Parshas Mishpatim
Print PDF By Rabbi Shloimie Lindenbaum ורפא ירפא (פרק כא פסוק יט) In listing off the laws of various liabilities the Torah tells us that if two people are fighting and onedamages the other in a way that puts him out of commission, the attacker must pay various payments tothe damaged party. The Torah ends […]
Freedom or Slavery
Print PDF By Rabbi Naftoly Bier Immediately after the giving of the עשרת הדברות at Har Sinai, the Torah introduces us to the mitzvah of the עבד עברי; a Jewish male who had stolen money and can’t pay back. He is “contracted” as an indentured servant for a period of up to six years. During […]
Parshas Yisro
Print PDF By Rabbi Shloimie Lindenbaum ואתה תחזה מכל העם אנשי חיל וכו’ (פרק יח פסוק כא) Yisro advises Moshe that instead of him judging the entire Jewish people by himself, he should establish smaller courts to deal with the simpler cases. Only the most difficult cases will be brought to Moshe, after passing through […]
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 […]