Parshas Tazria-Metzorah
Rabbi Berel Wein The laws regarding ritual purity and the metaphysical disease of tzoraat, which, by the way, is not the medically recognized disease of leprosy, affect three categories of human life and society: the human body, clothing and houses. These three areas of human societal existence are the basic building blocks of civilization and […]
Swallow Your Words
Rabbi Zvi Teichman The root problem of the מצרע — the Metzora is evident in his very name: צָר עַ[ — a stingy eye. One who possesses an ‘evil eye’, one laced with jealousy and contempt for all who disturb his narrow view of the universe and his machinations, will infiltrate negativity to every interaction, […]
Pesach
Rabbi Berel Wein The holiday of Pesach represents many basic values in Jewish life. Foremost, naturally, is that of liberty and freedom from oppression, slavery, and domination by others. The holiday is described as being the holiday of our freedom. But there is another basic idea and value that underlies the commemoration of our exodus […]
Parshas Tzav
Rabbi Berel Wein The parsha of Tzav more often than not coincides with the Shabbat preceding Pesach – Shabbat Hagadol, the “great Shabbat.” At first glance, there does not seem to be any inherent connection between the parsha of Tzav and Shabbat Hagadol and Pesach. However, since Judaism little recognizes randomness or happenstance regarding Jewish […]
The Door is Open
Rabbi Zvi Teichman After having read the Haggadah, performing all the special mitzvos of the night, partaken of a delicious and festive meal, we then recite an enthused birkas hamazon, drink the third cup of wine, and then immediately pour a fourth one, over which we will recite the rest of Hallel, offering heartfelt praise […]
Parshas Vayikra
Rabbi Berel Wein With the beginning of the reading of the Book of Vayikra this Shabbat in the synagogue, the title of the book itself calls out to us for understanding what is meant when the Torah tells us that G-d called out to Moshe. Moshe experiences a special and unique method of G-dly revelation. […]
Sensitive Souls
Rabbi Zvi Teichman The Torah reiterates several times the magnificent partnership between Betzalel and Ohaliav who both possessed the requisite supernal wisdom and skill that was needed for the proper construction of the Tabernacle and all its holy and intricate vessels and components. The Torah punctuates at every mention of this pair the fact that […]
Parshas Vayakel Pekudei
Rabbi Berel Wein The book of Shemot that began with such high drama just a few months ago ends this week on a rather “bland” and apparently purely technical note. The Torah once more reviews and recounts for us the details of the construction of the Mishkan and an exact accounting of the material goods […]
Parshas Ki Tisa
Rabbi Berel Wein One of the more mystical rituals in the Mishkan was the ketoret – the offering of incense on the altar. The incense, when burned by fire, provided a fragrant cloud of smoke that permeated the tent of the Mishkan. The Torah is very exact and detailed in describing the ingredients and formula […]
Knowing You Inside Out
Rabbi Zvi Teichman If you ask the average ‘man on the street’ what their goal in life is, you’re more than likely to hear them respond; ‘finding happiness’. We all want to be happy, the question is how to achieve it. There is only one instance in the entire Torah where someone is described as […]