The First Heroes in Sefer Shemot: The Midwives

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "The First Heroes in Sefer Shemot: The Midwives"

Transcription

1 בס"ד David Jay Derovan Ramat Beit Shemesh The First Heroes in Sefer Shemot: The Midwives This Dvar Torah is based on an essay by HaRav Cha yim Ya akov Goldvicht, "ל,ז the late Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Kerem B Yavneh. From Asufat Ma archot, vol. 3, Shemot, pp The Opening Gambit ה י ל ד ים" (שמות א:יז)... דבר אחר: "ותיראן המילדות," קשטו עצמן למעשה זקנן, זה אברהם, כמה שהקדוש ברוך הוא מעיד עליו (בראשית כב:יב) "כי עתה ידעתי כי ירא אלהים אתה" וגו'. אמרו, "אברהם אבינו עליו השלום פתח לו פונדק, והיה זן את העוברים ואת השבים בני אדם ערלים, ואנו לא דיינו שאין לנו להאכילן, אלא להרוג אותן?! אנו נחייה אותן!" (שמות רבה, וילנא, א:טו) them, but saved the lives of male children (Shemot 1:17)... Another explanation of the midwives feared the Lord: They modeled their conduct on that of their grandfather, namely, Avraham, about whom God testified: For now I know that you are a God-fearing man (Berayshit 22:12). They said, Avraham Avinu, peace be upon him, opened an inn where he fed all wayfarers, even men who were uncircumcised; and as for us, not only do we have nothing to feed them with, but we must kill them?! We will keep them alive! (Midrash Shemot Rabbah 1:15) Avraham Avinu, peace be upon him, opened an inn where he fed all wayfarers, even men who were uncircumcised; and as for us, not only do we have nothing to feed them with, but we must kill them?! We will keep them alive! When our sages said that God took us out of Egypt because of the merit of the righteous women they were certainly referring to the midwives. Our sages do more than make a simple connection between the righteousness of these brave women and that of Avraham Avinu. They actually attribute the motivation of their actions to a comparison between Avraham s Chesed and their opportunity to do Chesed. However, a closer look at the above Midrash raises a number of questions. While the sages indicate that what the midwives did was comparable to Avraham feeding strangers, the verse concerning Avraham that is quoted comes from the episode of the Akedat Yitzchak, the binding of Yitzchak. (See Berayshit 22) If the sages are trying to draw our attention between the parallel fear of God אלקים יראת exhibited by both Avraham and the midwives, then this raises a more serious question: Why is the great? יראת אלקים God act of Chesed done by the midwives called an expression of fear of Love and Awe äàøéå äáäà מצוות ( Mitzvot Ramban (on Shemot 20:8) comments that the root of the active is love of God, while the root of the prohibitive Mitzvot is the awe and fear of God (עשה 2011 David Jay Derovan Please feel free to share this essay with friends and colleagues Your comments, criticisms and suggestions are always welcome

2 Our usual understanding of a statement of this nature is to assume that.(יראת אלקים) we fulfill the active Mitzvot because we love God and we do not violate the prohibitive Mitzvot because we fear God. However, it is possible to understand Ramban s comment on a deeper level. In general, as humans the primary motivation to act is love. We act most enthusiastically when we love to do whatever it is we are about to do. When we are motivated by love, our entire being physical and emotional functions in harmony to accomplish what we set out to do. Indeed, acting out of love sometimes brings to the fore abilities and strengths we did not realize we possess. By the same token, fear and awe are the motivational factors that prevent us from acting. How often have we heard or read the phrase, frozen in fear? More often than not, our fear of getting caught and punished prevents us from violating a whole host of laws. It is this understanding of human nature that Ramban brings to bear on performing God s Mitzvot. The proper motivation for doing as God commanded is to act out of love for Him. This love of God spills out of the framework of Mitzvot into everyday life as acts of Chesed. At the same time, the proper motivation for not violating God s commands is our awe of Him. This is what our sages had in mind when they said, Who is the true hero? He is the one who overcomes his evil inclination (Avot 4:5). It certainly goes without saying that a religious Jew is imbued with healthy doses of both love and awe for God. Double Praise While we all identify with the Ramban s concepts of love and awe, we also realize that our everyday lives are not always filled with those activities that we love to do or that we are absolutely afraid of doing. Most of the activities that fill our day are approached by some combination of love and loathing. For instance, I love to do certain aspects of my job and I do them enthusiastically. Some parts of my job I could do without, as they say. These I do more out of fear than love. If any situation brings out a fuller sense of action motivated more purely or wholly by love or awe, it is a time of intense pressure. When faced with a very difficult, even dangerous, situation we respond out of love or fear, often without even thinking why we are acting in this way. The Jewish midwives in Egypt were under intense pressure to kill all the male newborn children. Nevertheless, they instinctively saved the lives of these children. Indeed, the Midrash goes even further. For those who were poor, the midwives would go to the houses of the rich to collect water and food and give them to the poor and thus kept their children alive. This is what is meant by they saved the lives of male children. (Midrash Shemot Rabbah 1:15) Despite the threat of death that came directly from Pharaoh himself, the midwives acted out of love and Chesed. If so, then why does the verse describe what they did as being motivated by awe of God? ה י ל ד ים" (שמות א:יז) them, but they saved the lives of male children (Shemot 1:17) 2

3 ה ] Look again at the verse and you will see that there is a complex interplay of emotion and action. Their awe and fear of God was so great that it enabled the midwives to overcome their fear of Pharaoh and to proceed to do acts of intense love and kindness. The first phrase of the verse is the midwives feared the Lord but the last phrase is they saved the lives of male children. The inclusion of both phrases in the same verse indicates that both love and awe were functioning together in complete harmony. Love אהבה - and awe יראה became one. This fact was not overlooked by the sages of the Midrash. Here is their version of this idea: ה י ל ד ים" (שמות א:יז)... וכי מאחר שלא עשו כאשר דבר אליהן אין אנו יודעין שקיימו את הילדים? למה הוצרך הכתוב לומר "ותחיין את הילדים"? יש קילוס בתוך קילוס. לא דיין שלא קיימו את דבריו אלא עוד הוסיפו לעשות עמהם טובות. יש מהם שהיו עניות והולכות המילדות ומגבות מים ומזון מבתיהם של עשירות ובאות ונותנות לעניות, והן מחיות את בניהן. הוא שכתוב "ותחיין את הילדים." (שמות רבה, וילנא, א:טו) them, but they saved the lives of male children (Shemot 1:17)... Now since they did not do as they were told (by Pharaoh), don t we know that they saved the children? Why must the Bible say, they saved the lives of male children? It is only to add praise to praise. Not only did they not fulfill his command, but they even did additional deeds of kindness to them. For those who were poor, the midwives would go to the houses of the rich to collect water and food and give them to the poor and thus kept their children alive. This is what is meant by they saved the lives of male children. (Midrash Shemot Rabbah 1:15) Not only did they not fulfill his command, but they even did additional deeds of kindness to them. Love and awe were united into a single motivational force that led to effective action of the highest order. This indeed is worthy of adding praise to praise! Looking for the Source What was the source of the strength of the midwives? From what well did they draw the strong water that fed their ability to fuse together their keen love and awe of God? The first hint at an answer to this question is found in our opening Midrash quotation. They modeled their conduct on that of their grandfather, namely, Avraham. The Talmudic Rabbis point to our grandfather, Avraham, as the source of the strength of the midwives. Actually, the Hebrew original is more evocative than the idiomatic English translation. עצמן למעשה זקנן, זה אברהם קשטו literally means that they decorated themselves with the behavior of their grandfather, Avraham. And just what act of Avraham was the model for their behavior? The answer given in the Midrash is the Akedat Yitzchak: Avraham about whom God testified: For now I know that you are a God-fearing man (Berayshit 22:12). We initially pointed out that the ostensive connection is in the phrase, fear of God אלקים.יראת Now, we can refine our initial question and ask how Avraham Avinu s actions at the Akedat Yitzchak serve as a model for the fusing together of the love and the awe for God. The answer to this question is also based on a Midrash: "ויאמר קח נא את בנך" (בראשית כב:ב) וגו'. אמר לו '], "בבקשה ממך, קח נא את בנך." אמר לו [אברהם], "תרין בנין אית לי. איזה בן?" אמר לו [ה'], "את יחידך." 3

4 אמר לו [אברהם], "זה יחיד לאמו וזה יחיד לאמו." אמר לו [ה'], "אשר אהבת." אמר לו [אברהם], "אית תחומין במעיא?" אמר לו [ה'], "את יצחק." ולמה לא גלה לו מיד? כדי לחבבו בעיניו וליתן לו שכר על כל דבור ודבור. (בראשית רבה, וילנא, נה:ז) He said: Please take your son etc. (Berayshit 22:2). He (God) said to him, I beg of you, please take your son. He (Avraham) asked, I have two sons. Which son? He (God) replied, Your only son. He (Avraham) answered, But each is the only one of his mother? He (God) replied, Who you love. He (Avraham) asked, Is there a limit to affection? He (God) replied, [Take] Yitzchak. And why did He not reveal it to him immediately? To make him (Yitzchak) even more beloved in his eyes and to reward him for every word spoken. (Midrash Berayshit Rabbah 55:7) Why was it appropriate for God to reward Avraham for every extra word spoken to him while he received the marching orders from God? Rav Yitzchak Isaak Sar, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Slabodka, suggests that the list of Yitzchak s attributes that God presents to Avraham son, only son, beloved son is parallel to the list of qualifications that a sacrificial animal must meet. Just as an animal must be a complete, male, one-year old sheep, so, too, Yitzchak was only acceptable as sacrifice if he was the only, beloved son. And just as the animal must meet the criteria of being complete, male, one-year old sheep at the moment it is sacrificed, so, too, Yitzchak had to be the only, beloved son in his father s mind at the moment of sacrifice. This made the test of the Akedah almost unbearably difficult. Avraham could not repress his love for his only son as he picked up the knife to sacrifice Yitzchak. Rather, his heart had to be filled with overwhelming love for his son as he moved to slaughter Yitzchak. Only then would his reward be all the greater because God s extra words increased the level of difficulty of the test. Reb Yehuda Arye Leib Alter of Gur, the Sefat Emet, says exactly this: בפרשת העקידה "אשר אהבת." פירש אדוני מורי זקני ז"ל, כי בנקל לאדם להניח אהבת הבן בשביל קונו. אבל ה' יתברך אמר לו כי בעוצם אהבתו אליו יעלנו לעולה, ולא יניח האהבה. וזה "אשר אהבת." ודפח"ח (=ודברי פי חכם חן). (שפת אמת בראשית פרשת וירא שנה תרנב) In the episode of the Akedah, [it says,] Who you love. My revered grandfather, "ל,ז explained that it is easy for someone to put aside the love of a son to do the bidding of his Creator. But God said to him (to Avraham) that in the midst of great feelings of love for him (Yitzchak) he was to sacrifice him, without putting aside his love. This is [the meaning of who you love. (Sefat Emet, VaYera ) In the most stressful of situations that we could possibly conjure, we find Avraham Avinu, that man who embodies love and Chesed, filled with love and acting out of extreme awe of God all at the same time! In that excruciating moment when he stretched out his hand to pick up the knife to slaughter Yitzchak, Avraham fused together love and awe and made them one. Here is the precedent for what the midwives did. Here is the well from which they drew the strength for saving Jewish babies while exhibiting extreme awe of God. 4

5 The Ultimate Test The Gemara explains why God asked Avraham to please pass the test of the Akedah. If you do not emerge successfully from this trial, it will be said that the previous trials by which I tested you were of no value (Talmud Bavli Sanhedrin 89b and Rashi on Berayshit 22:2). How can God say that only by passing the test of the Akedah would Avraham prove that the previous nine tests were of no value? Didn t the previous tests have intrinsic value of their own? Yes, the first nine tests were of value. However, there is something about the Akedah that raised Avraham to a higher level. That something was the fusing of love,,אהבה together with awe, יראה to create a single force. Avraham planted the ability and strength to do this in the soul of each and every one of his descendants. As a result, the midwives were able to do the same. True, while Avraham began with love and then added awe of God into the mix, the midwives went in the opposite direction. They started with awe of God and then added to it the love and its resultant Chesed. Nevertheless, the result was the same: They achieved a unity of purpose and action that fused together love,,אהבה together with awe, יראה of God. This ability that began with our grandfather Avraham and was exhibited by the righteous women, the Jewish midwives, in Egypt is still alive and well today. When Israeli soldiers, both religious and secular, line up to receive a Berachah from a Rav before going into battle or ask that someone pray for them or ask for a pair of Tzitzit to wear under their uniform, then you know that the love and awe of God is burning together, in harmony in their hearts. And it is this unity of love and awe of God in the hearts of Israeli soldiers as they adorn themselves with the behavior of their grandfather Avraham that causes God s protection and goodness to shower down upon them. May the merit of our grandfather Avraham and that of the righteous midwives protect these children as well. 5

Advisor Copy. Welcome the NCSYers to your session. Feel free to try a quick icebreaker to learn their names.

Advisor Copy. Welcome the NCSYers to your session. Feel free to try a quick icebreaker to learn their names. Advisor Copy Before we begin, I would like to highlight a few points: Goal: 1. It is VERY IMPORTANT for you as an educator to put your effort in and prepare this session well. If you don t prepare, it

More information

October 21, Marheshvan 5778 HIR The Bayit Steven Exler Lessons from Babel: Language, Coexistence, and Speaking Hebrew

October 21, Marheshvan 5778 HIR The Bayit Steven Exler Lessons from Babel: Language, Coexistence, and Speaking Hebrew October 21, 2017 1 Marheshvan 5778 HIR The Bayit Steven Exler Lessons from Babel: Language, Coexistence, and Speaking Hebrew The English-speaking beginner s Hebrew student inevitably encounters a strange

More information

The Promised Land. Overview. What this booklet covers:

The Promised Land. Overview. What this booklet covers: The Promised Land Overview What this booklet covers: o Concept of the Promised Land o The Covenant with Abraham as the origin of belief in The Promised Land o The significance of the Covenant with Abraham

More information

Being a Man of Faith

Being a Man of Faith Bereshit / Genesis 23:1-25:18, 1 Kings 1:1-31 Matthew 2:1-23 Parashat Chayei Sarah Being a Man of Faith Parashat Chayei Sarah In this week s reading from Parashat Chayei Sarah (Shemot / Genesis 23:1-25:18)

More information

He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own, is like one who takes a dog by the ears

He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own, is like one who takes a dog by the ears Rabbi Mansour 2010 Shabbat Morning class פרשת וישלח This week s Parasha begins with Yaakov Avinu sending messengers to his brother Eisav, to inform him that he was approaching. Yaakov Avinu prepared himself

More information

לעילוי נשמת משה בן ויקטוריה אברהם בן אדלה אדלה בת אסטריה יהודית בת מרים פרשת שמות

לעילוי נשמת משה בן ויקטוריה אברהם בן אדלה אדלה בת אסטריה יהודית בת מרים פרשת שמות Rabbi Mansour 2010 Shabbat Morning class This class was attended by Mr. Moises Saba, who loved the words of Torah and especially the classes of the Rabbi. The class and its notes are dedicated Leilui Nishmat

More information

ב "ה. ABC s of Judaism. Fundamentals of Jewish Thought and Practice. June 2007 Tammuz 5767 Jewish Educational Institute Chabad Brisbane

ב ה. ABC s of Judaism. Fundamentals of Jewish Thought and Practice. June 2007 Tammuz 5767 Jewish Educational Institute Chabad Brisbane ב "ה ABC s of Judaism Fundamentals of Jewish Thought and Practice June 2007 Tammuz 5767 Jewish Educational Institute Chabad Brisbane ABC s of Judaism Fundamentals of Jewish Thought and Practice What we

More information

Divray Torah for Chanukah from the Netivot Shalom

Divray Torah for Chanukah from the Netivot Shalom בס"ד David Jay Derovan Ramat Beit Shemesh Kislev 5769 Divray Torah for Chanukah from the Netivot Shalom The following Divray Torah are from Netivot Shalom, Ma amaray Chanukah, by HaRav Shalom No ach Berzovsky,

More information

Global Day of Jewish Learning

Global Day of Jewish Learning Global Day of Jewish Learning Curriculum Under the Same Sky: The Earth is Full of Your Creations www.theglobalday.org A Project of the Aleph Society Title facilitator s guide Loving the Trees (Elementary

More information

Rabbi Mansour 2011 Shabbat Morning Class

Rabbi Mansour 2011 Shabbat Morning Class Rabbi Mansour 2011 Shabbat Morning Class פרשת תצוה This week s Parasha discusses the various priestly garments worn by the Kohanim in the Bet Hamikdash. These garments were much more than just articles

More information

M A K I N G N E G A T I V E S P O S I T I V E

M A K I N G N E G A T I V E S P O S I T I V E M A K I N G N E G A T I V E S P O S I T I V E This session looks at a group of brachot and investigates why some are written in the negative form and only one is written in the positive. What is different

More information

Three Metaphors for Yom Kippur Ruth Calderon

Three Metaphors for Yom Kippur Ruth Calderon Three Metaphors for Yom Kippur Ruth Calderon I. Mishnah Yoma 8:8 9 pp. 2 II. The Yom Kippur piyyut "Unetaneh Tokef" pp. 3 5 III. Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Berachot 7a p. 6 Former Knesset Member Dr. Ruth

More information

Oh brother, where art thou? Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky The Jewish Center 5770

Oh brother, where art thou? Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky The Jewish Center 5770 Oh brother, where art thou? Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky The Jewish Center 5770 Amidst the renewed controversy about the canonization of Pope Pius XII, the Catholic Church has turned its attention to more pressing

More information

First Approach: Kiddush Hashem

First Approach: Kiddush Hashem Israel has been in the news again recently; this time, the buzz surrounds the Jewish homeland s involvement in the disaster relief efforts in the Nepal following the earthquake on April 25 th, which has

More information

בס"ד. Week of. Parshas Re eh. Menachem Av 27, 5777 August 19, Compiled from the works of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson The Lubavitcher Rebbe

בסד. Week of. Parshas Re eh. Menachem Av 27, 5777 August 19, Compiled from the works of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson The Lubavitcher Rebbe בס"ד Week of Parshas Re eh Menachem Av 27, 5777 August 19, 2017 Compiled from the works of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson The Lubavitcher Rebbe by Rabbi Shmuel Mendelsohn A Project of Vaad L Hafotzas

More information

Is Forgiveness Possible? Kol Nidrei 5768 (2007) R. Yonatan Cohen, Congregation Beth Israel

Is Forgiveness Possible? Kol Nidrei 5768 (2007) R. Yonatan Cohen, Congregation Beth Israel Is Forgiveness Possible? Kol Nidrei 5768 (2007) R. Yonatan Cohen, Congregation Beth Israel A number of years ago I worked as a chaplain at an elderly home in Harlem. One morning I noticed a man in his

More information

Lech Lecha 5719 בראשית פרק יב

Lech Lecha 5719 בראשית פרק יב כ) ו) ה) א) ד) Lech Lecha 5719 בראשית פרק יד טי) ) ו י ב ר כ ה ו ו י אמ ר ב ר ו ך אב ר ם ל קל ע ל י ון ק נ ה ש מ י ם ו אר ץ: ) וב ר וך קל ע ל י ון א ש ר מ ג ן צ ר י ך ב י ד ך ו י ת ן ל ו מ ע ש ר מ כ ל:

More information

Bereshit / Exodus 18:1-20:23, Isaiah 6:1-7:6, 9:5-6, Matthew 6:1-8:1. Parashat Yitro

Bereshit / Exodus 18:1-20:23, Isaiah 6:1-7:6, 9:5-6, Matthew 6:1-8:1. Parashat Yitro Bereshit / Exodus 18:1-20:23, Isaiah 6:1-7:6, 9:5-6, Matthew 6:1-8:1 Hearing from God Parashat Yitro This weeks reading is from Parashat Yitro (Shemot / Exodus 18:1-20:23), the Scriptures tell us Yitro

More information

Untapped Potential Parshat Noach 5776 Rabbi Dovid Zirkind

Untapped Potential Parshat Noach 5776 Rabbi Dovid Zirkind Untapped Potential Parshat Noach 5776 Rabbi Dovid Zirkind I Charles Duhigg s 2012 work, The Power of Habit, has a chapter dedicated to the skills and confidence Starbucks instills in each of its nearly

More information

חג המצות Rav Yitzchak Eliyahu Landau of Vilna asks: Why do we refer to Pesach in our prayers

חג המצות Rav Yitzchak Eliyahu Landau of Vilna asks: Why do we refer to Pesach in our prayers בס"ד David Jay Derovan Beit Shemesh Collected for Pesach 5776 חג המצות Rav Yitzchak Eliyahu Landau of Vilna asks: Why do we refer to Pesach in our prayers?חג הפסח as opposed to ח ג ה מ צו ת and in Kiddush

More information

The Sin of Adam & Eve: Understanding Rashi s Comments

The Sin of Adam & Eve: Understanding Rashi s Comments בס"ד David Jay Derovan Ramat Beit Shemesh 5772 The Sin of Adam & Eve: Understanding Rashi s Comments A First Word The beginning of the Torah is most dramatic. The creation of the world is a whirlwind tour

More information

A JEW WALKS INTO A BAR: JEWISH IDENTITY IN NOT SUCH JEWISH PLACES

A JEW WALKS INTO A BAR: JEWISH IDENTITY IN NOT SUCH JEWISH PLACES A JEW WALKS INTO A BAR: JEWISH IDENTITY IN NOT SUCH JEWISH PLACES Sinning in Disguise Like people of all faiths, Jews sometimes do things or go to places they are not supposed to. This session is not about

More information

Parashat Shemot: Why Moshe?

Parashat Shemot: Why Moshe? Parashat Shemot: Why Moshe? Teacher s Guide Worksheets Teacher s Guide Introduction We often have the impression that Moshe was destined to become Moshe. He was born great and therefore rose to great heights.

More information

The Sanctity of Shabbat

The Sanctity of Shabbat בס"ד The Sanctity of Shabbat From the Pri Tzaddik, by Reb Tzaddok HaCohen MiLublin Berayshit, Parshat Va'yaytzay, no. 3, pp. 94-96. Translated by David Derovan The Thesis ברכתו מכל הימים וקדשתו מכל " say,

More information

A R E Y O U R E A L L Y A W A K E?

A R E Y O U R E A L L Y A W A K E? A R E Y O U R E A L L Y A W A K E? ב ר ו ך א ת ה י י א לה ינ ו מ ל ך ה עו ל ם, ה מ ע ב יר ש נ ה מ ע ינ י ות נ ומ ה מ ע פ ע פ י Blessed are You, Hashem our God, King of the Universe, who removes sleep from

More information

defile my holy name and I shall be sanctified among the children of Israel. I am Hashem who sanctifies you.

defile my holy name and I shall be sanctified among the children of Israel. I am Hashem who sanctifies you. Rabbi Mansour Shabbat Morning Class פרשת אמר - you shall not "ולא תחללו את שם קדשי ונקדשתי בתוך בני ישראל אני ה' מקדשכם " defile my holy name and I shall be sanctified among the children of Israel. I am

More information

Purim Fulfilling Jewish Destiny Mrs. Shoshana Schechter Instructor in Bible and Director of Mechina, Stern College for Women

Purim Fulfilling Jewish Destiny Mrs. Shoshana Schechter Instructor in Bible and Director of Mechina, Stern College for Women Purim Fulfilling Jewish Destiny Mrs. Shoshana Schechter Instructor in Bible and Director of Mechina, Stern College for Women Jewish tradition is rich with both volumes of wisdom and celebrations commemorating

More information

The Silence of a Man

The Silence of a Man Parashat Noach 5770, 2009: The Silence of a Man Rabbi David Etengoff Dedicated to the sacred memory of my sister-in-law, Ruchama Rivka Sondra alehah hashalom and to the refuah shalaimah of Sarah bat Rachel,

More information

CLASSIC SHAPELL'S /YESHIVA DARCHE NOAM MIDRESHET RACHEL V'CHAYA JACK E. GINDI PATHWAYS/ PATHWAYS PLUS

CLASSIC SHAPELL'S /YESHIVA DARCHE NOAM MIDRESHET RACHEL V'CHAYA JACK E. GINDI PATHWAYS/ PATHWAYS PLUS CLASSIC SHAPELL'S /YESHIVA DARCHE NOAM MIDRESHET RACHEL V'CHAYA JACK E. GINDI PATHWAYS/ PATHWAYS PLUS DVAR TORAH פרשת נצבים PARSHAT NITZAVIM THE THREE-PART NATIONAL TESHUVAH The Or Hachaim Hakadosh, Harav

More information

The Center for Modern Torah Leadership Taking Responsibility for Torah

The Center for Modern Torah Leadership Taking Responsibility for Torah 10 Allen Court Somerville, MA 02143 (617) 623-8173 SBM5765@AOL.COM www.summerbeitmidrash.org A RISKY SHIUR 1. Taanit 7a A beraita: R. Benaah would often say: Anyone who is deeply involved in Torah lishmah,

More information

The Benefits of Being Stiff-Necked. Rabbi Noah Gradofsky

The Benefits of Being Stiff-Necked. Rabbi Noah Gradofsky The Benefits of Being Stiff-Necked (sermon) for Second Day of Rosh Hashanah 5779/2018 דבר תורה Rabbi Noah Gradofsky Grey material omitted from spoken presentation. otherwise noted. All translations my

More information

Dreaming the Dream Kol Nidrei 5772 (2011) R. Yonatan Cohen, Congregation Beth Israel

Dreaming the Dream Kol Nidrei 5772 (2011) R. Yonatan Cohen, Congregation Beth Israel Dreaming the Dream Kol Nidrei 5772 (2011) R. Yonatan Cohen, Congregation Beth Israel The great and revered R. Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman, single handedly revived and reestablished the religious yeshiva world

More information

Which One is Greater?

Which One is Greater? - אדם למקום and אדם לחברו Which One is Greater? אדם relationships: The Torah addresses two different types of history, and Jewish תנ "ך However, throughout. אדם לחברו and למקום there often appears to be

More information

Bereshit / Exodus 30:11-34:35, 1 Kings 18:1-39 Matthew 9:35-11:1. Parashat Ki Tisa

Bereshit / Exodus 30:11-34:35, 1 Kings 18:1-39 Matthew 9:35-11:1. Parashat Ki Tisa Bereshit / Exodus 30:11-34:35, 1 Kings 18:1-39 Matthew 9:35-11:1 To Fulfill the Law - A Rabbinic Idiom Parashat Ki Tisa This weeks reading is from Parashat Ki Tisa (Shemot / Exodus 30:11-34:35). The portion

More information

The Concept of Repentance, Forgiveness, and the Messiah

The Concept of Repentance, Forgiveness, and the Messiah The Concept of Repentance, Forgiveness, and the Messiah By Duane D. Miller The reason I am writing this short article is because the concept of repentance, forgiveness, and the Messiah tends to always

More information

Jerusalem and Teshuva: The Art of Discovery Parshat Reeh 5775 Rabbi Dovid Zirkind

Jerusalem and Teshuva: The Art of Discovery Parshat Reeh 5775 Rabbi Dovid Zirkind Jerusalem and Teshuva: The Art of Discovery Parshat Reeh 5775 Rabbi Dovid Zirkind I This past Wednesday evening, there was a very sobering but powerful ceremony held at the Kotel. For those who may have

More information

NJ NCSY Winter Regional פירסומי ניסא Publicizing the Miracle of Hanukah

NJ NCSY Winter Regional פירסומי ניסא Publicizing the Miracle of Hanukah NJ NCSY Winter Regional 2015 פירסומי ניסא Publicizing the Miracle of Hanukah Question: It is Friday afternoon and Barry only has enough money to afford wine for Shabbat Kiddush or Hanukah candles which

More information

THINKING ABOUT REST THE ORIGIN OF SHABBOS

THINKING ABOUT REST THE ORIGIN OF SHABBOS Exploring SHABBOS SHABBOS REST AND RETURN Shabbos has a multitude of components which provide meaning and purpose to our lives. We will try to figure out the goal of Shabbos, how to connect to it, and

More information

CLASSIC SHAPELL'S /YESHIVA DARCHE NOAM MIDRESHET RACHEL V'CHAYA JACK E. GINDI PATHWAYS/ PATHWAYS PLUS

CLASSIC SHAPELL'S /YESHIVA DARCHE NOAM MIDRESHET RACHEL V'CHAYA JACK E. GINDI PATHWAYS/ PATHWAYS PLUS CLASSIC SHAPELL'S /YESHIVA DARCHE NOAM MIDRESHET RACHEL V'CHAYA JACK E. GINDI PATHWAYS/ PATHWAYS PLUS פרשת נח PARSHAT NOACH DVAR TORAH THE ARK OF CHESED Noach was a tremendous man of chesed (lovingkindness),

More information

52 AMITTAH SHEL TORAH

52 AMITTAH SHEL TORAH HEADING 51 of Plato and Aristotle, the philosophical concept of God that is removed from this world. They know of a creator, but not of a Master of this world and a Father to His people. The descendents

More information

Lesson 1. Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech haolam, asher kid'shanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu la'asok b'divrei torah.

Lesson 1. Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech haolam, asher kid'shanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu la'asok b'divrei torah. Machon Micah Gate of Torah: Lech L cha (Gen. 12:1-17:27) October 22-28, 2017 2-8 Cheshvan, 5778 Say the prayer for the study of Torah: Lesson 1 Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech haolam, asher kid'shanu

More information

PARASHAT NOACH. G-d s Name in Two Tiers

PARASHAT NOACH. G-d s Name in Two Tiers 57 PARASHAT NOACH שני רבדימ בשמ ה G-d s Name in Two Tiers Hashem is G-d The Torah gives us various keys by which to understand its hidden meanings. One of the most important of these keys is the specific

More information

The Teshuvah of Yishmael Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner Rosh Beit Midrash, Zichron Dov Yeshiva University Torah Mitzion Beit Midrash of Toronto

The Teshuvah of Yishmael Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner Rosh Beit Midrash, Zichron Dov Yeshiva University Torah Mitzion Beit Midrash of Toronto The Teshuvah of Yishmael Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner Rosh Beit Midrash, Zichron Dov Yeshiva University Torah Mitzion Beit Midrash of Toronto And Avraham said to God: If only Yishmael would live before You!

More information

Sacrifice Remembered

Sacrifice Remembered פרשת יתרו תשעא ' 5771 Parshat Yitro Sacrifice Remembered This week s Parsha, perhaps the most dramatic of all, hides its dramatic content. The children of Israel, after all their suffering and torment,

More information

BE A MENTSCH. Rabbi Yitzchok Sanders. Bringing Jews Close Together!

BE A MENTSCH. Rabbi Yitzchok Sanders. Bringing Jews Close Together! BE A MENTSCH Rabbi Yitzchok Sanders Bringing Jews Close Together! פ ר ש ת ל ך ל ך Be a Mentsch means doing acts which help other people. This is especially true if our behavior makes a ד ו ש ה.ק Many people,

More information

P R A Y I N G F O R T H E I M P O S S I B L E

P R A Y I N G F O R T H E I M P O S S I B L E P R A Y I N G F O R T H E I M P O S S I B L E What did you want to be when you were little? Has that changed? How would you define Impossible? Is there anything in this world that isn t possible? Have

More information

Children s Gathering 7 Adar 5773 (Notes taken during class, not reviewed nor edited by Harav Ginsburgh)

Children s Gathering 7 Adar 5773 (Notes taken during class, not reviewed nor edited by Harav Ginsburgh) Children s Gathering 7 Adar 5773 (Notes taken during class, not reviewed nor edited by Harav Ginsburgh) 1. Moshe Rabbeinu is Good A good day and a good month. Today is the 7 th of Adar. What happened on

More information

Before exploring some of the relevant Torah sources, two things to consider:

Before exploring some of the relevant Torah sources, two things to consider: For many Americans, the reaction to the Supreme Court s legalization of same-sex marriage was simple. For the 26 million people changed their facebook profile to a rainbow flag, pure joy and celebration.

More information

בס "ד. Week of. Parshas Vayeiro. 18 Cheshvan, 5777 November 19, 2016

בס ד. Week of. Parshas Vayeiro. 18 Cheshvan, 5777 November 19, 2016 בס "ד Week of Parshas Vayeiro 18 Cheshvan, 5777 November 19, 2016 Compiled from the works of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson The Lubavitcher Rebbe by Rabbi Shmuel Mendelsohn A Project of Vaad L Hafotzas

More information

is the Image of Elohim (and not-adam is the Image of elohim acherim) The Zohar on Anger and the Image of God

is the Image of Elohim (and not-adam is the Image of elohim acherim) The Zohar on Anger and the Image of God Zohar II Tetsaveh 182a א ד "ם is the Image of Elohim (and not-adam is the Image of elohim acherim) The Zohar on Anger and the Image of God We'll begin exploring the Zohar through learning some of the Rabbinic

More information

תוֹר ה ע בוֹד ה מ ע שׂ ים. Jewish. Sensibilities: Interactive Guide

תוֹר ה ע בוֹד ה מ ע שׂ ים. Jewish. Sensibilities: Interactive Guide תוֹר ה Jewish ע בוֹד ה Sensibilities: An מ ע שׂ ים Interactive טוֹב ים Guide Thanks! This curriculum began life as a deck of cards that students at Kent State University Hillel developed with their Senior

More information

And the children struggled together inside her; and she said if so why me? And she went to inquire to Hashem

And the children struggled together inside her; and she said if so why me? And she went to inquire to Hashem Rabbi Mansour 2010 5771 Shabbat Morning Class פרשת תולדות "ויתרצצו הבנים בקרבה ותאמר אם כן למה זה אנכי ותלך לדרש את ה' " And the children struggled together inside her; and she said if so why me? And she

More information

This week s Parasha begins with Hashem appearing to Avraham Avinu, as he was recovering from his Berit Milah.

This week s Parasha begins with Hashem appearing to Avraham Avinu, as he was recovering from his Berit Milah. Rabbi Mansour 5771-2010 Shabbat Morning Class פרשת וירא This week s Parasha begins with Hashem appearing to Avraham Avinu, as he was recovering from his Berit Milah. The Gemarah Yoma 28 b states, that

More information

On Closure Yom Kippur, Kol Nidrei 5775 (2014) R. Yonatan Cohen, Congregation Beth Israel

On Closure Yom Kippur, Kol Nidrei 5775 (2014) R. Yonatan Cohen, Congregation Beth Israel On Closure Yom Kippur, Kol Nidrei 5775 (2014) R. Yonatan Cohen, Congregation Beth Israel In about 24 hours from now we will assemble for the Neeilah service, literally the closing prayer of Yom Kippur.

More information

right. The first two are reactions by Moshe Rabbeinu himself. The third is Miriam s reaction.

right. The first two are reactions by Moshe Rabbeinu himself. The third is Miriam s reaction. Remember to Hope Rabbi Yosie Levine Behaalotecha 2009 I recently stumbled across a website called Newspaperdeathwatch.com. It s a little site that s interested in the transformation of the media universe

More information

SEFER BERESHES וירא וירא

SEFER BERESHES וירא וירא SEFER BERESHES 355 וירא Sarah advised her husband to cast out Ishmael, when she saw that he was Mitzachaik : and she feared that he would be an evil influence for her son. Yet her son was named Yitzchok.

More information

פרשת פקודי. Bits of Torah Truths. Simchat Torah Series. Parashat Pekudai. Parashat Pekudei Worshiping the Lord the Way He Wants

פרשת פקודי. Bits of Torah Truths. Simchat Torah Series. Parashat Pekudai. Parashat Pekudei Worshiping the Lord the Way He Wants Bits of Torah Truths Bereshit / Exodus 38:21-40:38, 2 Kings 11:17-12:17 John 6:1-71 Simchat Torah Series פרשת פקודי Parashat Pekudai Parashat Pekudei Worshiping the Lord the Way He Wants In this weeks

More information

BEAUTY AND UGLINESS. Global Day of Jewish Learning: Curriculum. A Project of the Aleph Society

BEAUTY AND UGLINESS. Global Day of Jewish Learning: Curriculum.   A Project of the Aleph Society BEAUTY AND UGLINESS Global Day of Jewish Learning: Curriculum www.theglobalday.org A Project of the Aleph Society Title FACILITATOR S GUIDE Embracing a Beautiful World (Elementary School) By Devorah Katz

More information

you. Love it and it will protect you caress it ( (סלסלה and it will uplift you; it will honor you

you. Love it and it will protect you caress it ( (סלסלה and it will uplift you; it will honor you The Cognitive, Emotional, and Sensory Experience of the Yamim Nora im: The Message of the Akedah Dr. Michelle J. Levine Faculty, Stern College for Women In Sefer Mishlei, Shlomo ha-melekh teaches that

More information

SEEDS OF GREATNESS MINING THROUGH THE STORY OF MOSHE S CHILDHOOD

SEEDS OF GREATNESS MINING THROUGH THE STORY OF MOSHE S CHILDHOOD Anatomy ofa l eader: them oshestory SEEDS OF GREATNESS MINING THROUGH THE STORY OF MOSHE S CHILDHOOD FOR LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP ש מ ות EXODUS CHAPTER 2 א ו י ל ך א י ש, מ ב ית ל ו י; ו י ק ח, א ת-ב ת-ל

More information

Sheva Berachot Shapira 1 Shevat 5774 Chabad House, Kiryat Arba (Notes taken during class, not reviewed nor edited by Harav Ginsburgh)

Sheva Berachot Shapira 1 Shevat 5774 Chabad House, Kiryat Arba (Notes taken during class, not reviewed nor edited by Harav Ginsburgh) Sheva Berachot Shapira 1 Shevat 5774 Chabad House, Kiryat Arba (Notes taken during class, not reviewed nor edited by Harav Ginsburgh) Lechaim lechaim. Mazal tov and a good month. The month of Shevat is

More information

Lesson 2: Receiving and Accompanying the Traveler

Lesson 2: Receiving and Accompanying the Traveler Lesson 2: Receiving and Accompanying the Traveler Time needed: 60 minutes Recommended age range: 7th-12th grade Objectives: Students affirm the value of welcoming the stranger in Jewish text Students explore

More information

Revisionist History: 4 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series Av 5774

Revisionist History: 4 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series Av 5774 Revisionist History: Was there one exile or two? Rabbi Etan Moshe Berman Rebbe, Stone Beit Midrash Program, Yeshiva University Rabbi, Cong. Bais Alter Chaim Tzvi, Pomona, NY Both of our Holy Temples were

More information

HaEgel Revisited Mrs. Dena Knoll Faculty, Midreshet Lindenbaum SCW 00 GPATS 02 BR 05

HaEgel Revisited Mrs. Dena Knoll Faculty, Midreshet Lindenbaum SCW 00 GPATS 02 BR 05 Chet וביום פקדי... HaEgel Revisited Mrs. Dena Knoll Faculty, Midreshet Lindenbaum SCW 00 GPATS 02 BR 05 "וביום פקדי ופקדתי עליהם חטאתם" Moshe, In the aftermath of Chet HaEgel, HaShem declares to Nevertheless

More information

Hebrew Ulpan HEB Young Judaea Year Course in Israel American Jewish University College Initiative

Hebrew Ulpan HEB Young Judaea Year Course in Israel American Jewish University College Initiative Hebrew Ulpan HEB 011-031 Young Judaea Year Course in Israel American Jewish University College Initiative Course Description Hebrew is not only the Sacred Language of the Jewish people, but it is also

More information

Global Day of Jewish Learning

Global Day of Jewish Learning Global Day of Jewish Learning Curriculum Under the Same Sky: The Earth is Full of Your Creations www.theglobalday.org A Project of the Aleph Society Title facilitator s guide The Power of Planting: Appreciating

More information

The Akedah. Traditional answer. He was willing to sacrifice what he loved most -Submission to God's will no matter what, as a sign of faith.

The Akedah. Traditional answer. He was willing to sacrifice what he loved most -Submission to God's will no matter what, as a sign of faith. Fri 14 Sep 2007 (2nd day of Rosh Hashanah), 8-10am Dr Maurice M. Mizrahi Congregation Adat Reyim Torah discussion The Akedah -No reference to Akedah anywhere else in Tanach. Why, if it's such a defining

More information

Bad Religion. Introduction Our Torah reading for the second day of Rosh Hashanah is the Akedah the binding

Bad Religion. Introduction Our Torah reading for the second day of Rosh Hashanah is the Akedah the binding / Rosh HaShanah Day 2 5778 ראש השנה יום ב' תשע''ח Rabbi Micah Peltz Bad Religion Introduction Our Torah reading for the second day of Rosh Hashanah is the Akedah the binding of Isaac. It s a difficult

More information

MINCHA. by Shlomo Katz. Hamaayan / The Torah Spring Edited by Shlomo Katz Chayei Sarah Volume XVI, No Marcheshvan 5762 November 10, 2001

MINCHA. by Shlomo Katz. Hamaayan / The Torah Spring Edited by Shlomo Katz Chayei Sarah Volume XVI, No Marcheshvan 5762 November 10, 2001 MINCHA by Shlomo Katz Hamaayan / The Torah Spring Edited by Shlomo Katz Chayei Sarah Volume XVI, No. 5 24 Marcheshvan 5762 November 10, 2001 Today's Learning: Bava Metzia 8:3-4 Orach Chaim 539:9:11 Daf

More information

TORAH BOWL PRACTICE QUESTIONS

TORAH BOWL PRACTICE QUESTIONS 18 1 Q: What event became the סימן לבנים to allow Jewish judges to sit while the שכינה stands over them?.ברית מילה sat on the third day after his אברהם stood while שכינה A: When the 18 2?אברהם Q: For what

More information

A Foreign Fire: The boundaries of Spontaneity Parshat Shemini 5774

A Foreign Fire: The boundaries of Spontaneity Parshat Shemini 5774 Parsha Musings Tanya White בס"ד A Foreign Fire: The boundaries of Spontaneity Parshat Shemini 5774 The tension in any religious experience between rules, boundaries and framework, versus the need for personal

More information

What Kind of King Is God?

What Kind of King Is God? What Kind of King Is God? (2009) 5770 Nidre) (sermon) for Yom Kippur (Kol דבר תורה By way of הכרת הטוב (Hakarat Hatov, appreciation of benefits bestowed upon us by others), much of this sermon is based

More information

ROSH HASHANAH: AVRAHAM AND THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT: AN ANALYSIS OF THE TORAH READINGS FOR ROSH HASHANAH

ROSH HASHANAH: AVRAHAM AND THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT: AN ANALYSIS OF THE TORAH READINGS FOR ROSH HASHANAH ROSH HASHANAH: AVRAHAM AND THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT: AN ANALYSIS OF THE TORAH READINGS FOR ROSH HASHANAH by Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom I THE TANNAIM: TWO OPINIONS The Mishnah (3rd or 4th chapter of Megillah -

More information

The eteacherbiblical team would like to welcome you to our Noah s Ark ebook and thank you for downloading.

The eteacherbiblical team would like to welcome you to our Noah s Ark ebook and thank you for downloading. The eteacherbiblical team would like to welcome you to our Noah s Ark ebook and thank you for downloading. As the year draws to a close, it s important to take a moment to pause and reflect on the year

More information

Torah and Mathematics. from Harav Yitzchak Ginsburgh

Torah and Mathematics. from Harav Yitzchak Ginsburgh B H Torah and Mathematics Mathematical Genetics Part 1 from Harav Yitzchak Ginsburgh The Largest Word in the Pentateuch The Largest word in the Pentateuch, meaning the word with the greatest number of

More information

The Drama of Tashlich Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner Rosh Beit Midrash, Zichron Dov Yeshiva University Torah Mitzion Beit Midrash of Toronto

The Drama of Tashlich Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner Rosh Beit Midrash, Zichron Dov Yeshiva University Torah Mitzion Beit Midrash of Toronto The Drama of Tashlich Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner Rosh Beit Midrash, Zichron Dov Yeshiva University Torah Mitzion Beit Midrash of Toronto Many of our yamim tovim incorporate reenactment; witness the biblical

More information

What is the Parah Adumah and what connection does it have for us today in our preparations

What is the Parah Adumah and what connection does it have for us today in our preparations What is the Parah Adumah and what connection does it have for us today in our preparations for Pesach? by Claudia Marbach, class of 2018 In the weeks before Pesach we have four additional reading to prepare

More information

Must Messiah suffer and die?

Must Messiah suffer and die? Recently, a very dear friend of mine, an Orthodox Rabbi of many years, related to me a conversation he once had with a pastor of an extremely large Christian congregation. The two of them intensely debated

More information

A Need To Know Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky The Jewish Center- Day 7 of Pesach. On March 30, 2009, the integrated managed care organization Kaiser Permanente

A Need To Know Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky The Jewish Center- Day 7 of Pesach. On March 30, 2009, the integrated managed care organization Kaiser Permanente A Need To Know Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky The Jewish Center- Day 7 of Pesach On March 30, 2009, the integrated managed care organization Kaiser Permanente announced that it had laid off nearly two dozen employees.

More information

Bits of Torah Truths. Simchat Torah Series. What does it mean to Seek First the Kingdom of Heaven?

Bits of Torah Truths. Simchat Torah Series. What does it mean to Seek First the Kingdom of Heaven? Bits of Torah Truths Shemot / Exodus 10:1 13:16, Jer. 46:13 28 Simchat Torah Series פרשת בא Mark 3:7 19 Parashat Bo Parashat Bo What does it mean to Seek First the Kingdom of Heaven? In this week s reading

More information

Avraham along with many gifts, and YHWH healed Avimelech. YHWH remembered his promise to Sarah and gave her a son, whom she named Yitzchak, which

Avraham along with many gifts, and YHWH healed Avimelech. YHWH remembered his promise to Sarah and gave her a son, whom she named Yitzchak, which ו יּ ר א Vayeira Avraham was sitting at the entrance of his tent, when he saw three men coming to him. He ran to them and offered them some food, which they accepted. The men, who were actually malachim

More information

Global Day of Jewish Learning

Global Day of Jewish Learning Global Day of Jewish Learning Curriculum Under the Same Sky: The Earth is Full of Your Creations www.theglobalday.org A Project of the Aleph Society Title facilitator s guide Planting for the Future Written

More information

SPIRITUAL EATING HABITS

SPIRITUAL EATING HABITS SPIRITUAL EATING HABITS by Shlomo Katz Hamaayan / The Torah Spring Edited by Shlomo Katz Vayera Volume XIII, Number 2 16 Cheshvan 5759 November 7, 1998 Today's Learning Machshirin 4:8-9 Orach Chaim 8:9-11

More information

Week of. Compiled from the works of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson The Lubavitcher Rebbe. by Rabbi Shmuel Mendelsohn.

Week of. Compiled from the works of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson The Lubavitcher Rebbe. by Rabbi Shmuel Mendelsohn. " THE RASHI OF THE WEEK Week of Parshas Lech Lecho 11 Cheshvan, 5779 October 20, 2018 Compiled from the works of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson The Lubavitcher Rebbe by Rabbi Shmuel Mendelsohn A Project

More information

T H E S U N F L O W E R L I M I T S T O F O R G I V E N E S S

T H E S U N F L O W E R L I M I T S T O F O R G I V E N E S S T H E S U N F L O W E R L I M I T S T O F O R G I V E N E S S Time needed Age range Background of teen Set up 30 mins Any teen Any background Classroom style Goals: The Jewish approach to forgiveness,

More information

Bat Mitzvah D var Torah

Bat Mitzvah D var Torah Bat Mitzvah D var Torah By: Alisa Bressler Thank you all for coming today to celebrate this special day with me. There are many things that make this day special. Today is not just another Sunday night,

More information

Shvilei Pinches. Rosh Hashonah & Yom Kippur

Shvilei Pinches. Rosh Hashonah & Yom Kippur Rabbi Pinches Friedman 5771 Translation by Dr. Baruch Fox "בראשית " Utterance Rosh HaShanah Is a Remedy for the First "נעשה אדם " Utterance Yom Kippur Is a Remedy for the Tenth In honor of the High Holidays,

More information

Parashat Shemot, 5778, 2018: Who Was Miriam? Rabbi David Etengoff

Parashat Shemot, 5778, 2018: Who Was Miriam? Rabbi David Etengoff Parashat Shemot, 5778, 2018: Who Was Miriam? Rabbi David Etengoff Dedicated to the sacred memories of my mother, Miriam Tovah bat Aharon Hakohen, father-inlaw, Levi ben Yitzhak, sister-in-law, Ruchama

More information

Lesson 1. Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech haolam, asher kid'shanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu la'asok b'divrei torah.

Lesson 1. Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech haolam, asher kid'shanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu la'asok b'divrei torah. Machon Micah Gate of Torah: Noah (Genesis 6:9-11:32) October 15-21, 2017 Tishrei 25- Cheshvan 1, 5778 Lesson 1 Questions to be addressed: How were each of the animals on the ark unique, and what were their

More information

God will Provide the Lamb

God will Provide the Lamb God will Provide the Lamb by Nehama Leibowitz z l The story is familiar to us all. We know the nature of the appeal answered by the single, trisyllabic, Hebrew word hineni (here-i-am) of Abraham. We are

More information

TAKING GOD'S COMMANDMENTS SERIOUSLY

TAKING GOD'S COMMANDMENTS SERIOUSLY TAKING GOD'S COMMANDMENTS SERIOUSLY by Rabbi Pinchas Winston He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy. Do not do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God. You have not held back your son, your

More information

Is there such a thing as a little Hatred?

Is there such a thing as a little Hatred? פרשת וישב Parashat Vayeshev Bereshit / Genesis 37:1-40:23, Amos 2:6-3:8, John 2:13-4:42 Is there such a thing as a little Hatred? In this week s reading we see at the opening of the Torah portion the following,

More information

שבות תחום מצוות עשה שזמן גרמא סמיכה תקיעה, שברים, תרועה. The אי ור of performing any מלאכה on Rosh HaShanah שופר in preparation of the

שבות תחום מצוות עשה שזמן גרמא סמיכה תקיעה, שברים, תרועה. The אי ור of performing any מלאכה on Rosh HaShanah שופר in preparation of the A B C בס"ד Intro מסכת ראש השנה of דף לג learn בע"ה Today we will Some of the topics we will learn about today include: A discussion regarding the איסור of performing any forbidden for Rosh שופר on Yom

More information

Shabbat Daf Kuf Lamed

Shabbat Daf Kuf Lamed Chavruta Shabbat Daf Kuf Lamed Translated by: Chavruta staff of scholars Edited by: R. Shmuel Globus Perek Rabbi Eliezer d Milah Mishnah The previous Mishnah said that all the needs of milah can be done

More information

Questions The classic, familiar image of Moshe breaking the Tablets of Testimony at the foot of Mount Sinai demands a second look.

Questions The classic, familiar image of Moshe breaking the Tablets of Testimony at the foot of Mount Sinai demands a second look. Why Break the Tablets?16 Rabbi Shmuel Goldin Faculty, Yeshiva College and Rabbi, Congregation Ahavath Torah, Englewood, NJ God informs Moshe, on the summit of Mount Sinai, of the Sin of the Golden Calf

More information

Rabbi Eliana Jacobowitz [1] Rosh Hashanah 5778

Rabbi Eliana Jacobowitz [1] Rosh Hashanah 5778 Congregation B nai Brith Rosh Hashanah 5778 The Ram of the Akeida וישא אברהם את עיניו וירא והנה איל אחר נאחז בסבך בקרניו. וילך אברהם ויקח את האיל ויעלהו לעולה תחת בנו. Abraham lifted up his gaze and saw

More information

And now Israel, what does Hashem your G-d ask from you but to revere Hashem your G-d

And now Israel, what does Hashem your G-d ask from you but to revere Hashem your G-d Rabbi Mansour 2011 Shabbat Morning Class פרשת עקב "ועתה מה ה' אלקיך שאל מעמך כי אם ליראה אתה אלקיך..." And now Israel, what does Hashem your G-d ask from you but to revere Hashem your G-d Our Rabbis learn

More information

בס"ד. Week of. Parshas Shemos. Teves 19, 5778 January 6, Compiled from the works of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson The Lubavitcher Rebbe

בסד. Week of. Parshas Shemos. Teves 19, 5778 January 6, Compiled from the works of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson The Lubavitcher Rebbe בס"ד Week of Parshas Shemos Teves 19, 5778 January 6, 2018 Compiled from the works of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson The Lubavitcher Rebbe by Rabbi Shmuel Mendelsohn A Project of Vaad L Hafotzas Sichos

More information

Be Wholehearted (Tamim) with the L-rd, Your G-d.

Be Wholehearted (Tamim) with the L-rd, Your G-d. Parashat Shoftim 5776, 2016: Be Wholehearted (Tamim) with the L-rd, Your G-d. Rabbi David Etengoff Dedicated to the sacred memories of my mother, Miriam Tovah bat Aharon Hakohen, father-inlaw, Levi ben

More information

Qualities o a Leader

Qualities o a Leader Parshas Shemos Qualities o a Leader After being told of the nation s oppression and enslavement, the story does not introduce us to an adult Moshe the redeemer, but to a young Moshe. The Torah s cryptic

More information