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8 essays
Ki Sisaתשפ״ו
Our Father Before Us
The essay explores why Moshe Rabbeinu’s prayers following the Sin of the Golden Calf were only answered after he invoked the 'Zechus Avos' (merit of the Patriarchs). Drawing on the metaphor of a grapevine leaning on old wood, it suggests that the Avos established the foundational desire to know and cling to God (Aggadah), and by invoking them, Moshe reframed the Golden Calf not as pure rebellion, but as a misguided attempt to maintain that ancestral connection.
Medrash
Beshalachתשפ״ד
Mountain Range
Kapital 125 reflects on the themes of trust in Hashem and the permanence of Geulah, emphasizing that true protection comes from overcoming challenges, akin to the steadfastness of mountains.
Tehillim
Boתשפ״ג
פרק ע׳׳ז - Bo: By Choice
The essay analyzes Kapital 77 of Tehillim, which Rashi reads as a lament over the decrees of Galus and which culminates in the memory of Yetzias Mitzrayim. It focuses on the phrase "Ga'alta B'Zroah Amecha Bnei Yaakov V'Yosef Selah", joining the Gemara in Sanhedrin (Yosef Kilkel), the Midrash that we were redeemed 'Betrunia' against the Midas HaDin because we resembled the Mitzriyim, and the Midrash in Bamidbar Rabbah linking the two Bakar of Shevet Gad's korban to Yaakov and Yosef. Using the Shem M'Shmuel's identification of Bakar with the middah of Havchana (discernment), the author concludes that the zechus of Yaakov and Yosef was the inherited ability to distinguish right from wrong, which preserved our identity as a Shoshana Bein HaChochim and made the Geulah possible.
Tehillim
Mishpatimתשפ״ב
Mishpatim — Slave Labor
Examining the Haftorah of Mishpatim, in which Tzidkiyahu's generation frees its Jewish slaves during Nevuchadnetzer's siege only to re-enslave them once the danger passes, the essay asks why Chazal identify neglect of Eved Ivri as the exclusive cause of Galus, and why the Nevuah of destruction came only after the re-enslavement. Drawing on Ibn Ezra and the Shem M'Shmuel, it explains that the term 'Ivri' recalls Avraham's crossing of the river into a world of spiritual Cheirus; enslaving a fellow Jew therefore denies the very essence of Klal Yisroel. Having tasted renewed freedom and then rejected it, the people showed they had no conception of being Bnei Avraham living M'Ever L'Nahar, and thus forfeited Eretz Yisroel.
Parsha
Shemosתשפ״א
Lone Savior
The essay explores the themes of exile and redemption in the Haftorah of Shemos, emphasizing the role of Yaakov in redeeming Avrohom and the importance of living a life of independence from outside influences.
Haftorah
Achron Shel Pesach
The essay explores the significance of Krias Yam Suf during Pesach, emphasizing the role of Atzmos Yosef in the miracle and the lessons of connection to our ancestors.
Parsha
Shemosתשע״ט
Shemos — Free Yourself
Reading Sefer Shemos as destiny rather than history, the essay analyzes the sequence of pesukim marking the turning point of Shibud Mitzrayim, focusing on the cryptic "VaYaar Elokim Es Bnei Yisroel VaYeda Elokim." Citing the Yerushalmi in Taanis that five factors brought the Geulah (Tzara, Tzevacha, Zechus Avos, Teshuva, and the Ketz), it asks why the other four were needed once the Ketz arrived. Using the Mabit's insight in Beis Elokim that sin is a Shibud HaNefesh and Teshuva a Geulas HaNefesh, the author argues the four factors are prerequisites that make redemption possible — and that the Teshuva must be a visible, transformative one, worthy of "VaYaar Elokim."
Parsha
Yisroתשע״ט
Yisro
The essay explores the significance of Bnei Yisroel's encampment at Midbar Sinai, focusing on their unity and orientation towards the east, symbolizing a connection to light and heritage as they prepare for Kabbalas Hatorah.
Parsha