The Sedra Nasso 5783
This week we read Parshat Nasso, the longest Torah portion of the year. Within its many verses, we find the account of the Nesiim, the leaders of the tribes, and their contributions to the Mishkan. While their offer to fill in any gaps left by the community's donations seemed generous, our sages offer a critique of their timing. By waiting to see what was needed, they displayed a lack of Zerizut, or zealousness. As Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto explains in Mesillat Yesharim, zeal is not just about speed; it is about reflecting our excitement and love for God's commandments. We [...]
Misnomers in the Torah: There’s no superstition in Judaism
Today, we are diving into a topic that might be a bit controversial for some: the role of superstition in Judaism. Many people believe that certain folk practices, like wearing red strings or using a hamsa, are deeply rooted in our tradition. However, the truth is that Judaism is a faith based on logic, rationality, and the belief that God alone runs the world. Superstition, by definition, involves beliefs and phenomena that exist outside of this divine and rational order. The Torah teaches us that these practices are not only nonsensical but are actually forbidden. There are no hidden forces [...]
Jewish philosophy: The Value of Jewish Women
In this video on Jewish philosophy, we are going to explore the profound value the Torah places on Jewish women and the sanctity of relationships. We are all familiar with the three cardinal sins for which one must give up their life rather than violate: idolatry, murder, and sexual indiscretions. Often, we think of that last category only in terms of adultery, but the law goes much deeper, touching on the very essence of human dignity. We will discuss a fascinating and extreme case from our legal tradition involving a man's infatuation and the clear boundaries the Torah sets to [...]
The Sedra Shemini 5783
This week in Parshat Shemini, we explore the laws of Kashrut, learning about the animals and birds we are permitted to eat. Among the unkosher birds, we find the Chasida, or the white stork. Rashi explains that its name comes from the word Chesed, meaning kindness, because it shares food with its fellows. But why is it not kosher? The answer contains a lesson about the nature of kindness. Our Sages teach that Chesed is not just about giving what is required or helping those like us. True Chesed involves going above our basic obligations and overcoming natural instincts to [...]
The Sedra Metzora 5783
In this week's Torah portion, we encounter a challenge that many of us face when our modern values collide with the ancient laws of the Torah. Whether it is capital punishment, social rights, or medical ethics, it is often difficult to reconcile our contemporary perspectives with the Divine word. In Parshat Metzora, we discuss Tzaraas, a metaphysical ailment that manifested physically as a result of sin, particularly Lashon Hara. While this disease no longer occurs in our state of exile, the Torah describes how it would first appear on the walls of a home. Rashi shares a fascinating Midrash: when [...]
Jewish philosophy: What is Kabalah?
In this video on the philosophy of the Torah, we are going to explore a topic that is often misunderstood in modern culture: Kabbalah. Many people ask what exactly it is and why there is a traditional idea that one should only study it after reaching the age of forty. Far from the pop culture versions you might see today, genuine Kabbalah is a highly complex methodology of thought. It specifically addresses the deepest mysteries of the Torah, such as the creation of the world and the vision of the fiery chariot in the Book of Ezekiel. This knowledge was [...]
