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Weekly Divrei Torah   
" Click here to see previous Parshiot "
Shabbat Forshpeis    A Taste of Torah in Honor of Shabbat


  Previous Divrei Torah 


PARSHAT NITZAVIM/VAYELECH
TESHUVAH: GOD'S RETURN TO US
SEPTEMBER 3-4, 2010/ 25 ELUL 5770


Parshat Nitzavim, the first of the two portions
we read this week, is replete with the
message of teshuvah (repentance). Teshuvah


PARSHAT KI TAVO
ANTI-ZIONISM IS A COVER FOR ANTI-SEMITISM
AUGUST 27-28, 2010 / 18 ELUL 5770


Three covenants (brit) are mentioned in the Torah,
the covenant of the pieces (Genesis 15), the
covenant of Sinai (Exodus 19), and
the covenant of our portion,


PARSHAT KI-TETZE
THE CHALLENGE OF MORALITY IN THE FACE OF WAR
AUGUST 20-21, 2010 / 9 ELUL 5700


"All is fair in love and war."  Not so in Judaism.


PARSHAT SHOFTIM
THE ROLE OF THE JEWISH KING
AUGUST 13-14, 2010 / 4 ELUL 5770


Whether appointing a king is legally obligatory
or not is a subject of great controversy. But
whether it is or is not, the Torah recognizes
that it is human nature that people


PARSHAT RE'EH
ADDING AND SUBTRACTING FROM THE TORAH:
THE RABBI'S ROLE IN THE LEGAL PROCESS
AUGUST 6-7, 2010 / 27 AV 5770


This week's Torah portion gives us a curious
mitzvah. It tells us not to add or subtract
to the commandments. (Deuteronomy 13:1) 


PARSHAT EKEV
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LAND OF ISRAEL
JULY 30-31, 2010 / 20 AV 5770


Over and over our portion emphasizes the importance
of inheriting the land of Israel.  (Deuteronomy 8:1, 9:1)
Why is Israel so crucial to our covenant with God?  


PARSHAT VAETCHANAN NACHAMU
STAYING CONNECTED TO ISRAEL
JULY 23-24, 2010 / 13 AV 5770


Moshe (Moses) in this weeks' portion implores
God for permission to enter into Israel.  


PARSHAT DEVARIM/CHAZON
THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN HUMAN
ENDEAVOR AND DIVINE INTERVENTION
JULY 16-17, 2010 / 6 AV 5770


There is a Talmudic story that reveals a lot
about how we should react when facing adversity.  


PARSHAT MATOT-MASEI
IN TIMES OF DANGER, RUN TO ISRAEL
RATHER THAN FROM ISRAEL
JULY 9-10, 2010 / 28 TAMMUZ 5770


In one of this week’s portions, Reuven, Gad and
half of Menashe request to remain on the eastern
side of the Jordan.  A cursory review of their
request gives us insight into why these particular
tribes tried to remain outside Israel.  


PARSHAT PINCHAS
WHY DO WE PRAY WITH A SET TEXT?
JULY 2-3, 2010 / 21 TAMMUZ 5770


An opinion recorded in the Talmud states that
prayers correspond to the daily sacrifices offered
in the Temple which are mentioned in
this week’s portion. (Berakhot 26b, Numbers 28:4)   


PARSHAT BALAK
THE POWER OF LOVE TO CONQUER HATRED
JUNE 25-26, 2010 / 14 TAMMUZ 5770


Could it be that Bilaam, the gentile prophet, saddled
his own animal when he set forth to curse the Jews?
(Numbers 22:21) For someone of his stature, a
prophet, it certainly seems beneath his dignity.   


PARSHAT CHUKAT
KEEPING THE EGO IN CHECK
JUNE 18-19, 2010 / 7 TAMMUZ 5770


In this week’s portion Moses is told that he
would not enter Israel because he hit
the rock instead of speaking to it.   


PARSHAT KORACH
THE MAKING OF A SUCCESSFUL RABBI
JUNE 11-12, 2010/ 30 SIVAN 5770


From the time that Moshe (Moses) comes on the scene,
he is under attack. As he breaks up a fight between
Jews while still in Egypt, one turns to him and says,
"who made you a ruler and judge over us." (Exodus 2:14)  


PARSHAT SHELACH
THE GIFT OF OPPORTUNITY IS NOT LIMITLESS
JUNE 4-5, 2010 / 23 SIVAN 5770


A glimpse at the narrative in the book of Numbers
reveals an almost parallel pattern of events to that
which occurred to the Jews after their leaving Egypt. 


PARSHAT BA-HA'ALOTCHA
THE GREAT SIGNIFICANCE OF THE
SMALLEST BOOK OF THE TORAH
MAY 28-29, 2010 / 16 SIVAN 5770


The words we recite when taking the Torah from the
Ark are found in this week's portion. "And it came
to pass, when the Ark set forward, that Moshe (Moses)
said 'rise up O Lord and let Your enemies be scattered;
and let them that hate You flee before You.'" (Numbers 10:35) 


PARSHAT NASO AND SHAVUOT
THE INTEGRAL LINK BETWEEN NATION AND FAMILY
MAY 18-20, 2010 / 6-7 SIVAN 5770


The story of Ruth is one of a family in dissolution.
Naomi's husband and two sons die leaving her with
her two daughters in law, Orpah and Ruth. 


PARSHAT BAMIDBAR
THE LINK BEWTEEN PARSHAT BAMIDBAR
AND THE HOLIDAY OF SHAVUOT
MAY 14-15, 2010 / 2 SIVAN 5770


This week's parsha, Bamidbar is always read on
the Shabbat prior to the Shavuot holiday.  This
year is no different.  Rabbi Isaiah Halevy Horowitz,


PARSHAT BEHAR-BEKHUKOTAI
LET'S BE THANKFUL FOR OUR BLESSINGS
MAY 7-8, 2010 / 24 IYAR 5770


In today's second portion, Bekhukotai, we read the
tokheha-the curse, in which a series of punishments
that will be meted out if the Jewish people


PARSHAT EMOR
THE LESSONS OF SEFIRAT HA-OMER
APRIL 30-MAY 1, 2010 / 17 IYAR 5770


Our Torah portion talks of the fifty days between
Passover and Shavuot commonly known as Sefirat
Ha-omer. From a biblical perspective,
these days relate to


PARSHAT ACHAREI MOT-KEDOSHIM
THE LESSONS OF HOLINESS EVEN IN DEATH
APRIL 23-24, 2010 / 10 IYAR 5770


From a literal perspective, the names of portions are
nothing more than the first major word of the
part of the Torah that is read during the week.


PARSHAT TAZRIA-METZORA
EXPLAINING THE LAWS OF FAMILY PURITY
APRIL 16-17, 2010 / 3 IYAR 5770


Why is there a time of physical separation between


PARSHAT SHEMINI
MAINTAINING THE PURITY OF SHOAH MEMORY
APRIL 9-10, 2010 / 26 NISAN 5770


Survivors of the Shoah encounter the experience
through what can be called "pure memory."


PASSOVER 5770
THE HIDDEN MESSAGE OF THE FOUR CHILDREN
MARCH 29 - APRIL 6, 2010 / 15-22 NISAN 5770


The literal approach to the Haggadah's four children is
straightforward. On four different occasions, the Torah
describes questions asked by children about Passover.


PARSHAT TZAV
SACRIFICES CELEBRATE OUR LOVE OF GOD
MARCH 26-27, 2010/ 12 NISAN 5770


This week's portion continues the theme of the sacrificial
service. There are many suggestions as to the reasoning
behind this enigmatic, yet important element of our tradition.


PARSHAT VAYIKRA
TWO TYPES OF LOVE OF GOD
FOR THE JEWISH PEOPLE
MARCH 19-20, 2010/ 5 NISAN 5770


The Book of Leviticus opens with the word
Va-yikra, "and He [the Lord] called."
(Leviticus 1:1) Rashi points out that va-yikra


PARSHAT VAYAKHEL-PEKUDEI
THE MISHKAN AS A SYMBOL OF DREAMS AND ASPIRATIONS
MARCH 12-13, 2010 / 27 ADAR 5770


In the portion of Pekudei a reckoning
of the work done in the Tabernacle is recorded.


PARSHAT KI TISA
THE LESSONS OF SEEING ONLY GOD'S BACK
MARCH 5-6, 2010 / 20 ADAR 5770


One of the most extraordinary images in the
Torah appears in this week's portion.
Moshe (Moses) asks God


PARSHAT TETZAVEH
THE OBJECTIVE IMPORTANCE OF REMEMBERING
FEBRUARY 26-27, 2010 / 13 ADAR 5770


In both the Purim and Joseph stories, seemingly
meaningless sub plots eventually turn
into major focal points.


PARSHAT TERUMAH
THE UNIQUE CHARACTER OF THE
HOLINESS OF JERUSALEM
FEBRUARY 19-20, 2010 / 6 ADAR 5770


This week's portion talks about the first synagogue
of all time-the mishkan. Because the chasm between
the finite human being and the infinite God is


PARSHAT MISHPATIM/SHEKALIM
THE INTEGRAL CONNECTION
BETWEEN PRAYER AND ACTION
FEBRUARY 12-13, 2010 / 29 SHEVAT 5770


The Talmud states that the source of
prayer is the biblical phrase: "And you
shall serve Him with all your heart."
(Deuteronomy 11:13) Service is
usually associated with action.


PARSHAT YITRO
A MESSAGE OF INCLUSIVENESS
AT THE FOOT OF MT. SINAI
FEBRUARY 5-6, 2010 / 22 SHEVAT 5770


The Torah tells us that at the moment
of revelation all the Jews at Sinai
were able to see. (Exodus 20:15) Is it possible that


PARSHAT BESHALAH
JEWISH BLOOD IS NOT CHEAP
JANUARY 29-30, 2010/ 15 SHEVAT 5770


Although the Torah often points out the
infinite value of every human life, this
week's parsha gives a clear message about


PARSHAT BO
THE INTERDEPENDANCE OF ACTIONS
AND FEELINGS
JANUARY 22-23, 2010/8 SHEVAT 5770


In this week's portion, the Torah
begins to present


PARSHAT VA'ERA
REDEMPTION COMES IN STAGES
JANUARY 15-16, 2010 / 1 SHEVAT 5770


In this week's portion, God tells Moshe to
tell the children of Israel that he will
soon take them out of Egypt.


PARSHAT SHEMOT
THE BUSH AS A SYMBOL OF EMPATHY
JANUARY 8-9, 2010 / 23 TEVET 5770


Why, out of all places, did God reveal himself
to Moshe (Moses) through the burning
bush - sneh (Exodus 3:2)?


PARSHAT VA-YECHI
THE SIGNIFICANT RESPONSE OF SILENCE
JANUARY 1-2, 2010 / 16 TEVET 5770


As Ya'akov (Jacob) blesses his children, he
tells his eldest, Reuven, that kingship
will not come from him as he


PARSHAT VAYIGASH
YEHUDAH: A FITTING MODEL OF RECONCILIATION
DECEMBER 25-26, 2009 / 9 TEVET 5770


Our portion opens with Yehudah (Judah) standing
before Yosef (Joseph). Through Yehudah's plea,
the entire family of Ya'akov (Jacob) is kept intact.


PARSHAT MIKETZ
REMAINING TRUE TO OUR ROOTS WHEREVER WE ARE
DECEMBER 18-19, 2009 / 2 TEVET 5770


When Yosef (Joseph) is appointed second to
the king by Pharaoh he is given an
Egyptian name. In the words of


PARSHAT VAYESHEV -
A CHANUKAH REFLECTION
SPIRIT: A NECESSARY COMPONENT OF TRUE STRENGTH
DECEMBER 11-12, 2009 / 25 KISLEV 5770


It is well known that on the first day of
Chanukah one candle is lit. On each successive
night, one more is kindled. This in fact is
the view of Beit Hillel


PARSHAT VAYISHLACH
YA'AKOV'S STRUGGLE: A MODEL OF TESHUVAH
DECEMBER 4-5, 2009 / 18 KISLEV 5770


Could Ya'akov's (Jacob) altercation with
a mysterious man have been the beginning of
a process of repentance for having taken
the blessings of his brother Esau?


PARSHAT VAYETZE
TRANSFORMING THE IMPOSSIBLE INTO
THE POSSIBLE
NOVEMBER 27-28, 2009 / 11 KISLEV 5770


Although we are given a tremendous amount
of information about their lives, it
is certain that not every


PARSHAT TOLDOT
YAAKOV AND YISRAEL: THE
INTEGRATION OF BODY AND SOUL
NOVEMBER 20-21, 2009 / 4 KISLEV 5770


This week's portion tells of Yitzchak's
(Isaac) special love for Esav (Esau) and Rivka's
(Rebecca) special love for Yaakov (Jacob). (Genesis 25:28)


PARSHAT CHAYEI SARAH
TRUE OWNERSHIP COMES ONLY THROUGH
PERSONAL EFFORT
NOVEMBER 13-14, 2009 / 27 CHESHVAN 5770


Years ago I was privileged to be in Rav
Ahron Soloveichik's shiur (Torah class).
Although most know him for his


PARSHAT VAYERA
THE QUESTION IS NOT WHETHER ONE
WILL STRAY, RATHER HOW WILL WE
RESPOND WHEN WE STRAY
NOVEMBER 6-7, 2009 / 20 CHESHVAN 5770


As Hagar sits a distance from her dying son
Yishmael an angel appears and declares "Mah
lakh Hagar? What ails you Hagar?" (Genesis 21:17)


PARSHAT LECH-LECHA
THE GREATEST ROLE MODELS ARE
ONES THAT SHOWS THEY ARE TRULY HUMAN
OCTOBER 30-31, 2009 / 13 HESHVAN 5770


At Sarah's insistence, Abraham marries Hagar. Soon
after, Hagar becomes pregnant and Sarah then becomes
enraged. Here, the Torah uses the word va-te-a' ne-hah,


PARSHAT NOACH
LIFE IS MADE UP OF A BALANCE
BETWEEN SAMENESS AND NEWNESS
OCTOBER 23-24, 2009 / 6 CHESHVAN 5770


At the conclusion of the deluge, God proclaimed
that "while the earth remains...day and night shall
not cease." (Genesis 8:22) Rashi
deduces from this verse that


PARSHAT BEREISHIT
THE MESSAGE OF THE GARDEN OF EDEN
OCTOBER 16-17, 2009 / 29 TISHREI 5770


Why did Adam and Eve disobey God and
eat from the tree of knowledge?


PARSHAT VEZOT HA-BRACHAH
A SIMCHAT TORAH REFLECTION
OCTOBER 10, 2009/ 22 TISHREI 5770


The last portion of the Torah reverberates with the
image of circles. After all, immediately after its
reading, we start the Torah from the beginning again.
We have, indeed, come full circle.


SUKKOT: THE SECRET TO HAPPINESS
OCTOBER 3, 2009 / 15 TISHREI 5770


Sukkot is the only festival referred to as Zman
Simchateinu, the time of happiness in our
liturgy. The Torah, in its


TRUSTING GOD
A YOM KIPPUR REFLECTION
SEPTEMBER 25-28, 2009 / 8-10 TISHREI 5770


Rabbi Yaacov ben Asher writes that during different
times in prayer, there are different physical postures
that we take. We stand when reciting the Amidah and
fall on our faces when saying the
prayer of Tahanun. (Tur, Orakh Hayyim 131)


A TASTE OF TORAH IN HONOR OF
SHABBAT AND YOM TOV
A ROSH HASHANAH REFLECTION
SEPTEMBER 19-20, 2009/ 1-2 TISHREI 5770


We live in a world where people emphasize
history-their past, or the future-their hopes
and dreams. Does the


PARSHAT NITZAVIM/VAYELEKH
TESHUVAH: GOD'S RETURN TO US
SEPTEMBER 11-12, 2009 / 23 ELUL 5769


Parshat Netzavim is replete with the message
of teshuvah (repentance). Teshuvah is most often
associated with our return to God.






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