“Is perhaps the tree of the field a man, to go into the siege before you?” (Dt 20:19). “Ki haAdam Etz haShade labo miPaneikha beMatzor” Rashi says this is a question; he interprets the word “Ki” as meaning: ‘perhaps’. However, this Hebrew particle indicates casual relations of all kinds. It can also be translated Read More
13 Petals
Parashat Ekev – the Heel and Messiah
“It will come to pass, because (eikev) you will listen to these judgments… God will safeguard unto you the covenant and the kindness he swore to your fathers” (Dt7:12). One expects this to be conditional: “If you’d listen to these judgments” (Im tiShmeun et hamishpatim haEleh), but it says: “Because you will listen to these Read More
Soul Chart
This chart presents a number of ideas from Torah in a fashion that shows a relationship between them based on the Four-letter Name of G-d. There are actually five parts to this Name when the top part of the first letter (called the “cusp” or “apex” of the Yod) is included. The information on this Read More
Pekudei: Three Names for the Tabernacle
Everything that applies to the Temple or the Tabernacle also applies to us. For we are a Temple, as explained many times in previous lessons, for it says (Ex 25:8): “Let them make me a Sanctuary so that I may dwell among them; i.e. within them”. The Nefesh haKhayim says that If man sanctifies himself Read More
Parashat BeKhukotai – The Fourth Torah
If in my statutes you will walk (im bekhukotai telechu)” (Lv 26:3). PART I – The Irrational Commands Generally speaking, the commands are divided in two main categories (Lv 25:18): “Khukot (statutes) and Mishpatim (laws or judgments)”. While Mishpatim (judgments) are logical (ethical and comprehensive) laws, the Khukot are the kind of commands that are Read More
Parashat Behar – In Faith we Count
PART I – The religion of counting To what can I compare the Jewish people? They are like a beggar who was given a great amount of money, and he counted the money, and counted it, and when finished, he counted it again… and although he didn’t use it yet, his Joy was so Read More
Emor – Unifying God’s Name
“Say to Aaron… None of your descendants who has a defect may come near… No man who has any defect may… come near the curtain or approach the altar and so desecrate my sanctuary” (Lv 21:16-21). The congregation of Israel is called whole (heb. shalem); as it’s written: “Malki-Tzedek king of wholeness (Shalem)” (Gn 14:18). Read More
Parashat Kedoshim – the Torah is about Love
This portion is named: ‘Kedoshim’ (holy ones) after the verse: “Be holy because I, HaShem, am Holy”. This is called the “love” parasha, and Hillel the sage and one of the greatest students of his house – Rabbi Akiva – taught that it contains the Heart of the Torah. The portion is all about Love. Read More
Parashat Akharei Mot – Azazel and the Fallen Angels
Azazel – Uzza and Azael This week I wanted to address one of the topics often asked in private messages. Enjoy it (Ps: Probably this approach won’t be welcome by the the ‘rational Judaism’ movement, but it’s a kosher approach among the Hassidim). “And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats: one lot for Read More
Parashat Tazria-Metzora: Circumcision and Leprosy
This week’s Parasha begins with some ideas already presented in Parashat Shemini. For example, the need to immerse (baptize) in water for purification, and once again, the number 8’s importance. PART I – The 8th Day Circumcision “On the eight day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised” (Lv 12:3). Here we find the Read More