Judaism


Eretz Yisrael Yomi: Pekudei

Young Religious Zionist Torah scholars connect the parasha to Eretz Yisrael.

Eretz Yisrael Yomi: Pekudei

The Real Value of the Mishkan

Gur Aryeh [a supercommentary on Rashi written circa. 1550] asks the obvious–the Torah has just spent hundreds of Pesukim describing the building of the Mishkan, and all that went in to it, and finally, at the culmination of the process, when the last details and accountings are being presented to the Jews–the Torah chooses to allude to the eventual destruction of it all.

The Real Value of the Mishkan

Transparency & Gratitude

The whole process of building the tabernacle is only a stage in reaching the real thing, building the Temple.

Transparency & Gratitude

Talking Parsha - Pekudei: Why "Set up" the Mishkan??

As we conclude the book of Shemot and the construction of the Mishkan, Hashem instructs Moshe to set it up. A notable emphasis is placed on the verb "setting up" (קום) in the Torah.

Pekudei: Why "Set up" the Mishkan??

Our relationship with money

The day Moses became a bookkeeper.

Our relationship with money

The largest recruitment of Yeshiva students in history

Where do these people come from? From a great perception of Torah, which we call "the Torah of the Land of Israel" in the way of Rabbi Kook.

The largest ever recruitment of Yeshiva students

Shmot: The book of human judgment

The book of Shemot ends on a triumphant note.

Shmot: The book of human judgment

Moshe could not enter the Tent of Assemby

At the end of the Book of Shmot, Moshe cannot enter the Tent of Assembly and the shechina has not yet spoken with him!

Moshe could not enter the Tent of Assemby

The Parsha and Current Events: The King’s scepter

The best of all choices is to thank Hashem for returning us to Eretz Yisrael, a holy home that we can love and defend in all circumstances.

The Parsha and Current Events: The King’s scepter

Tanya video/lecture: The Holy Epistle

An in depth study of the ancient works of of the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi.

Tanya video/lecture: The Holy Epistle

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch on the parsha: Enmeshed in darkness

Why couldn’t the Jews erect the Mishkan at night?

Rabbi Hirsch on the parsha: Enmeshed in darkness

A powerful Brit Milah

We cried over the fact that Yehonatan was not there but also celebrated Aviyah and his family’s resolve to continue raising their children with the timeless traditions of the Jewish people.

A powerful Brit Milah

What would Moses think of us today?

What would he say about the abysmal lack of knowledge about Judaism of so many Jews?

What would Moses think of us today?

Who should we fear more, Biden or God?

With all respect to you, Joe Biden, who are you to tell us not to route out evil? With all respect to you, Netanyahu, who do you fear more, Biden or God?

Who should we fear more, Biden or God?

Matan Rosh Hodesh Adar 2 Torah Essay: This year, we are all Esther

Esther teaches us that when the nation faces an existential threat, the rules of pikuach nefesh change. Megillat Esther helps us understand how Jewish law views the sacrifice of our soldiers.

Rosh Chodesh Essay: This year, we are all Esther

The bombshell

Rabbi Yitschak Yossef's statements must be understood in the context of how the issue of haredi draft is being used for politial ends. In truth, for the IDF, the enlistment of ten-thousand Haredim would be more of a headache than a salvation.

The bombshell

Sanctifying time

In human behavior and thought, time is as important as wealth or location or the accomplishment of any human deeds.

Sanctifying time

If you have skills, use them

Whatever skill we might have, we must ask ourselves, how we can use it for G-d?

If you have skills, use them

Vayakhel: Stars in the Tabernacle

Israel's first Chief Rabbi: The structure of the Tabernacle corresponded to the entire universe.

Vayakhel: Stars in the Tabernacle

Shabbat as the vehicle to build the Temple, and keep the flame of hope alive

After thousands of years of no homeland, no Beit Hamikdash, exile and persecution, our National Identity in the metaphysical sense has been the mitzvah of Shabbat – it warms the heart and soul of the Jewish people like no other.

Building the Temple, keeping the flame of hope alive

A cover-up of Biblical proportions

A tribute to my dear student Nadiv.

A cover-up of Biblical proportions

Talking Parsha - Vayakhel: Why was Bezalel chosen??

Why does Moshe introduce Bezalel by saying, 'Look?' Where was Bezalel summoned, and what meaning does his summoning have for us today?

Parashat Vayakhel: Why was Bezalel chosen??

To cherish and to honor

Subtle shifts in the order of commandments let us glean a profound lesson.

To cherish and to honor

Vayakhel: The assembly of atonement

The whole of Hashem’s wish in the offerings of the Mishkan was as an atonement for the sin of the calf, to thereby again cleave to Hashem. Careful reading shows that.

Vayakhel: The assembly of atonement

The true meaning of Shalom: Shabbat for Israel

From the entrance to Kibbutz Be’eri in southern Israel, a message for Shabbat Shalom.

The true meaning of Shalom: Shabbat for Israel

Parshat Shekalim: One nation with one destiny

Jews the world over, estranged for decades if not generations, have been forced to return to the Jewish body, to recognise that their destiny is Jewish destiny.

Parshat Shekalim: One nation with one destiny

Vayakhel: And he gathered

Gather together and come home voluntarily before it becomes impossible.

Vayakhel: And he gathered

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch on the parsha: Mirrors in the Mishkan

G-d wants us to sanctify the physical, not shun it.

Rabbi Hirsch on the parsha: Mirrors in the Mishkan

Important themes of Rav Yitzchok Hutner's teachings

Part 3: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Founders and Pillars of the Jewish People.

Important themes of Rav Yitzchok Hutner's teachings

Tanya video/lecture- The Holy Epistle

The Tanya compacts four millennia of Jewish wisdom to answer the great personal and existential questions of life.

Tanya video/lecture- The Holy Epistle

The Director behind the scenes

We rarely experience evident miracles; we need to realize that though His Hand is not visible, Hashem directs behind the scenes.

The Director behind the scenes

Rav Tzvi Yehuda Kook on the enlistment of Yeshiva students

Heaven forbid that every yeshiva student go into the army! And Heaven forbid that none of them go!

Rav Tzvi Yehuda on IDF service of Yeshiva students

Ki Tisa: Moses' sapphire quarry

Israel's first Chief Rabbi: Moses, it turns out, was fabulously wealthy. Why is that significant?

Ki Tisa: Moses' sapphire quarry

Parshat Tetzaveh: The National Spirit of Sacrifice of Am Yisrael

Ultimately, the spirit of sacrifice for Am Yisrael that Moshe represented was baked into the national identity of the Nation of Israel.

The National Spirit of Sacrifice of Am Yisrael

Talking Parsha - Ki Tisa: Moshe's mask - what's the story??

In the final passages of the Parsha, Moshe descends from Mount Sinai carrying the new Luchot. However, his return is marked by a striking physical transformation.

Moshe's mask - what's the story??

Why breaking the Tablets was Moses' greatest accomplishment

"The world breaks everyone, and afterwards some are stronger in the broken places.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Breaking the Tablets was Moses' greatest moment

What was the Sin of the Golden Calf?

if all this was the work of the non-Jewish erev rav, why were Bnei Israel so severely punished?

What was the Sin of the Golden Calf?

Ki Tisa: The real you Is perfect

Our sages taught that when we repent properly, even deliberate sins are turned into merits.

Ki Tisa: The real you Is perfect

Ki Tisa: A joint effort

This Parashah represents a climax - Am Yisrael was extracted from Egypt, Moshe is about to conclude receiving the Torah, and then comes the crash - Bnei Yisrael slide back to idol worship. What went wrong?

Ki Tisa:  A joint effort

Ki Tisa: Favoritism and Tikun Olam

The chances of a national state of Indians in the heartland of America are more probable than a “Palestinian” state bordering on Israel. Never!

Ki Tisa: Favoritism and Tikun Olam

Our need for personal growth

Hashem creates us together with ourselves. He begins the process; we complete it.

Our need for personal growth

Freeing hostages vs. winning the war - a rabbinic perspective

Interview with Rav Dr. Ido Rechnitz, co author of Jewish Military Ethics. A Rabbinic perspective on our painful, national moral dilemma of ‘freeing hostages versus a winning a military offensive.

Hostage deals - a rabbinic perspective

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch on the parsha: Want to be free?

The Torah enables us to rise above the natural order.

Rav Samson R. Hirsch on the parsha: Want to be free?

Tanya/ Iggeres Ha’Kodesh - The Holy Epistle: video/lecture

The Tanya compacts four millennia of Jewish wisdom to answer the great personal and existential questions of life.

Tanya/ Iggeres Ha’Kodesh: vIdeo/lecture

“Jewish Tradition” – A monumental new book

“Jewish Tradition” is for everyone. For secular Jews, new baalei tshuva, and would-be converts, the book is like a mini encyclopedia. For others, it is enlightening because it explains Torat Eretz Yisrael.

“Jewish Tradition” – A monumental new book

Important themes of Rav Yitzchok Hutner's teachings

Part 2: Stages and Patterns of World and Jewish History

Important themes of Rav Yitzchok Hutner's teachings

My body is a home for my soul

Most things are a home for another thing, the entire world is a house for G-d.

My body is a home for my soul

Living in Hashem’s world

Hashem’s ownership of the world also gives Him the right to set the conditions for its existence.

Living in Hashem’s world

What my son’s Bar Mitzvah means for Israel.

There is so much darkness in the world but the light of the Jewish people has never been brighter.

What my son’s Bar Mitzvah means for Israel.

Tetzaveh: Beyond the Holy

hy should the phrase “Holy to God” be split into two lines?

Tetzaveh: Beyond the Holy

Parshat Tetzaveh: The might of the Shoham Stones

The High Priest, as the messenger of the united force of the Jewish People, bore these two stones on his shoulders, to highlight that when Jews are united in their service to G-d, they cannot be defeated.

The might of the Shoham Stones

Are you a sun or a moon?

The Jewish Leap Year Challenges Us to Integrate Creativity and Consistency.

Are you a sun or a moon?

Purim Katan: Did you know about the minor festivals taking place this weekend?

Did you know that this Friday and Shabbat there are some minor festivals on the Jewish calendar?

Do you know  the minor festivals this weekend?

Talking Parsha - Tetzaveh: Stones of Remembrance??

The stones on the shoulders of the apron, and the stones on the breastplate, both serve as reminders. What significance does this hold? And why the emphasis on remembrance?

Talking Parsha - Tetzaveh: Stones of Remembrance??

The connecting Altar

The Zohar explains the Ketoret, Incense, comes from the idea of tying, creating a bond between us and Hashem.

The connecting Altar

Lessons in the Parsha related to Eretz Yisrael

Young Religious Zionist Torah scholars teach the connections between this week's Torah Reading and the Holy Land.

Lessons in the Parsha related to Eretz Yisrael




























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