Parshas Vayikra
Print PDF By Rabbi Shloimie Lindenbaum כי כל שאר וכל דבש לא תקטירו…קרבן ראשית תקריבו אתם (פרק ב פסוק יא-יב) The Torah tells us that we may not add any sourdough, any chometz, or any sweetness, such as through fruit, to any offering. The only exceptions are the “ראשית”- the beginning offerings, that is, the […]
Bonding with Hashem
Print PDF By Rabbi Naftoly Bier רמב”ן, Nachmanides, in his preface to ספר ויקרא, Leviticus, teaches that the main theme of ספר שמות, Exodus, is to relate the development of the Jewish people from being a nation enslaved and assimilated into a people who were gifted with the epitome of successful personal development – realized […]
Parshas Pekudei
Print PDF By Rabbi Shloimie Lindenbaum אלה פקודי המשכן (פרק לח פסוק כא) The Parsha begins with a counting of all the materials that were donated to the building of the Mishkan and a description of how they were used in its construction. R’ Moshe Feinstein says that the Torah specifically detailed this listing of […]
Beginnings
Print PDF By Rabbi Naftoly Bier In Chapter 40:2 it states, “On the first day of the first month you shall erect the Tabernacle…” The construction of the משכן, Tabernacle had been completed some time before; according to many it was on כ”ה כסלו, more than three months prior. Why did Hashem wait until […]
Parshas Vayahkel
Print PDF By Rabbi Shloimie Lindenabaum ששת ימים תעשה מלאכה (פרק לה פסוק ב) As introduction to the building of the Mishkan, the Torah reminds us of our obligation to rest on Shabbos from any creative activity- the very ones that are done to build the Mishkan. The pasuk tells us, “six days your […]
Aspiring for Perfection
Print PDF By Rabbi Naftoly Bier The title seems an impossible dream. But we are taught by the רמב”ם, Maimonides, that every person can be as great as משה רבינו, our leader, Moses. (הל’ תשובה ה:ב) Rav Itsel explained that of course no person can attain the level of משה רבינו, but the meaning is that every person is obligated to aspire […]
Parshas Ki Sisa
Print PDF By Rabbi Shloimie Lindenbaum ויעשהו עגל מסכה ויאמרו אלה אלקיך ישראל (פרק לב פסוק ד) Just a short while after בני ישראל witnessed the wondrous miracles of יציאת מצרים (leaving Egypt), קריעת ים סוף (the splitting of the sea), and מתן תורה (the giving of the Torah), they fell terribly in creating […]
Life Lessons from the “Golden Calf” Episode
Print PDF By Rabbi Naftoly Bier One of the most puzzling, perplexing, bewildering portions of the Torah is the incident of the Golden Calf. How is it possible that after having witnessed Hashem’s presence at Har Sinai, that people would make the implausible act of violating a directive from Hashem as not to create […]
Parshas Tetzaveh | Zachor
Print PDF By Rabbi Shloimie Lindenbaum The Baal Haturim points out in the beginning of this week’s פרשה that Moshe’s name is not found at all in our פרשה. He explains that after Klal Yisroel sinned with the Golden Calf, Moshe asked Hashem that if He does not forgive them then Moshe’s name should […]
The Majestic Garments of the Kohein Gadol and Feasting on Purim
Print PDF By Rabbi Naftoly Bier The Torah commands, “(Shemos 28:2) Make holy garments for your brother Aharon, for glory and majesty.” Why is it important that Aharon who is a spiritual giant, a person of saintliness, needs to wear majestic, royal garments? In what manner does it add to his selfless service to […]
