At the end of this week’s Parsha we come across an interesting story. A man, born to a Jewish mother (from the Tribe of Dan) and an Egyptian father, gets into an argument with one of the other Jews. In the course of the disagreement he pronounces the name of Hashem and curses Him. The… Continue reading Taking Responsibility
Tag: Midrash
I am, therefore I must think.
Descartes was wrong. He said “I think, therefore I am,” but in this week’s Parsha we see otherwise. This week, we have a double Parsha of Vayakhel and Pekudei. In Vayakhel, it talks about how Hashem filled Betzalel, Oholiav and all of their helpers with the wisdom necessary to construct the Mishkan and its vessels.… Continue reading I am, therefore I must think.
Interconnected Pieces
[This Dvar Torah is based on an idea I heard from Rabbi Yaakov Hillel when he was in Los Angeles a few months ago.] This week’s parsha discusses the construction of the Mishkan and all of its vessels in great detail. Hashem tells Moshe to create two poles made out of acacia wood and covered… Continue reading Interconnected Pieces
Don’t be a donkey
This week’s Parsha is filled with many events such as the last three plagues, the Mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh, and Tefillin and much more. But today we are going to skip over most of the Parsha and dive into what it means to “Harden Parohs heart”. So what is the Torah telling us when it… Continue reading Don’t be a donkey
“…the remaining camp shall survive”
VaYishlach 5770 “Jacob became very frightened, and it distressed him. So he divided the people with him, and the flocks, cattle, and camels, into two camps. For he said, ‘If Eisav comes to the one camp and strikes it down, then the remaining camp shall survive’” (Bereishis 32:8-9). The Ramban explains based on a Midrash,… Continue reading “…the remaining camp shall survive”
Famine
This week’s portion brings us to the life of Avram. Avram obeys G-d’s command to leave his place of dwelling, and eventually arrives at Canaan. After Canaan, we are told that Avram pitches his tent with Beth El on the west and the Ai on the east. And then Avram goes down to Egypt. ויסע אברם הלוך… Continue reading Famine