The Sedra V’Zos Haberachah 5781
This week we celebrate Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, as we reach the conclusion of our yearly reading cycle with Parshat V’Zos Haberachah. It is fitting that the Torah ends with the passing of Moshe Rabbeinu, the man through whom it was given. Before his death, God grants him a miraculous gift: the ability to see the entire Land of Israel from atop Mount Nebo. However, God includes a strange reminder, telling him he shall not cross there. In this video, we will explore the commentary of the Sforno, who explains the profound reason why Moshe could not enter the [...]
The Sedra Sukkot 5780
Shalom everyone, and welcome to our discussion on the beautiful festival of Sukkot. Today we explore a fascinating fable from the Talmud about the arrival of Mashiach and the nations of the world. We often categorize our sacred obligations into easy and difficult commandments based on the effort or the financial cost involved. God describes the Sukkah as an easy mitzvah because it requires no monetary loss, yet we must be as careful with these light commandments as we are with the grave ones. In this video, we look at how Sukkot uniquely balances these two worlds. We have the [...]
The Sedra Haazinu 5780
This week we focus on Parshat Haazinu, a unique and challenging portion written in the form of a beautiful poem. This entire song serves as a powerful encouragement for the Jewish people to remain faithful to the mitzvot of the Torah. As Moshe finishes his final words to the nation, he issues a critical warning regarding Torah study. He tells us that this teaching is not a trifling thing; it is our very life. Through it, we endure and find our purpose. In this video, we will explore the words of the Sforno and the Shulchan Aruch to understand if [...]
The Sedra Chukat 5780
This week's Sedra, Parshat Chukat, is incredibly meaningful to me, especially as I look out from my study at the very mountains where these ancient battles were fought. We read of the wars against Sichon and Og, the King of Bashan. Interestingly, Moshe Rabbeinu felt a unique fear before engaging Og. Rashi explains that Moshe was concerned about the merit Og might have acquired centuries earlier when he informed Avraham that Lot had been captured. While his intentions were far from noble, he still performed a service for our forefather. God reassured Moshe that this merit would not protect a [...]
The Sedra Behaloscha 5780
In this week's video for Parshat Behaloscha, we explore one of the fundamental principles of our faith: the nature of prophecy. At the conclusion of our Sedra, we find a unique moment where God Himself defends the stature of Moshe Rabbeinu against the criticisms of Miriam and Aaron. Maimonides teaches that while all prophets receive Divine communication, Moshe was in a category entirely his own. God describes him as being trusted throughout My household, speaking with him mouth to mouth and not in parables. Commentators like the Ibn Ezra and the Rashbam offer different perspectives on what it means to [...]
The Sedra Emor 5780
This week's Torah portion, Parshat Emor, is filled with a vast array of topics, from the laws of the festivals to the counting of the Omer. However, the Sedra concludes with a deeply troubling and mysterious narrative regarding a blasphemer. This individual, born to a Jewish mother and an Egyptian father, finds himself in a violent struggle that ends in a tragic sin against God. Why does the Torah emphasize his lineage or mention his mother's name, Shelomit bat Divri? Rashi explains that this man essentially fell through the cracks of the community. With no tribe to call his own [...]
