Articles in Parsha Insights
Vaeirah: Hiding behind Apathy
Pharaoh and the Frog
In discussing the second of the Ten Plagues the Midrash mentions that every creature plays a role in G-d’s master plan. If not for the frog, says the Midrash, how would the Almighty take retribution against Pharaoh?
Why does the Midrash single out the frog when there were …
Vaeirah: Four Steps
Dynamics of Relationships
In this week’s Parsha we read the four expressions of redemption. “I shall extract you, save you, redeem you and take you”. There seems to be a fascination in Judaism with the number four. At the Seder we drink four goblets of wine, we have four matriarchs, Torah …
Vaeirah: Hiding Behind Destiny
Was it their fault?
In this week’s Parsha we are given a demonstration of G-d’s power as he smites the mighty conquerors and frees the slaves.
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Shemot: Empathy in the Face of Suffering
A Mother’s Pain
A mother returned from her child’s funeral and approached the master. Through her tears, she begged him to tell her why her beloved child had had to die. The master asked her, “Do you really want to know?”
“Yes, of course I do” she replied.
“Are you sure?” asked the …
Shemot: Faith Based Relationship
Nurtured by a Miracle
Throughout the period of Jewish exile in Egypt, Jews experienced many miracles and divine interventions. Children were born in a miraculous fashion; they were raised in the fields by G-d and would arrive home, alive and healthy, at a mature age. They were fed, clothed and even …
Vaetchanan: Living for G-d
Three Loves
“And you shall love G-d your lord with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might.” (1) These words are not poetic descriptions of love but precise instructions that define the parameters of the love that G-d desires.
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Korach: Frigid Divisiveness
Apathetic Frostbite
The Baal Shem Tov taught that a Jew must utilize every encounter to gain inspiration inhis or her divine service. One winter day, the Baal Shem Tov’s students noticed a cross engraved in a sheet of ice and asked their rabbi what inspiration might be derived from a cross. …
Bechukotai: The Consequence of Good is Blessing
The Trivial Reward
He graduated with honors, received his master’s degree and was working on his dissertation when he lost interest. In an effort to motivate him, his professor said to him, “If you submit your dissertation and are granted your PhD, I will personally buy you a Game Boy.”
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