Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Click here to receive the weekly parsha by email each week. Parashat Vayakhel-Pekuday LET, THEN, BEZALEL AND OHALIAV, ALL THE SKILLED PERSONS WHOM THE LORD HAD ENDOWED WITH SKILL AND ABILITY TO PERFORM EXPERTLY ALL THE TASKS CONNECED WITH THE SERVICE OF THE SANCTUARY, CARRY OUT ALL THAT THE LORD HAS COMMANDED. (Shemot 36:1) In the "Tabernacle of Love" All Are Equal Before God Bezalel was the name given him by his nation. The Holy One Blessed be He called him by five names that were...
Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Click here to receive the weekly parsha by email each week. Parashat Ki Tissa WHEN HE FINISHED SPEAKING WITH HIM ON MOUNT SINAI, HE GAVE MOSES THE TWO TABLETS OF THE PACT, STONE TABLETS INSCRIBED WITH THE FINGER OF GOD. WHEN THE PEOPLE SAW THAT MOSES WAS SO LONG IN COMING DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN, THE PEOPLE GATHERED AGAINST AARON AND SAID TO HIM, "COME MAKE US A GOD WHO SHALL GO BEFORE US, FOR THAT MAN MOSES, WHO BROUGHT US OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT...
Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Click here to receive the weekly parsha by email each week. Parashat Tetzave REMEMBER WHAT AMALEK DID TO YOU ON YOUR JOURNEY… AND CUT DOWN ALL THE STRAGGLERS IN YOUR REAR… UNDETERRED BY FEAR OF GOD… YOU SHALL BLOT OUT THE MEMORY OF AMALEK FROM UNDER HEAVEN. DO NOT FORGET! (Devarim 25: 17-19) Blot out the memory of Amalek – Israel said to the Holy One Blessed Be He: Master of all worlds, you tell us to blot out the memory of Amalek!? We are flesh...
Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Click here to receive the weekly parsha by email each week. Parashat Truma AND LET THEM MAKE ME A SANCTUARY THAT I MAY DWELL AMONG THEM. (Shemot 25: 8) And it is written, and grant you peace (Bamidbar 6: 26) – The Shulamit – a nation in which dwells perpetual peace, for it says, and let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them. The Shulamit – a nation into which, in the future, I will grant peace, for it says, I will...
Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Click here to receive the weekly parsha by email each week. Parashat Mishpatim YOU SHALL NOT WRONG A STRANGER OR OPPRESS HIM, FOR YOU WERE STRANGERS IN THE LAND OF EGYPT. YOU SHALL NOT MISTREAT ANY WIDOW OR ORPHAN (Shemot 22:20-1) You shall not mistreat any widow or orphan – That is also the law regarding any person, but Scripture is speaking of what usually happens and therefore mentions these in particular for they are feeble in defensive power and it is a frequent occurrence for...
Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Click here to receive the weekly parsha by email each week. Parashat Yitro HAVING JOURNEYED FROM REFIDIM, THEY ENTERED THE WILDERNESS OF SINAI AND ENCAMPED IN THE WILDERNESS. ISRAEL ENCAMPED THERE IN FRONT OF THE MOUNTAIN. (Shemot 19: 2) The Torah Was Given out of Peace and Unity, But Unity Does Not Necessarily Imply Unanimity Israel encamped – as one person of one heart, but all the other stations of encampment involved complaining and controversy. (Rashi on Shemot 19: 2) Peace is great –...
Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Click here to receive the weekly parsha by email each week. Parashat Beshalach AND IT CAME BETWEEN THE ARMY OF THE EGYPIANS AND THE ARMY OF ISRAEL. THUS THERE WAS THE CLOUD WITH THE DARKNESS, AND IT LIT UP THE NIGHT, SO THAT ONE COULD NOT COME NEAR THE OTHER ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT. (Shemot 14: 20) Rejoicing Upon One's Rescue Does Not Require Rejoicing Over the Enemy's Downfall Does God rejoice over the fall of the wicked? It is written: as they went forth...
Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Click here to receive the weekly parsha by email each week. Parashat Bo THEY SHALL TAKE SOME OF THE BLOOD AND PUT IT ON THE TWO DOORPOSTS AND THE LINTEL OF THE HOUSE IN WHICH THEY ARE TO EAT IT. (Shemot 12: 5) And put it on the two doorposts and the lintel – On the inside. Are you saying it should be on the inside or, rather, on the outside? We learn from the verse, the blood shall be a sign for you (12: 13)...
Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Click here to receive the weekly parsha by email each week. Parashat Vaera AND THE LORD SAID TO MOSES, "EARLY IN THE MORNING PRESENT YOURSELF TO PHARAOH, AS HE IS COMING OUT TO THE WATER, AND SAY TO HIM, 'THUS SAYS THE LORD: LET MY PEOPLE GO THAT THEY MAY WORSHIP ME.'" (Shemot 8: 16) And the Lord said to Moses, "Early in the morning present yourself to Pharaoh, as he is coming out to the water…" – Why was he coming out to the water?...
Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Click here to receive the weekly parsha by email each week. Parashat Shemot THE DAUGHTER OF PHARAOH CAME DOWN TO BATHE IN THE NILE. SHE SPIED THE BASKET AMONG THE REEDS AND SENT HER SLAVE GIRL TO FETCH IT. WHEN SHE OPENED IT, SHE SAW THAT IT WAS A CHILD, A BOY CRYING. SHE TOOK PITY UPON IT AND SAID, "THIS MUST BE A HEBREW CHILD." THEN HIS SISTER SAID TO PHARAOH'S DAUGHTER, "SHALL I GO AND GET YOU A HEBREW NURSE TO SUCKLE THE CHILD FOR...