Shabbat Forshpeis
A Taste of Torah in Honor of Shabbat
Previous Divrei Torah
PARSHAT NITZAVIM
TESHUVAH: GOD'S RETURN TO US
SEPTEMBER 30-31, 2005 / 27 ELUL 5765
Parshat Netzavim is replete with the message of teshuvah (repentance).
Teshuvah is
PARSHAT KI TAVO
DISCOVERING THE TRUE NATURE OF OUR SINS
SEPTEMBER 23-24, 2005 / 20 ELUL 5765
This week's portion includes the law of viduy ma'asrot-confession
of the tithes.
PARSHAT KI TETZE
YIBUM: INDIVIDUALS ENGAGED IN ACTS OF KINDNESS
ARE DESTINED TO REDEEM THE WORLD
SEPTEMBER 16-17 2005/ 13 ELUL 5765
One of the most esoteric laws in the Torah is yibum,
the law of the Levirate marriage.
The Torah
PARSHAT SHOFTIM
EACH ONE OF US IS LIKE THE TREE OF THE FIELD
SEPTEMBER 9-10, 2005/ 6 ELUL 5765
The Torah's sympathetic attitude toward ecology surfaces
in a law legislating conduct during war. This week's
portion states:
PARSHAT RE'EH
THE DIFFERENT MEANINGS OF RE'EH
SEPTEMBER 2-3, 2005/ 29 AV 5765
The first word in our portion re-eh is one of the most powerful
terms found in the Torah. In fact, God is described as a ro-eh
on three different levels.
PARSHAT EKEV
THE TWO SIDED COIN OF TEFILLAH
AUGUST 26-27, 2005/22 AV 5765
As a child I attended Yeshiva Torah Vodaath. Every day when coming
to morning services I was mesmerized by an older man named
Rabbi Chaim Gelb.
PARSHAT VAETCHANAN
THE CHALLENGES OF LIFE IN EXILE
AUGUST 19-20, 2005/ 15 AV 5765
This week's portion presents a grim forecast of the Jews' fortune.
God says that following their entry into the land of Israel,
the Jews
PARSHAT DEVARIM
THE NATURE AND STRUCTURE OF THE BOOK OF DEVARIM
AUGUST 12-13, 2005/8 AV 5765
At first glance, the portion of Devarim is a random recapitulation
of events the Jews experienced in the desert. It seems
unstructured and repetitive. Yet, a closer look reveals
that there is a logical form at work.
PARSHAT MASEI
THE VALUE OF LIVING IN THE LAND OF ISRAEL
AUGUST 5-6, 2005 / 1 AV 5765
The portion of Masei includes the sentence that speaks to
the commandment of living in Israel. The key phrase is "and
you shall take possession of
the land and dwell therein." (Numbers 33:53)
PARSHAT MATOT
ONE ACTION CAN MAKE ALL OF THE DIFFERENCE
JULY 29-30, 2005/ 23 TAMMUZ 5765
In this week's portion, Moshe (Moses) gives to the tribe of
Reuven, the tribe of Gad and half of the tribe of Menasseh
the entire Kingdom of Og,
ruler of Bashan. (Numbers 32:33)
PARSHAT PINHAS
MOSHE, YEHOSHUA AND LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
JULY 22-23, 2005 / 16 TAMMUZ 5765
After being told that he will soon die, Moshe (Moses) asks God to
appoint a successor so that the Jews "not be as sheep that have
no shepherd." (Numbers 27:17) God responds by telling Moshe
to appoint
Yehoshua (Joshua).
PARSHAT BALAK
ELEVATING SPEECH TO A LEVEL OF HOLINESS
JULY 15-16, 2005 / 9 TAMMUZ 5765
Did Bilaam's donkey (aton)
really talk?
PARSHAT HUKAT
THE LIMITATIONS OF THE HUMAN MIND
JULY 8-9 2005 / 2 TAMMUZ 5765
There are differing opinions concerning the meaning
of
hok (commonly translated as statute),
PARSHAT KORACH
THE ROLE OF MIRACLES IN THE PROCESS OF BELIEF
JULY 1-2, 2005 / 25 SIVAN 5765
I've often heard people say, "if only God would
reveal
Himself miraculously, Jews would believe
today much like
they did when God performed
wonders in
Egypt and in the desert."
PARSHAT SHELAKH
THE KEY TO ISRAEL'S EVERLASTING HOLINESS
JUNE 24-25 2005 / 18 SIVAN 5765
In this week's portion, Moshe sends forth spies to
search out the land of Israel. This is the first step
leading to the conquest
of the land.
PARSHAT BEHA'ALOTKHA
THE TRUE ROOT OF HUMILITY
JUNE 17-18, 2005 / 11 SIVAN 5765
Moshe (Moses) had many qualities that we should
emulate.
Yet, the quality that
PARSHAT NASO
GOD'S SPECIAL LOVE FOR THE CONVERT
JUNE 10-11, 2005/ 4 SIVAN 5765
If a thief robs by violence, swears falsely
and then confesses his guilt,
the Torah tells us that he is
PARSHAT BAMIDBAR
THE GREAT IMPORTANCE OF COUNTING
JUNE 3-4 2005 / 26 IYAR 5765
This week's portion contains a counting of
the Jewish people.
Nachmanides offers
PARSHAT BECHUKOTAI
WHY DO THE GOOD SUFFER?
MAY 27-28, 2005 / 19 IYAR 5765
This week's portion clearly states that good
people are rewarded while evil people
are punished.
PARSHAT BEHAR
STAYING CLOSE INFUSES LIFE
MAY 20-21, 2005 / 12 IYAR 5765
In this week's prophetic portion, Jeremiah
prophesied about the destruction
of the First Temple.
PARSHAT EMOR
EYE FOR AN EYE: THE INTERDEPENDENCE
OF WRITTEN AND ORAL LAW
MAY 13-14, 2005 / 5 IYAR 5765
In this week's portion, the Torah proclaims the
famous dictum "eye for an eye."
(Leviticus 24:20)
PARSHAT KEDOSHIM
THE CORNERSTONE OF LOVE IS THE CAPACITY
TO GIVE TO ONE'S BELOVED
MAY 6-7, 2005/ 28 NISSAN 5765
This weeks portion includes the famous dictum, love
they
neighbor
as thyself--ve-ahavta le-reiakha ka-mokha.
(Leviticus 19:18)
What is the secret to love?
IN HONOR OF SHABBAT AND YOM TOV
A PASSOVER REFLECTION
GOD IS WHERE YOU LET HIM IN
14 NISSAN-22 NISSAN 5765/ APRIL 23-MAY 1, 2005
"Where is God?" asked Menahem Mendel of Kotzk,
one of the
great Hasidic masters. "Everywhere,"
replied his students.
PARSHAT METZORA
A NEW YORK KNICKERBOCKER AND
THE POWER OF SPEECH
APRIL 15-16, 2005 / 7 NISSAN 5765
Leprosy, the subject of our parsha, is traditionally associated with
the
sin of slander.
PARSHAT TAZRIA
THE MEANING OF TUMAH
APRIL 8-9, 2005 / 29 ADAR II 5765
There are many who believe that Jewish
law links a
PARSHAT SHEMINI
THE UNDERLYING MEANING OF
THE LAWS OF KASHRUT
APRIL 1-2, 2005 / 22 ADAR II 5765
In some circles, it is assumed that the laws of kashruth,
the dietary laws, are
related to health.
PARSHAT TZAV
SACRIFICES CELEBRATE OUR LOVE OF GOD
MARCH 25-26, 2005 / 15 ADAR 11 5765
This week's portion continues the theme of the
sacrificial service.
PARSHAT VAYIKRA
A PURIM REFLECTION THE CAPACITY TO CHANGE
IN THE FACE OF POWERFUL ODDS
MARCH 18-19, 2005 / 8 ADAR II 5765
Fundamental to the idea of the korban, which we begin reading about
this week, is the power to
change oneself.
PARSHAT PEKUDEI
THE MEANING OF HAZAK, HAZAK, VE-NITHAZEK
MARCH 11-12, 2005 / 1 ADAR II 5765
The second book of the Torah concludes at the end of
this week's
PARSHAT VAYAKHEL
SANCTITY OF TIME IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT THAN SANCTITY OF PLACE
MARCH 4-5, 2005/ 24 ADAR 1 5765
The last two portions of the Book of Exodus apply and repeat
information found in
PARSHAT KI TISA
THE PROPER REACTION TO ANOTHER'S CONFUSED STATE OF BELIEF
FEBRUARY 25-26, 2005/ 17 ADAR I 5765
As Moshe (Moses) descends the mountain, aware
that the Jews had made the golden calf,
Joshua awaits him.
PARSHAT TETZAVEH
HOW DO WE USE THE HONOR WE ARE GIVEN?
FEBRUARY 18-19, 2005 / 10 ADAR I 5765
This week's portion deals primarily with
the priestly garments.
PARSHAT TERUMAH
THE MEANING OF THE CROWNS ATOP THE ARK, TABLE AND ALTAR
3 ADAR I 5765 / FEBRUARY 11-12, 2005
The Torah informs us that the Ark (Aron - Exodus 25:11), the Table (Shulhan - Exodus 25:24) and the Altar of
Incense (Mizbeiakh Miktar Ketoret - Exodus 30:3)
PARSHAT MISHPATIM
SHOULD ONE EAT AND DRINK AT A TIME OF HOLINESS?
26 SHEVAT 5765 / FEBRUARY 4-5, 2005
As the Jews stood at Mt. Sinai receiving the Torah,
they "ate and drank." (Exodus 24:11)
PARSHAT YITRO
EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF JUSTICE
19 SHEVAT 5765 / JANUARY 28-29, 2005
Watching Moshe (Moses) judge the Jews from morning to night, Yitro (Jethro),
Moshe's father-in-law, offers sound advice.
PARSHAT BESHALAH
THE CHALLENGE OF PROSPERITY
JANUARY 21-22, 2005 / 12 SHEVAT 5765
As the Jews begin their travels through the desert, God causes manna (food)
to fall down from the heavens.
PARSHAT BO
IS SLAVERY A TORAH VALUE?
JANUARY 14-15 2005/ 5 SHEVAT 5765
As the Jews are leaving Egypt, God commands
them to
sacrifice
the Paschal lamb.
PARSHAT VA'ERA
THE GATEWAY TO THE SOUL IS THROUGH LOVE
JANUARY 7-8, 2005 / 27 TEVET 5765
On most occasions when the Torah states that God
issues a command, the details of the directive
are spelled out.
PARSHAT SHEMOT
SENSITIVITY TO OTHERS WHEN ENCOUNTERING GOD
DECEMBER 31, 2004-JANUARY 1, 2005 / 20 TEVET 5765
Just before Moshe (Moses) sees the
burning bush (sneh),
PARSHAT VAYECHI
THE ROLE OF ANGER
DECEMBER 24-25, 2004 / 13 TEVET 5765
Why does Yaacov (Jacob) in his blessings to
Shimon and Levi say that they will
PARSHAT VAYIGASH
THE COMPLEX NATURE OF FAMILY REUNION
DECEMBER 17-18, 2004/ 6 TEVET 5765
In this week's reading, Yosef (Joseph) reveals himself
to his brothers with
PARSHAT MIKETZ
A CHANUKAH REFLECTION
SPIRIT:
A NECESSARY COMPONENT OF TRUE STRENGTH
DECEMBER 10-11 2004 / 28 KISLEV 5765
It is well known that on the first day of
Chanukah one candle is
PARSHAT VAYESHEV
A CHANUKAH MESSAGE: NOT USURPING
THE ROLES OF OTHERS
21 KISLEV 5765 / DECEMBER 3-4, 2004
Chanukah celebrates the miracle of the Hasmonean
victory over the Syrian Greeks.
PARSHAT VAYISHLACH
THE SPIRITUAL CHALLENGE IS GREATER THAN THE PHYSICAL
NOVEMBER 26-27, 2004 / 14 KISLEV 5765
One of the most powerful images in the Torah is that of
Yaakov (Jacob) struggling with a
PARSHAT VA-YETZE
JACOB MEETS RACHEL--TEARS OF JOY, SADNESS
AND AWARENESS THAT NOTHING LASTS FOREVER
NOVEMBER 19-20, 2004 / 7 KISLEV 5765
As Ya'akov (Jacob) flees Esav (Esau) he arrives near
his uncle Laban's home.
PARSHAT TOLDOT
RIVKAH'S EXAMPLE OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
NOVEMBER 12-13, 2004 / 29 CHESHVAN 5765
As Ya'akov (Jacob) leaves his parents' home at the behest
of his mother Rivkah (Rebecca),
PARSHAT HAYEI SARAH
THE PARTICULAR IS THE ROAD TO THE UNIVERSAL
NOVEMBER 5-6, 2004 / 22 HESHVAN 5765
The two portions preceding this week's
reading have two distinct characteristics.
PARSHAT VAYERA
AN ALTERNATIVE VIEW OF THE BINDING OF ISAAC
OCTOBER 29-30, 2004 / 15 HESHVAN 5765
Years back, a Hebrew Christian
approached me,
PARSHAT LEKH LEKHA
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SARAH AND AVRAHAM'S JOURNEY TO EGYPT
OCTOBER 22-23, 2004 / 8 HESHVAN 5765
What makes the story of Avraham (Abraham) and Sarah
going to Egypt
PARSHAT NOAH
DIVINE INTERVENTION IN THE LAND OF ISRAEL
OCOTBER 15-16, 2004/ 1 HESHVAN 5765
The picture of Noah’s ark
in children’s books with a giraffe neck up,
PARSHAT NOA___Test_Page
DIVINE INTERVENTION IN THE LAND OF ISRAEL
OCOTBER 15-16, 2004/ 1 HESHVAN 5765
The picture of Noah’s ark
in children’s books with a giraffe neck up,
SUKKOT: THE SECRET TO HAPPINESS
OCTOBER 1-2, 2004 / 17 TISHREI 5765
Sukkot is the only festival
referred to as Zman Simhateinu,
THE MULTIPLE MEANINGS OF TESHUVAH
SEPTEMBER 24-25, 2004 / 10 TISHREI 5765
The central theme of Yom Kippur
is teshuvah,
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