Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Click here to receive the weekly parsha by email each week. Parshat Ki Tavo WHEN YOU ENTER THE LAND THAT THE LORD YOUR GOD IS GIVING YOU AS A HERITAGE, AND YOU POSSESS IT AND SETTLE IN IT, YOU SHALL TAKE SOME OF EVERY FIRST FRUIT OF THE SOIL, WHICH YOU HARVEST FROM THE LAND THAT THE LORD YOUR GOD IS GIVING YOU, PUT IT IN A BASKET AND GO TO THE PLACE WHERE THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL CHOOSE TO ESTABLISH HIS NAME. (Devarim 26:1-2) ...
Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Click here to receive the weekly parsha by email each week. Parshat Ki Tetseh IF, ALONG THE ROAD, YOU CHANCE UPON A BIRD'S NEST, IN ANY TREE OR ON THE GROUND, WITH FLEDGLINGS OR EGGS AND THE MOTHER SITTING OVER THE FLEDGLINGS OR ON THE EGGS, DO NOT TAKE THE MOTHER TOGETHER WITH HER YOUNG. SEND THE MOTHER AWAY, AND TAKE ONLY THE YOUNG, IN ORDER THAT YOU MAY FARE WELL AND HAVE A LONG LIFE. (Devarim 22:6-7) Send the mother away – a Scriptural Decree...
Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Click here to receive the weekly parsha by email each week. Parshat Shoftim IF SOMEONE SLAIN IS FOUND IN THE LAND THAT THE LORD YOUR GOD IS ASSIGNING TO YOU TO POSSESS, LYING OUT IN THE OPEN, THE IDENTITY OF THE SLAYER NOT BEING KNOWN… (Devarim 21:1) If someone slain is found: "But not in times when is commonplace" (Sifri). This commandment is observed in times when laws are enforced and murder and killing are rare, when a slain body on the ground is something...
Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Click here to receive the weekly parsha by email each week. Parshat Reeh BE CAREFUL TO OBSERVE ALL THAT I ENJOIN UPON YOU; NEITHER ADD TO IT NOR TAKE AWAY FROM IT. (Devarim 13:1) Neither add to it – five sections in tefillin, five types of plant in a lulav, four priestly blessings. (Rashi Devarim 13:1) All – This connects with that which was written above it – not to...
Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Click here to receive the weekly parsha by email each week. Parshat Ekev I SAW THAT YOU HAD SINNED AGAINST THE LORD YOUR GOD: YOU MADE YOURSELVES A MOLTEN CALF; YOU HAD BEEN QUICK TO STRAY FROM THE PATH THAT THE LORD HAD ENJOINED UPON YOU. (Devarim 9:16) The question is worth considering why Aaron, who was given a completely free hand in the choice of the form, should have just chosen that of a calf… But we have already had the opportunity on several occasions...
Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Click here to receive the weekly parsha by email each week. Parshat Vaetchanan Our Father Who is in heaven, Rock of Israel and its Redeemer, King to Whom peace belongs, Bless Your children, lovers of their people and land, Some of whom say it is a time for planting Some of whom say it is a time for uprooting, Some of whom say it is a time to build, Some of whom say it is a time to tear down And they increase disagreement for the sake...
Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Click here to receive the weekly parsha by email each week. Parshat Devarim ONLY OG KING OF BASHAN WAS LEFT OF THE REMAINING REFAIM. HIS BEDSTEAD, AN IRON BEDSTEAD, IN NOW IN RABBAH OF THE AMMONITES; IT IS NINE CUBITS LONG AND FOUR CUBITS WIDE, BY THE FORE-ARM OF A MAN. (Devarim 3:11) An iron bedstead – When he was young he was very strong and when he lay down he would break a wooden bedstead. That is why they made it out of iron. But...
Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Click here to receive the weekly parsha by email each week. Parshat Mas'ey THESE WERE THE MARCHES OF THE ISRAELITES WHO STARTED OUT FROM THE LAND OF EGYPT, TROOP BY TROOP, IN THE CHARGE OF MOSES AND AARON. (Bamidbar 33:1) The Significance of Recounting the Marches – What is Important to Remember? It is comparable to a king whose son was ill, and he took him to a far away place to cure him. When they started home, his father began recounting all of the legs...
Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Click here to receive the weekly parsha by email each week. Parshat Matot AND MOSES SAID TO THE CHILDREN OF GAD AND TO THE CHILDREN OF REUVEN: "SHALL YOUR BROTHERS COME TO WAR WHILE YOU SIT HERE?" (Bamidbar 32:6) Shall your brothers come to war Usually Scripture uses the expression "went out to war" , while the expression "came to war" is unusual. Moses uses the latter when addressing the children of Gad and the children of Reuven: Shall your brothers come to...
Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Click here to receive the weekly parsha by email each week. Parshat Pinchas SAY, THEREFORE, "I WILL GRANT HIM MY PACT OF PEACE." (Bamidbar 25:1) I will grant him My pact of peace – The gift of peace as reward or as a "preventive treatment" against corruption of character. Peace is an unsurpassed good because it includes al types of spiritual accomplishments and eternal happiness. That is why the priests' blessing to Israel ends with peace. No one achieves peace through his own efforts alone, but...