves of bread – Challah. Why do we have two loaves of bread? Our Parsha teaches that, in the desert, G-d gave our ancestors a daily portion of Manna. On Friday he gave them two portions, one …
Bo: Battling Complacency
D Day
On June 6, 1944, allied forces launched a major assault against occupied France along the coast of Normandy. In the initial phases of the landing, American forces suffered heavy casualties on Omaha Beach. Communications with headquarters was scant because many radios were either lost in the Channel or destroyed …
Bo: Uncovering Divine Mysteries
In Awe of Pharaoh
G-d commanded Moses to come to Pharaoh and instruct him to release the Jewish people from bondage. Why did G-d tell Moses to come to Pharaoh and not go to Pharaoh? The Zohar answers that Pharaoh’s aura and power overwhelmed Moses and he was afraid to enter …
