Archive for the ‘ 6-Holidays/FastDays ’ Category
The Torah reading for the first day of the Yom Tov of Pesach begins with the words: וַיִּקְרָא מֹשֶׁה לְכָל זִקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, “And Moshe called to all the elders of Israel and said to them…”. (Ex. 12,21) His instructions were that they were to take an animal from their flock which was to be used [ READ MORE ]
As we start reading the Torah anew we cannot help but notice that it starts with the letter BET. Many Drashot have been said about this fact and also about the shape of the letter. There is, however, a very interesting Drasha that a Magid or preacher once gave. He pointed out that the Talmud [ READ MORE ]
In the Torah reading of Yom Kippur we are told TE’ANU ET NAFSHOTECHEM, “…you shall afflict your souls…”. (Lev. 16,29) It is well known that “affliction” here refers to the restrictions of Yom Kippur: the prohibitions of eating and drinking, of washing, of anointing, of wearing shoes, and of having marital relations. (There is a [ READ MORE ]
On Chol Hamo’ed Pesach, as well as Succot, we read the Torah portion which deals with a discussion between Moshe and Hashem following the episode of the Golden Calf. Moshe asks that he be shown the glory of Hashem so that he will understand the workings of Hashem. The response he got was that no [ READ MORE ]
Pharaoh had two dreams and it was only Yosef who was able to interpret them for him. Yosef was taken out of the dungeon where he had been for years and brought before Pharaoh. The Midrash Tanchuma (MiKetz 3) directs our attention to a number of changes that Pharaoh made in relating the dreams to [ READ MORE ]
The Portion read this Shabbat Chol HaMo’ed (and also Shabbat Chol HaMo’ed Pesach) relates the story of what happened after the Israelites built the Golden Calf and Moshe had to receive the second Ten Commandments to replace the ones he shattered. Hashem tells him: PSOL LECHA SHNE LUCHOT AVANIM KARISHONIM, “…Carve for yourself two stone [ READ MORE ]
When Bnei Israel left Egypt we read that Pharaoh’s servants had a change of heart and said: MAH ZOT ASINU, “…what is this thing that we have done, that we sent them away…”. (Ex. 14,5) Their complaint is strange for they were the ones who early in the series of plagues urged Pharaoh to send [ READ MORE ]
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Many people have the philosophy of live for today. The past does not count and let the future generations worry about what will be then. Moshe disputes this thinking and tells us specifically: ZECHOR YEMOT OLAM BINU SHNOT DOR VADOR, “Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations…”. (Deut. 32,7) Moshe tells [ READ MORE ]
In the Torah reading of this day we are told about the birth of Yitzhak. We then read about his relationship with his brother Ishmael. His mother Sarah saw the bad influence this association had and she demanded of Avraham to send Ishmael away from the household. Avraham refused. Why did he disagree with his [ READ MORE ]
This comming Shabbat is the LAST SHABBAT of the year – just before Rosh Hashana (The Jewish New Year – aka. Judgement day) That is right, this is the last shabbat of 5769! Our sages teach us that our deeds during the last Shabbat of the year have incredible power to rectify our deeds of [ READ MORE ]
I think this is the 1st time in History that such an event is taking place… May 27th 2009 – Wednesday at 3:30pm (8:30am EST) at the kikar in Rosh Ha’Ayin, Israel. (markaz mis’hari shabazi) THE VIDEO IS HERE On Shavuos Israel received the Torah – Unfortunately, Israel also sinned with the golden calf. Tomorrow at [ READ MORE ]
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