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3 essays

  1. Lech Lechaתשפ״ג

    Missing Persons

    This essay explores the connection between Avrohom Avinu and Dovid Hamelech through the lens of Tehillim 89, discussing themes of leadership, faith, and the importance of origins.

    Tehillim

  2. Vayetzeiתשפ״ג

    Peaceful Existence

    This essay explores the connection between Tehillim and the Parsha Vayetzi, focusing on Yaakov Avinu's character as a personification of Shalom amidst challenges.

    Tehillim

  3. 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