 
 
 |
Hebrew Institute of Riverdale
is a proud member of the
Orthodox Union.
|
PARSHAT NITZAVIM/VAYELEKH TESHUVAH: GOD'S RETURN TO US SEPTEMBER 11-12, 2009 / 23 ELUL 5769 Parshat Netzavim is replete with the message of teshuvah (repentance). Teshuvah is most often associated with our return to God. PARSHAT KI TAVO DISCOVERING THE TRUE NATURE OF OUR SINS SEPTEMBER 4-5, 2009 / 16 ELUL 5769 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 AUGUST 28-29, 2009/ 9 ELUL 5769 One of the most esoteric laws in the Torah is yibum, the law of the Levirate marriage. PARSHAT SHOFTIM EACH ONE OF US IS LIKE THE TREE OF THE FIELD AUGUST 21-22, 2009/ 2 ELUL 5769 The Torah's sympathetic attitude toward ecology surfaces in a law legislating conduct during war. This week's portion states: "When you besiege a" PARSHAT RE'EH THE DIFFERENT MEANINGS OF RE'EH AUGUST 14-15, 2009/ 25 AV 5769 The first word in our portion re-eh is one of the most powerful terms found in the Torah. PARSHAT EKEV THE TWO SIDED COIN OF TEFILLAH AUGUST 7-8, 2009/ 18 AV 5769 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. I can still remember Reb Chaim calling out PARSHAT VAETCHANAN THE CHALLENGES OF LIFE IN EXILE JULY 31-AUGUST 1, 2009/ 11 AV 5769 This week's portion presents a grim forecast of the Jews' fortune. God says that following their entry into the land PARSHAT DEVARIM THE NATURE AND STRUCTURE OF THE BOOK OF DEVARIM JULY 24-25, 2009/ 4 AV 5769 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 PARSHAT MATOT-MASEI THE VALUE OF LIVING IN THE LAND OF ISRAEL JULY 17-18, 2009 / 26 TAMMUZ 5769 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 PINHAS MOSHE, YEHOSHUA AND LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP JULY 10-11, 2009 / 19 TAMMUZ 5769 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 PARSHAT HUKAT THE LIMITATIONS OF THE HUMAN MIND JULY 3-4, 2009 / 2 TAMMUZ 5769 There are differing opinions concerning the meaning of hok (commonly translated as statute), the type oflaw discussed at the beginning of this week's portion. (Numbers 19) PARSHAT KORACH THE ROLE OF MIRACLES IN THE PROCESS OF BELIEF JUNE 26-27, 2009 / 5 TAMUZ 5769 I've often heard people say, "if only God would reveal Himself miraculously" PARSHAT SHELAKH THE KEY TO ISRAEL'S EVERLASTING HOLINESS JUNE 19-20, 2009 / 28 SIVAN 5769 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 12-13, 2009 / 21 SIVAN 5769 Moshe (Moses) had many qualities that we should emulate. Yet, the quality that he was possibly the most famous for was his humility. This week's portion tells us of PARSHAT NASO GOD'S SPECIAL LOVE FOR THE CONVERT JUNE 5-6, 2009/ 14 SIVAN 5769 If a thief robs by violence, swears falsely and then confesses his guilt, the Torah tells us that he is liable to return the value of the object plus an additional one-fifth to the plaintiff. SHAVUOT FORSHPEIS A TASTE OF TORAH IN HONOR OF YOM TOV THE PARALLEL NATURE OF DIVINE AND HUMAN LOVE MAY 29-30, 2009 / 6-7 SIVAN 5769 Shavuot is a celebration of that moment when we, the Jewish people, were wed to God. Note the parallel between that moment and the wedding of bride and groom. PARSHAT BAMIDBAR THE LINK BEWTEEN PARSHAT BAMIDBAR AND THE HOLIDAY OF SHAVUOT MAY 22-23, 2009 / 29 IYAR 5769 This week's parsha, Bamidbar is always read on the Shabbat prior to the Shavuot holiday. This year is no different. Rabbi Isaiah Halevy Horowitz, PARSHAT BEHAR-BECHUKOTAI WHY DO THE GOOD SUFFER? MAY 15-16, 2009 / 22 IYAR 5769 One of this week's parshiot clearly states that good people are rewarded while evil people are punished. In the words of the Torah: "If you keep my commandments...then I will give your " PARSHAT EMOR EYE FOR AN EYE: THE INTERDEPENDENCE OF WRITTEN AND ORAL LAW MAY 8-9, 2009/ 15 IYAR 5769 In this week's portion, the Torah proclaims the famous dictum "eye for an eye." (Leviticus 24:20) The message seems clear. If one takes PARSHAT AHAREI MOT - KEDOSHIM OUR MISSION TO TURN PASSIVE FATE INTO ACTIVE DESTINY MAY 1-2, 2009/ 8 IYAR 5769 Why were Nadav and Avihu, two of Ahron's (Aaron) sons killed? The Torah states their death came when they brought an eish zarah, a foreign fire, into the PARSHAT TAZRIA-METZORA THE POWER OF SPEECH APRIL 24-25, 2009 / 1 IYAR 5769 Leprosy, the subject of one of our parshiot this week, is traditionally associated with the sin of slander. Thus, there is a similarity between the Hebrew word for PARSHAT SHEMINI THE WONDERFUL AND DESTRUCTIVE NATURE OF WINE APRIL 17-18, 2009 / 24 NISAN 5759 Aaron the High Priest is told by God in this week's portion not to drink wine before officiating in the Tabernacle. (Leviticus 10:9) PASSOVER 5769 CHAD GADYA AS A MEANINGFUL END TO THE PESACH SEDER APRIL 8-16, 2009 / 14-22 NISAN 5769 At first glance, Chad Gadya is a kind of light hearted song whose sole purpose is to provide an entertaining ending to the seder. Yet, in order to truly understand its meaning an analysis of the structure of the seder is required. PARSHAT TZAV NO ONE IS ABOVE TAKING OUT THE GARBAGE APRIL 3-4, 2009 / 10 NISSAN 5769 Our parsha informs us that the priests' first task of the day was to remove the ashes from the offering sacrificed the previous day. (Leviticus 6:3) PARSHAT VAYIKRA TWO TYPES OF LOVE OF GOD FOR THE JEWISH PEOPLE MARCH 27-28, 2009 / 3 NISAN 5769 The Book of Leviticus opens with the word Va-yikra, "and He [the Lord] called." (Leviticus 1:1) Rashi points out that va-yikra is a term of endearment. PARSHAT VAYAKHEL-PIKUDEI SANCTITY OF TIME IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT THAN SANCTITY OF PLACE MARCH 20-21, 2009/ 25 ADAR 5769 The last two portions of the Book of Exodus apply and repeat information found in previous passages of the Torah. In Parshat VaYakhel, the Tabernacle is constructed in its detail PARSHAT KI TISA THE PROPER REACTION TO ANOTHER'S CONFUSED STATE OF BELIEF MARCH 13-14, 2009/ 18 ADAR 5769 As Moshe (Moses) descends the mountain, aware that the Jews had made the golden calf, Joshua awaits him. Hearing noise coming from the camp, Joshua tells Moshe that he hears the PARSHAT TETZAVEH HOW DO WE USE THE HONOR WE ARE GIVEN? MARCH 6-7, 2009 / 11 ADAR 5769 This week's portion deals primarily with the priestly garments. Right at the outset, the Torah states that they were worn by the Priest for "honor" (kavod). PARSHAT TERUMAH THE MEANING OF THE CROWNS ATOP THE ARK, TABLE AND ALTAR 4 ADAR 5769 / FEBRUARY 27-28, 2009 The Torah informs us that the Ark (Aron-Exodus 25:11), the Table (Shulhan –Exodus 25:24) and the Altar of Incense PARSHAT MISHPATIM/SHEKALIM THE INTEGRAL CONNECTION BETWEEN PRAYER AND ACTION FEBRUARY 20-21, 2009 / 27 SHEVAT 5769 The Talmud states that the source of prayer is the biblical phrase: "And you shall serve Him with all your heart."?(Deuteronomy 11:13) PARSHAT YITRO EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF JUSTICE FEBRUARY 13-14, 2009/ 20 SHEVAT 5769 Watching Moshe (Moses) judge the Jews from morning to night, Yitro (Jethro), Moshe's father-in-law, offers sound advice.? He tells Moshe that if you continue PARSHAT BESHALACH A SALVATION OF PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH FEBRUARY 6-7, 2009 / 13 SHEVAT 5769 "Where is God?" asked Menahem Mendel of Kotzk, one of the great Hasidic masters. "Everywhere," replied his PARSHAT BO IS SLAVERY A TORAH VALUE? JANUARY 30-31, 2009/ 6 SHEVAT 5769 As the Jews are leaving Egypt, God commands them to sacrifice the Paschal lamb. Following that commandment, a PARSHAT VAARA THE GATEWAY TO THE SOUL IS THROUGH LOVE JANUARY 23-24, 2009 / 28 TEVET 5769 On most occasions when the Torah states that God issues a command, the details of the directive are spelled out. Our portion offers an exception to the rule. The text reads, "and the Lord spoke to Moshe (Moses)" PARSHAT SHEMOT SENSITIVITY TO OTHERS WHEN ENCOUNTERING GOD JANUARY 16-17, 2009 / 21 TEVET 5769 Just before Moshe (Moses) sees the burning bush (sneh), the Torah tells us that he leads his flock to the farthest end (ahar) of the desert.(Exodus 3:1) PARSHAT VAYECHI THE ROLE OF ANGER JANUARY 9-10, 2009 / 14 TEVET 5769 Why does Yaacov (Jacob) in his blessings to Shimon and Levi say that they will be scattered amongst all of Israel? (Genesis 49:7)?? PARSHAT VAYIGASH THE COMPLEX NATURE OF FAMILY REUNION JANUARY 2-3, 2009/ 7 TEVET 5769 In this week's reading, Yosef (Joseph) reveals himself to his brothers with the simple words? PARSHAT MIKETZ - A CHANUKAH REFLECTION SPIRIT: A NECESSARY COMPONENT OF TRUE STRENGTH DECEMBER 26-27, 2008 / 30 KISLEV 5769 It is well known that on the first day of Chanukah one candle is lit. On each successive night, one more is kindled.?? PARSHAT VAYESHEV A CHANUKAH MESSAGE: NOT USURPING THE ROLES OF OTHERS DECEMBER 19-20, 2008 / 23 KISLEV 5769 Chanukah celebrates the miracle of the Hasmonean victory over the Syrian Greeks. What is forgotten is that their dynasty did not last. Why not? PARSHAT VAYISHLACH THE SPIRITUAL CHALLENGE IS GREATER THAN THE PHYSICAL DECEMBER 12-13, 2008 / 16 KISLEV 5769 One of the most powerful images in the Torah is that of Yaakov (Jacob) struggling with a mysterious being (ish) before his anxiously awaited meeting with hisbrother Esav (Esau). PARSHAT VAYETZE TRANSFORMING THE IMPOSSIBLE INTO THE POSSIBLE DECEMBER 5-6, 2008 / 9 KISLEV 5769 Although we are given a tremendous amount of information about their lives, it is certain that not every event in the lives of our matriarchs and patriarchs is mentioned in the Torah. PARSHAT TOLDOT RIVKAH?S EXAMPLE OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE NOVEMBER 28-29, 2008 / 2 KISLEV 5769 As Ya?akov (Jacob) leaves his parents? home at the behest of his mother Rivka (Rebecca), the Torah declares that Rivkah was the mother of both Ya?akov and Esav (Esau) (Genesis 28:5). PARSHAT HAYEI SARAH THE PARTICULAR IS THE ROAD TO THE UNIVERSAL NOVEMBER 21-22, 2008 / 24 HESHVAN 5769 The two portions preceding this week's reading have two distinct characteristics. The portion of Lekh Lekha is PARSHAT VAYERA AN ALTERNATIVE VIEW OF THE BINDING OF ISAAC NOVEMBER 14-15, 2008 / 17 HESHVAN 5769 Years back, a Hebrew Christian approached me, arguing that his belief in Jesus had something to do with the binding of Isaac story.?Jesus, he suggested, was able to do what Yitzhak (Isaac) could not.? PARSHAT LEKH LEKHA THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SARAH AND AVRAHAM'S JOURNEY TO EGYPT NOVEMBER 7-8, 2008 / 10 HESHVAN 5769 What makes the story of Avraham (Abraham) and Sarah going to Egypt important enough to be included in the Genesis narrative? (Genesis 12:10-20) PARSHAT NOAH DIVINE INTERVENTION IN THE LAND OF ISRAEL OCOTBER 31-NOVEMBER 1, 2008/ 3 HESHVAN 5769 The picture of Noah's ark in children's books with a giraffe neck up, hanging out of the ark, speaks to a fundamental question. How did all the animals, PARSHAT BEREISHIT THE IMAGE OF GOD IN ALL OF US: LESSONS AND CHALLENGES OCOTBER 24-25, 2008/26 TISHREI 5769 While some maintain that the human being is only physical form, the Torah, in one of its most important sentences, insists that every person is also created in the image of God "tzelem Elokim" (Genesis 1:26,27). A TASTE OF TORAH IN HONOR OF SUKKOT THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF UNITY OCTOBER 14-22, 2008/15-23 TISHREI 5769 There is a common thread throughout the Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, Hoshanah Rabbah and Simchat Torah festivals - a thread that binds our people. PARSHAT HA'AZINU THE MEANING OF TESHUVA OCTOBER 10-11, 2008 / 12 TISHREI 5769 The central theme of Yom Kippur is teshuva, commonly translated as "repentance." We hear so much about this term, but what, in fact does it truly mean? PARSHAT NITZAVIM THE MEANING OF THE VOICE OF THE SHOFAR SEPTEMBER 26-27, 2008 / 27 ELUL 5768 The portion Nitzavim, is replete with urgings to return to God. A term which jumps from the text, is one describing God's hope that we, the Jewish people, would hearken to His voice "li-shmoah be-kolo." We have previous Weekly Divrei Torahs, just click here: |
© Hebrew Institute of Riverdale. All rights reserved 2001-9/5770Comments to webmaster