Articles in Parsha Insights
Mishpatim: Modern Relevance of Ancient Texts
Striking the Slave
This week’s Torah portion reads like a book of law on subjects such as property damage, personal injury and halachic jurisprudence.
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Teruma: The Size of a Sacrifice
A Cause for Wonder
Moshe was instructed to build a Mishkan (tent) in which G-d would manifest his presence. Gazing into the future Moshe saw King Shlomo marvel that “A G-d who is not contained by the vast heavens would fit into the small confines of the Beis Hamikdash!” Moshe reflected …
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 …
