Ki Tisa – God Detests Wolves in Sheeps Clothing
G-d Detests Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing Meir Kahane “And you shall make an altar for burning incense.…Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it.” – Exodus 30:1–7 The incense provided a pleasant, satisfying aroma to G-d, symbolic of the pleasure we give Him when we serve Him properly. Hence the Rabbis’ teaching that G-d said, “I […]
Tetzaveh – All About Linen
All About Linen “You shall embroider the coat of fine linen (shesh), and you shall make the turban of fine linen (shesh), and you shall make the belt of needlework” (Exodus 28:39). Linen garments are also called vad: “The kohen shall put on his linen (vad) garment and put his linen (vad) breeches upon his […]
Mishpatim – Because I Said So
Because I Said So Rabbi Meir Kahane According to the Talmud (Shabbat 88a), G-d lifted Mt. Sinai over the Jewish people’s heads and said: “If you accept My Torah, it will be good. If not, your burial place will be here!” This passage seems nothing less than stupefying. What possible legal or moral obligation was […]
Yitro – Dont Be So Humble
Don’t Be So Humble Meir Kahane We are told that when the L-rd desired to give the Torah to the Jewish people, instead of choosing a lofty and majestic mountain, He selected Sinai, a small, humble little mount barely more than a hill. His purpose in this symbolic act was to teach us that man […]
BeShalach – Rejoice When the Wicked Die
Rejoice When the Wicked Die “Then Moses and the Children of Israel sang this song….” – Exodus 15:1 Avraham Tirosh, a member of Mafdal, recently wrote an article whose basic theme is love of all people, even enemies; equality of all people; and the sin of rejoicing over the death of our enemies. He begins, […]
Bo – Moses Fanatic and Extremist
Moses: Fanatic and Extremist Nine plagues have descended upon Egypt. Pharaoh, reeling under pressure from his noblemen and servants, capitulates. He tells Moses: “Go, worship the L-rd; only let your flocks and your herds stay behind” (Exodus 10:24). Consider, dear Jew. After 210 years of slavery, the Hebrews have been told that they can leave! […]
Shemot – Whoever Strikes a Jew Strikes God
Whoever Strikes a Jew Strikes G-d Rabbi Meir Kahane “And [Moses] saw an Egyptian man striking one of his fellow Hebrews; he looked this way and that, saw there was no one around, and struck the Egyptian and buried him in the sand” (Exodus 2:11-12). Moses could have walked away from the scene with any […]
VaYigash – God’s Will Comes First
G-d’s Will Comes First Rabbi Meir Kahane “And Joseph made ready his chariot and went up to meet Israel, his father, in Goshen…and he fell on his neck and wept” (Genesis 46:29). “But Jacob did not fall on Joseph’s neck and did not kiss him, for our Rabbis said that he was saying the Shema….” […]
MiKetz – Like a Pauper at the Door
Like a Pauper at the Door “Pharaoh took his ring off his own hand and placed it on the hand of Joseph” (Genesis 41:42). What a divine revelation! What an open miracle! Mere minutes before, Joseph was a lowly prisoner. Now, in the blink of an eye, he had become Pharaoh’s viceroy by whose command […]
VaYeshev – Of Pragmatists and Dreamers
Of Pragmatists and Dreamers “And they said one unto the other,Behold, the dreamer cometh….” – Genesis 37:19 The Talmud (Bava Batra 12b) relates that after the Temple was destroyed, prophecy was given over to children and fools. The concept is staggering! Prophecy! Is there any greater level for man to achieve? Prophecy! To be in […]