Just Go Out…. – Parashat Ki Teitzei

Just Go Out…. – Parashat Ki Teitzei

“….If you go out to war against your enemies, and G-d, your G-d, will deliver him into your hands, and you will take his captives….” (Devarim 21:10) כִּי תֵצֵא לַמִּלְחָמָה עַל אֹיְבֶיךָ וּנְתָנוֹ ה’ אֱלֹקֶיךָ בְּיָדֶךָ וְשָׁבִיתָ שִׁבְיוֹ – דברים כא, י The wars addressed in this verse are not only those fought on the physical battlefield. The number one […]

September 11, 2019 at 1:47 AM 0 comments

Don’t Put Your Guests at Risk

Don’t Put Your Guests at Risk

“….When you build a new house you shall make a guardrail for your roof, so as not to cause blood in your house when the faller will fall from it….” (Devarim 22:8)    כי תבנה בית חדש ועשית מעקה לגגך ולא תשים דמים בביתך כי יפל הנפל ממנו  – דברים כב, ח   This verse speaks of building a home not […]

September 9, 2019 at 2:48 AM 0 comments

Beware of Heights – Parashat Ki Teitzei

Beware of Heights – Parashat Ki Teitzei

“…When you build a new house you shall make a guardrail for your roof, so as not to cause blood in your house; for he who falls will fall from it…..” (Devarim 22:8) כי תבנה בית חדש ועשית מעקה לגגך ולא תשים דמים בביתך כי יפל הנפל ממנו – דברים כב, ח “House” – This includes also the rooftop of […]

September 7, 2019 at 2:14 AM 0 comments

Planting Smart

Planting Smart

כִּי הָאָדָם עֵץ הַשָּׂדֶה – דברים כ, יט “…Is the tree of the field a man…” (Devarim 20:19) Translated literally, this verse is asking a rhetorical question: is the tree a human being? Why then should a tree be wantonly destroyed even when waging a war against the inhabitants of the city? We find, however, that the Talmud interprets this […]

August 31, 2019 at 2:50 AM 0 comments

Counseling Law

Counseling Law

“You shall set up judges and law enforcement officials for yourself in all your cities…” – Devarim 16:18 שפטים ושטרים תתן לך בכל שעריך – דברים טז, יח In every city where Jews live, the Torah instructs us to set up court systems comprising judges who determine the law, and officials who enforce the judges’ rulings. In the prophecies regarding […]

August 30, 2019 at 2:10 AM 0 comments

Love What You Learn – Parashat Shoftim

Love What You Learn – Parashat Shoftim

You may eat from them, but you shall not cut them down. Is the man a tree of the field? (Devarim 20:19) “The man a tree of the field” …If a Torah scholar is upright, you should benefit from him (alone – Tosfos) and not cut off from him. —Talmud, Taanis 7a The Talmud interprets this verse as reference to […]

August 27, 2019 at 3:40 PM 0 comments

The Real King

The Real King

שׂוֹם תָּשִׂים עָלֶיךָ מֶלֶךְ – דברים יז, טו “…..You shall appoint a king over you….” (Devarim 17:15) When a king is appointed, he is anointed with oil. —Rambam, Hilchos Melachim 1:7 When stating the mitzvah to appoint a king, the Torah does not mention the process of anointing the king with oil. Furthermore, Yehoshua is considered to have the Halachic […]

August 22, 2019 at 3:52 PM 0 comments

Solid Backing

Solid Backing

“…..You are all Standing today before G-od, your G-od: the leaders of your tribes, your elders and your officers, every man of Israel, your young children, your women, and your convert who is within your camp, both your woodcutters and your water drawers. So that you may enter the covenant of G-od, your G-od…” – Devarim 29:9-11 אַתֶּם נִצָּבִים הַיּוֹם […]

September 3, 2018 at 2:08 AM 0 comments

Parashat Nitzavim – What’s so special about your Teshuvah?

Parashat Nitzavim – What’s so special about your Teshuvah?

A week before Rosh Hashana we wonder what is our status in the eyes of Hashem, does our Teshuvah really counts and are we going to be blessed this coming year. More than that, what is Hashem’s expectations of us? Duration of class:1:00:11              

September 2, 2018 at 2:30 AM 0 comments

Can Teshuvah Be an Obligation?

Can Teshuvah Be an Obligation?

“…And you will return to Hashem your G-d, and you will listen to His voice…” – Devarim 30:2 וְשַׁבְתָּ עַד ה’ אֱלֹקֶיךָ וְשָׁמַעְתָּ בְקֹלוֹ – דברים ל, ב The Sefer Mitzvos Katan (#53) interprets this verse as a command to do teshuvah; meaning, one has a positive obligation to repent, and has neglected a mitzvah if he does not. Others, however, […]

September 2, 2018 at 2:29 AM 0 comments

Your Happiness is My Happiness

Your Happiness is My Happiness

“…And it will be, when you come into the land which G-d, your G-d, gives you for an inheritance, and you possess it and settle in it, that you shall take of the first of all the fruit of the ground… ” (Devarim 26:1-2) וְהָיָה כִּי תָבוֹא אֶל הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר ה’ אֱלֹקֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ נַחֲלָה וִירִשְׁתָּהּ וְיָשַׁבְתָּ בָּהּ וְלָקַחְתָּ מֵרֵאשִׁית […]

August 28, 2018 at 2:49 AM 0 comments

Raising Children: The Hardest Job of All….

Raising Children: The Hardest Job of All….

“…So we cried out to Hashem, G-d of our fathers, and G-d heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression…” –  (Devarim 26:7) וַנִּצְעַק אֶל ה’ אֱלֹקֵי אֲבֹתֵינוּ וַיִּשְׁמַע ה’ אֶת קֹלֵנוּ וַיַּרְא אֶת עָנְיֵנוּ וְאֶת עֲמָלֵנוּ וְאֶת לַחֲצֵנוּ – דברים כו, ז Our toil – these are the sons, as it is written “Every son […]

August 27, 2018 at 2:59 AM 0 comments

Monarch Psychology… – Parashat Ki Tavo

Monarch Psychology… – Parashat Ki Tavo

Parashat Ki Tavo “…..G-D HAS SET YOU APART THIS DAY TO BE HIS TREASURED PEOPLE, JUST AS HE SPOKE CONCERNING YOU…..” (DEVARIM 26:18) In Shemos 19:5, Rashi explains the significance of being G-d’s “treasure”:   A beloved treasure, like “and the treasures (וּסְגֻלַּת) of the kings” (Koheles 2:8) – costly vessels and precious stones, which the kings store away. Likewise, […]

August 26, 2018 at 7:07 PM 0 comments

Parashat Re’eh – Eat and stay human

Parashat Re’eh – Eat and stay human

The Torah is very particular with which animals are Kosher, how we slaughter the animal, the process of making the meat Kosher and so much more details. One particular detail is the prohibition of eating/drinking blood. why is the Torah so particular with this detail?? Duration of class:58:47              

August 6, 2018 at 2:51 AM 0 comments

The Holiday that was Left Out

The Holiday that was Left Out

The seven days of the festival of Sukkos are followed by Shemini Atzeres (and Simchas Torah). Regarding the seven days of Sukkos, the Torah explicitly commands us to be additionally joyous, even more so than all other festivals. But what of Shemini Atzeres, the eighth day of the holiday? According to the Talmud, the words “you will be only happy” […]

August 5, 2018 at 1:15 AM 0 comments

Under Renovation

Under Renovation

“……And you shall tear down their altars… You shall not do so to G-d, your G-d….” – Devarim 12:3-4 וְנִתַּצְתֶּם אֶת מִזְבְּחֹתָם . . לֹא תַעֲשׂוּן כֵּן לַה’ אֱלֹקֵיכֶם – דברים יב, ג-ד Anyone who demolishes a single stone from the Altar or any part of the Temple building… with a destructive intent is worthy of lashes, as is written: […]

August 5, 2018 at 1:05 AM 0 comments

The Seasons: A Cycle of Growth

The Seasons: A Cycle of Growth

“…Safeguard the month of spring, and offer a Pesach to G-d…” – Devarim 16:1 We are commanded to set up the calendar in a manner that ensures that the holiday of Pesach will always be in the spring. The season of spring and its symbolism teach us a most uplifting and inspirational lesson. Throughout the winter, the earth’s processes of […]

August 5, 2018 at 1:01 AM 0 comments

Enjoying the Joy of Yom Tov

Enjoying the Joy of Yom Tov

Even though the simcha mentioned here refers to the korban shlamim… included in this simcha is to make himself, his children and members of his household joyous, each one according to his means. How? For children one gives roasted kernels and nuts and sweets. For women one buys clothing and pleasant jewelry based on what one can afford. And men […]

August 5, 2018 at 1:01 AM 0 comments

Parashat Ekev – What’s so special about the Mitzvah of Mezuza?

Parashat Ekev – What’s so special about the Mitzvah of Mezuza?

One of the most common Mitzvot Jews do is hang a Mezuza on their door post. Have you ever wondered why the Mezuza has special protection powers? And since the Mezuza has protection power, should I still do the Mitzva even though I am doing it for it’s reward? Duration of class:1:21:40            

July 30, 2018 at 3:27 AM 0 comments

What’s On Your Mind? – Parashat Eikev

What’s On Your Mind? – Parashat Eikev

“…..And you shall teach them to your children to speak with them, when you sit in your house and when you go on the way; when you lie down and when you rise….” (Devarim 11:19) The final words of this verse teach that the mitzvos of studying Torah and reciting the Shema (“to speak with them”) must be observed at […]

July 29, 2018 at 2:20 AM 0 comments