Emor – To Give of Yourself
To Give of Oneself “V’nikdashti b’toch b’nei Yisrael,” thunders the Torah. “And I shall be sanctified in the midst of the Children of Israel” (Leviticus 22:32). Kiddush Hashem, the sanctification of G-d’s Name! Is there any greater concept in all of Judaism? The hallowing of the Name! And how does one achieve this mitzvah of […]
Kedoshim – To Be Holy
To Be Holy “You shall be holy, for I the L-rd, your G-d, am holy” (Leviticus 19:2). What is this holiness? What is it and how does one achieve it? Holiness – the purpose of man – is aimed at taking the ego and self-centeredness that is at the root of all ugliness and evil, […]
Acharei Mot2 – When the State Refuses to Protect its People
When the State Refuses to Protect Its People Among the most basic of all concepts in Torah Judaism is that of life. The Torah (Leviticus 18:5) decrees, “Ye shall keep My statutes and My ordinances; if a man does them, he shall live by them; I am the L-rd.” And the Rabbis (Yoma 85b) declare: […]
Acharei Mot – Dont Sleep Your Life Away
Don’t Sleep Away Your Life “You shall live by them” (Leviticus 18:5). These words constitute not just a blessing or a dispensation but an obligation – in effect, the most fundamental mitzvah possible. After all, being alive is a prerequisite for doing the mitzvot. G-d, therefore, decreed that man must live. Whoever wastes time on […]
Tazria – Poor Living Standards is No Excuse
Poor Living Standards Is No Excuse I recommend to all those who speak of the difficulty of making a living in Eretz Yisrael (and who really mean the difficulty in making the kind of living they would like to make) the following Tanchuma (Tazria 6): “A kohen who was in dire economic straits decided to […]
Shemini – We Left Egypt for a Reason
We Left Egypt for a Reason “Do not defile your souls by eating any small animal that lives on the land. I am the L-rd who brought you [lit., ‘raised you’] out of Egypt to be your G-d. Therefore, since I am holy, you must also remain holy” (Leviticus 11:44–45). In the Talmud, R. Chanina […]
Tzav – Hur vs Aaron
Hur vs. Aaron “Do not leave the entrance to the tent of meeting for seven days, until the days of your consecration are completed, for your consecration (milu’eichem) will last seven days” (Leviticus 8:33). Why does the Torah use the word “milu’eichem,” which literally means to complete (l’malei)? What was lacking that needed completion? The […]
VaYikra – A Symbol of Trust
A Symbol of Trust “And a soul who brings a minchah sacrifice to G-d…” (Leviticus 2:1). On this verse, the Rabbis ask, “Why does the Torah alter its language and use the word ‘soul’ [instead of ‘man’]?” G-d said, “Who ordinarily brings a minchah? A poor person. When he brings a minchah, I consider it […]
VaYakhel – What Faith Really Matters
What Faith Really Means In telling Moses of His appointment of Bezalel to build the Tabernacle, G-d says, “Behold, I have called by name (b’shem) Bezalel the son of Uri the son of Hur…” (Exodus 31:2). Why does the Almighty choose Bezalel for the great honor of building His holy sanctuary? Furthermore, what does the […]
Ki Tisa2 – The Torah Solution Expulsion
The Torah Solution: Expulsion For many years I have pointed out the clear halachic status of a non-Jew in the Land of Israel, which is in total contradiction to Western democracy, which postulates complete equality of all peoples regardless of ethnic, national, or religious background. I have pointed out that he has, at best, the […]