Archive for the ‘ Everything ’ Category

Dvar Torah on the Parsha – Bamidbar 5772 2012

The first instruction given to Moshe in Sefer BaMidbar is to count Bnei Yisrael. This is not the first time they were counted. In the Portion of Ki Tisa Moshe was also told to count the people. There is one major difference in how the counting was to be carried in this Portion and the [ READ MORE ]

Dvar Torah Parshat BeHar 5772 2012

The Portion begins by instructing us concerning the laws of Shmita or the Sabbatical year. The fields are to lay fallow, no planting and no harvesting. A number of verses later the Torah says: וְכִי תֹאמְרוּ מַה נֹּאכַל בַּשָּׁנָה הַשְּׁבִיעִת, “If you will say, ‘What will we eat on the seventh year? Behold we will [ READ MORE ]

Dvar Torah Parshat Emor 5772 2012

The Torah relates laws that pertain to the Kohen and then says: ויקרא וְקִדַּשְׁתּוֹ, “You shall sanctify him…”. (Lev. 21,8) Chazal understand this to mean that we must give honor to the Kohen. That is why he is given the privilege of leading the Grace After Meals. That is why he is given the first [ READ MORE ]

Dvar Torah Parshat Achre Mot-Kedoshim 5772 2012

The Portion of Kedoshim tells us that we must be holy. Just exactly how are we supposed to act to be holy? The Torah tells us how by explaining all the different moral and ethical laws we should follow. Unfortunately, there are people who think that by cutting oneself off from the community and living [ READ MORE ]

Dvar Torah Shabbat Pesach 5772 2012

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 ]

Dvar Torah Parshat Tzav 5772 2012

The Kohanim had to wear special garments when they performed their duties in the בית המקדש. If they wore regular clothes and not the specifically designated clothes of the Kohanim their service was void and was not acceptable. Clothing is an important indication of a person’s status and often his profession. Soldiers, policemen and firemen [ READ MORE ]

Dvar Torah Parshat Vayikra 5772 2012

The Torah is discussing the various sacrifices that one must bring to atone for a transgression. Among these laws we find also sacrifices that a נשיא or the ruler of the people must bring when he transgresses. This in itself is noteworthy that the נשיא, the ruler of the Jewish people, should be guilty of [ READ MORE ]

Dvar Torah Parshat Ki Tisa 5772 2012

When the Jewish people built the Golden Calf Moshe was on Mt. Sinai. Hashem notifies Moshe of the transgression of the Israelites and tells him to go down from the mountain to the people. He tells Moshe that He will destroy the Bnei Yisrael. Moshe’s immediate reaction is to start praying that Hashem should forgive [ READ MORE ]

Dvar Torah Parshat Tetzaveh 5772 2012

The oil used to light the Menorah in the Mishkan and later in the Bet Hamikdash had to be שֶׁמֶן זַיִת זָךְ כָּתִית, “…pure, pressed olive oil, beaten…”. (Ex.27,20) Rashi explains that the oil was not obtained by grinding the olives in a mill, which is the normal process. Rather, the olives were placed in [ READ MORE ]

Dvar Torah Parshat Terumah 5772 2012

The construction of the Mishkan and the various items that are to be included in it are described in great detail. One of the items is הָאָרֹן, or the Ark. The Torah calls this ark אֲרוֹן הָעֵדֻת, “…the ark of testimony…”.(Ex.25,22) Why is the Ark given this name? The Torah itself answers this question. It [ READ MORE ]

Dvar Torah Parshat Mishpatim 5772 2012

In the Tanach the word Elokim does not always mean Hashem. It also has the meaning of judge or court. In today’s Sidra we are told, if someone accepts the responsibility of watching another person’s item and it is stolen or lost, the law depends on what kind of a watchman he was. If he [ READ MORE ]

Dvar Torah Parshat Yitro 5772 2012 – Measure for Measure…

Yitro listens to Moshe and hears him relate all the great wonders that Hashem did for the Bnei Israel in Egypt. He is awed by what he hears and praises Hashem and says: בָּרוּךְ יְקֹוָק. He does not stop at that but adds that Hashem is great: כִּי בַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר זָדוּ עֲלֵיהֶם “…for in the [ READ MORE ]

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