Deliberation
Print PDF By Rabbi Naftoly Bier The Torah says (18:13), “…And Moshe sat to judge, adjudicate cases for people, and they – the people – stood by him from the morning till the evening.” Rashi asks, “Was it possible? We are seeing that any judge that renders judgment that is rightful as truth demands it […]
Our Essence
Print PDF By Rabbi Naftoly Bier This Shabbos we once again relive the momentous occurence of the deliverance of Klal Yisroel at the Reed Sea! The Egyptians, nine million of them, drowned while the Jewish people were saved. As this portion is read in the synagogue, all attendees stand, as if we are once again […]
Parshas Beshalach
Print PDF By Rabbi Shloimie Lindenbaum ויולך ה’ את הים ברוח קדים (פרק יד פסוק כא) Moshe raises his hand over the ים סוף and Hashem sends a powerful eastern windthroughout the night to split the sea. The Ramban explains that the reason for this windis to provide the Egyptians with a logical explanation in […]
Parshas Bo
By Rabbi Shloimie Lindenbaum (דבר נא באזני העם וישאלו איש מאת רעהו… פרק יא פסוק ב Hashem asks Moshe to instruct Klal Yisroel to go to the Egyptians and ask to borrow their goldand silver. Rashi points out that Hashem expressed this as a request, almost a plea, because Hedidn’t want Avraham Avinu to complain that Hashem […]
Certainty and Actuality
Print PDF By Rabbi Naftoly Bier In the beginning of פ‘ וארא (ו‘:ג‘) , we are taught one of the essential fundamentals of Hashem’s world. “And I (Hashem) appears to the Patriarchs as קל שקי, but My name which implies my Essential Truth, I didn’t reveal (Myself).” Rashi explains the first name is a manifestation […]
Parshas Vaeira
Print PDF By Rabbi Shloimie Lindenbaum הן בני ישראל לא שמעו אלי ואיך ישמעני פרעה (פרק ו פסוק יב) Hashem tells Moshe to inform the Jews that Hashem will take them out of מצרים and bring them to ארץ ישראל. The Torah tells us that the did not listen to Moshe because they were too […]
The Gift of Prayer
Print PDF By Rabbi Naftoly Bier The Ramban in שמות ג:י”ד (Nachmanides, Exodus 3:14) teaches us an amazing concept. Moshe Rabeinu asked Hashem, in what manner can he relate to the Jewish people an identification of the Almighty that will be the definitive proof of His existence and providential interaction with all? Hashem answered, “Why […]
Parshas Shemos
Print PDF By Rabbi Shloimie Lindenbaum ויהי כי יראו המילדות את האלקים ויעש להם בתים (פרק ב פסוק כא) Shifrah and Puah, the G-d-fearing Jewish midwives, risked their lives defying Pharoah’s order to kill all Jewish male babies. The פסוק says that as a reward, Hashem established houses for them. Rashi explains this to mean […]
Parshas Vayechi
Print PDF By Rabbi Shloimie Lindenbaum אחלקם ביעקב אפיצם בישראל (פרק מט פסוק ז) Yaakov tells Shimon and Levi that because of their attack on Shechem- when taking revenge on Dinah’s behalf- they will be scattered throughout the Jewish nation. Rashi expounds further that generally Rebbeim and scribes, professions that do not hold a lot […]
Honesty and Impetuosity
Print PDF By Rabbi Naftoly Bier יעקב, our patriarch Jacob, before his death, blessed his sons. To ראובן he said, “Reuven, you were to have superior positions, that of kingship and priesthood. But due to water-like impetuosity, you forfeited both of them.” Though Reuven had thought he was acting virtuously in justifying his mother’s honor […]