Ancient Connection – Modern Pioneers
Every school child knows the story. God told Moses to go speak to Pharaoh. Moses came to the evil Pharaoh and spoke the iconic words, “Let my people go!” But with all due respect to wonderful kindergarten songs, a simple perusal of our parsha reveals that this is actually not what Moshe Rabbeinu said. Throughout […]
As Yaakov Avinu gathers the shevatim around his deathbed, he blesses them and prophesizes about their future. The Gemara Pesachim (56a) famously tells us that as Yaakov prepared to reveal eschatological secrets, the Divine Presence departed from him. He worried that one of his son’s may be inadequate to receive the prophecy, “perhaps, God forbid, […]
As Yaakov Avinu impersonates Eisav and enters Yitzchak’s presence, the elderly and blind Yitzchak comments on the scent of Yaakov’s garments. “ראה ריח בני כריח שדה אשר ברכו ה’, see the smell of my son is like the aroma of a field that was blessed by God.” Chazal are perturbed by Yitzchak’s enthusiasm over this […]
Avraham Avinu famously takes on the role of defense attorney for the evil people of Sedom and Amorah. Although these decrepit societies were the antithesis of everything that Avraham stood for, he boldly prays on their behalf when HaKadosh Baruch Hu informs Avraham that He is considering destroying them. (It is worth noting in this […]
An obvious and classic question is annually asked on the Shabbat of Parshat Lech Lecha. Hashem speaks to Avraham Avinu, selecting him for the most awesome divine mission that will change the destiny of his progeny forever. He is promised a great nation, fame, and blessing. Not many people in history merited direct communication with […]
Tucked away in the beautiful writings of Chazal, one can find a deliberate connection being established between the teiva of Noach and the Beit HaMikdash. The Midrash Rabbah (Bereishit Rabbah 26:2) homiletically interprets the verse in Sefer Tehillim (92:14) that describes the righteous tzaddik being planted in the house of Hashem, שתולים בבית ה’. The […]
The Gemara Yoma (64b) records a fundamental debate amongst the Tannaim as to how the world was created. Throughout the extended discussion, the Chachamim, the sages of the beit medrash, conclude that Jerusalem is truly the center of the world. מציון נבראו, both the land and sky were created from Tzion. The אבן שתייה serves as the Foundational Stone for all of creation. This central role of Jerusalem is […]
Normally, when reciting birkat hamazon during a yom tov, we say a generic verse for all holidays הרחמן הוא ינחילנו יום שכלו טוב, “the Compassionate One! May He cause us to inherit the day which is completely good.” And yet, on the first night of Sukkot, we will recite two verses. In addition to the […]
Only once a year was entry into the Kodesh HaKadoshim sanctioned. With the service of the haktarat haketoret, the burning of the incense, the Kohen Gadol was allowed to enter the holiest sanctum in the world. The Gemara Keritot (6a-6b) explicates the various different ingredients of the ketoret and their measurements. Almost all of the […]
The tractate of Makkot famously ends with the story of four tannaitic sages ascending to see Jerusalem. Rabban Gamliel, Rebbe Elazar ben Azaryah, Rebbe Yehoshua, and Rebbe Akiva lived immediately after the destruction of the second temple. They would periodically return to Jerusalem, presumably to yearnfully pray for the city’s restoration. When they reached the […]
