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 […]
Parshas Terumah
Print PDF By Rabbi Shloimie Lindenbaum אמתים וחצי ארכו ואמה וחצי רחבו (פרק כה פסוק י) The Torah lists in detail all the objects needed in the משכן, starting with the ארון, the Ark. All the measurements given for the ארון are in “halves”- 2.5 cubits long, 1.5 cubits wide, and 1.5 cubits high. […]
Selfless Dedication
Print PDF By Rabbi Naftoly Bier In מסכת ברכות כ”חי, Tractate Brachos 28b relates the following: When ר’ אליעזר, Rav Eliezer was on his deathbed his pupils entered to visit him. They said, “May our teacher please teach us the manner of living that will gain for us the life of the World to […]
Parshas Mishpatim
Print PDF By Rabbi Shloimie Lindenbaum אם כסף תלוה את עמי את העני עמך (פרק כב פסוק כד) The Torah tells us about the mitzvah to lend money to people in need, “when you will lend money to my nation, the poor person with you”. What is the meaning of the line “with […]
The Key to Developing Self-Respect
Print PDF By Rabbi Naftoly Bier ואלו המשפטים, “and these are the ‘social laws’ that you should transmit in full clarity…” These are מצוות which are to be understood in a logical manner per understanding what Hashem expects from us in our interaction with others. The first mitzvah is the idea of the עבד […]
