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13 essays
VayelechYom Kippurתשע״ז
Be Strong
This week's Parsha teaches the importance of facing challenges with strength and faith in Hashem's support, especially during the Aseres Yimei Teshuva.
Parsha
Behaloschaתשע״ז
Destination Please
The essay explores the conversation between Moshe and Yisro, emphasizing the importance of Yisro's presence for the Jewish people and the significance of treating converts with love and respect.
Parsha
Korachתשע״ז
Korach Stick Figures
The essay explores the story of Korach and the significance of the Mateh Aron sprouting almonds, emphasizing the message of individual holiness and the power of collective action in realizing Hashem's will.
Parsha
Balakתשע״ז
Mouth Off
Parshas Balak highlights the unusual role of Bnei Yisroel as background players while exploring the significance of Moshe's strength and the concept of 'Kocho B’Piv'.
Parsha
Ki Sisaתשע״ז
Night and Day
The essay explores the Chet HaEgel, emphasizing the importance of understanding the roots of mistakes and recognizing personal growth to avoid similar pitfalls.
Parsha
Parshas Vayeshev
Parshas Vayeshev explores the relationship between Yosef and his brothers, focusing on the implications of Yehudah's words and actions. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing the divine hand in our lives, especially during Chanukah.
Parsha
Vayigashתשע״ז
Parshas Vayigash
This week's Parsha discusses Yosef's reunion with his family and his economic policies in Mitzrayim, highlighting the exemption of the Kohanim from taxes as a form of gratitude and preparation for future challenges.
Parsha
Pinchasתשע״ז
Pinchas
This essay explores the significance of the Korban Tamid and its placement in the Torah, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a personal connection to Hashem even as the national experience changes.
Parsha
Vaeraתשע״ז
Power of Three
This essay explores the significance of the number three in relation to Moshe and Aron’s genealogy and their leadership roles, emphasizing the concept of balance represented by the Middah of Tiferes.
Parsha
Shoftimתשע״ז
Shoftim: These Days
The essay explores the seemingly superfluous words "HaShofet Asher Yihiyeh Bayamim Hahem" in the parsha's instruction to bring difficult cases to the higher court, which the Gemara in Rosh Hashana explains as a warning against comparing today's authorities unfavorably to earlier generations. Drawing on the Bnei Yissaschar's reading that a person's inability to resolve a halachic question stems from his own aveiros rooted in kinah, taavah and kavod, the author suggests the Torah is anticipating the despondency that follows such self-awareness. Rather than lamenting our diminished stature relative to prior doros, we must turn to the Morei Derech Hashem placed in our own generation \u2014 a fitting message for the opening days of Elul.
Parsha
Beshalachתשע״ז
The Oasis
This essay explores the significance of the oasis in Elim, where Bnei Yisroel found twelve springs and seventy date trees, symbolizing the diverse paths to Torah and Mitzvos amidst their journey in the Midbar.
Parsha
Yisroתשע״ז
Universal Response
The essay discusses the events leading up to Kabalas HaTorah at Har Sinai, emphasizing the unity of Klal Yisroel in accepting the Torah and the importance of passing it on to future generations.
Parsha
Unto Others
This essay explores the lessons from Yehuda's commitment to bring Binyamin back and its implications for personal responsibility and influencing others, connecting it to the themes of Chanukah.
Parsha