The Sedra Korach 5779 Tradition
This week's Sedra centers on Korach, a man whose name has become synonymous with rebellion and arrogance. In our discussion, we explore the vital role of tradition and custom in Jewish life. Maimonides teaches that separating oneself from the community and its customs is a grave error that blocks the path of repentance. Tradition is the glue that binds us to our ancestors and ensures our future stability. When we perform the same rituals as our great grandparents, we anchor ourselves in a chain of holiness. Unfortunately, human nature often pushes us toward an obsession with innovation and the arrogant [...]
The Sedra Tazria 5779
To delve deeper into the narrative of the Jews' interaction with God, we can turn to a parable provided by our sages. This story tells of a woman of high standing who enters the palace of a king to marry him. Upon seeing instruments of punishment on the walls, she is struck with fear. The king consoles her, explaining that these tools are for those who disobey him, while his love for her is constant and enduring. This parable beautifully mirrors the Jewish people's initial fear upon reading the description of Tzaraas in our Sedra. Yet, as the parable suggests, [...]
The Sedra Toldos 5778
This Dvar Torah presented by Rabbi Uri Pilichowski offers a concise yet profound exploration of the effectiveness of prayer, centered around this week’s Torah portion, Toldos. The video opens by addressing a universal human question: does God truly listen to prayer, and can it genuinely influence the course of events? Rabbi Pilichowski posits that while God is not influenced by human flattery or emotional pleas in the way people are, prayer remains a powerful and necessary tool. The discussion focuses on a unique prayer found in Toldos, where the patriarch Yitzchak (Isaac) prays for his wife Rivka (Rebecca) because she [...]
The Sedra Bereshis 5777
Rabbi Uri Pilichowski discusses Rashi's question about why the Torah begins with the story of creation rather than a Mitzvah. Rashi explains it establishes God's authority over the world, justifying the Jewish people's claim to the land of Canaan. The Ramban challenges Rashi, arguing creation is a foundational aspect of Jewish faith. He clarifies that Rashi questioned why the complicated creation story was included if it's beyond human comprehension. The Ramban concludes that understanding God's creation requires accepting that we won't fully comprehend it, highlighting the difficulty humans face in admitting ignorance. This acceptance of not fully understanding God is [...]
The Sedra Bo 5777
Shalom and welcome back to our weekly exploration of the Torah. In this video, we delve into Parshat Bo, focusing on a truly fascinating paradox. How was it possible for the Egyptian people, even as they suffered through devastating plagues, to develop a deep admiration and even favor toward Moses and the Jewish people? Drawing from the profound insights of the Ramban, we’ll discuss how the Egyptians began to recognize that the cause of their suffering was not the Jews, but their own cruel behavior and Pharaoh’s stubbornness. We’ll then connect this historical moment to the Rambam’s vision of the [...]
The Sedra Shemos 5777
This Dvar Torah provides insight into the opening of the Book of Exodus, specifically focusing on the shrewd tactics employed by Pharaoh to enslave the Jewish people. The video explores the commentary of the Ramban, explaining why Pharaoh did not immediately resort to open violence to annihilate the Israelites. Instead, Pharaoh chose a clandestine, stage-by-stage approach to avoid betrayal and gain the support of the Egyptian populace, who initially admired the Jews. The speaker analyzes how Pharaoh levied specific taxes and imposed labor to slowly dehumanize the Jewish people in the eyes of the Egyptians, ultimately leading to total enslavement [...]
