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9 essays
Vayakelתשפ״ג
Big Tent
This essay explores the themes of yearning for redemption and the transient nature of existence as expressed in Tehillim 61, connecting it to the Mishkan and the importance of how we are remembered.
Tehillim
Shemosתשפ״ג
Bonding Experience
Kapital 91 emphasizes trust in Hashem for protection and comfort during difficult times, highlighting the connection between faith and divine support.
Tehillim
Vaeraתשפ״ג
Go Fish
The essay explores the connections between the Parsha Va'era and its Haftorah from Yechezkel, focusing on the metaphors used to describe Pharaoh and the people of Mitzrayim as fish, illustrating their spiritual failings and the consequences of their actions.
Parsha
Ki Sisaתשפ״ג
Ki Sisa - Ups and Downs
This essay explores the themes of justice and the consequences of the Chet HaEgel, emphasizing the shift from a divine status to a human one for Klal Yisroel.
Tehillim
Beshalachתשפ״ג
Long Game
Kapital 106 reflects on the history of the Jewish nation and the kindness of Hashem, emphasizing the importance of faith and recognition of divine providence.
Tehillim
Terumahתשפ״ג
Small Spaces
The essay explores the themes of yearning for divine presence and guidance during exile, as expressed in Tehillim 80, while connecting it to the concept of the Keruvim and the Mishkan.
Tehillim
Yisroתשפ״ג
Sunny Days
The essay explores the connection between the sun and the Torah, emphasizing how both serve as sources of light and guidance for humanity. It discusses the importance of recognizing Hashem through creation and the role of Torah in achieving a deeper understanding of divine will.
Tehillim
Mishpatimתשפ״ג
פרק ט׳׳ו - Mishpatim: Zero Interest
Tehillim 15 answers Dovid Hamelech's question of who merits closeness to Hashem, culminating with avoiding Ribis and Shochad — which Chazal explain as refraining even from permitted cases (Ribis Akum, a Dayan recusing himself over past benefit), i.e. acting Lifnim Mishuras HaDin. Drawing on Maharal (via R' Chaim Friedlander) that Ribis is called an 'Ol' because charging interest is intuitive and natural, the essay explains why Chazal equate accepting the Ol Ribis with Kabalas Ol Malchus Shamayim and tie it to Yetzias Mitzrayim: denying Ribis is denying the purpose of the Exodus. One who trains himself to forgo even permitted profit and permitted self-interest conditions himself to place Hashem's will above his own, and is thus worthy of a Makom Kavod.
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