Search
5 essays
Ekevתשפ״ו
Ekev: Constant Contact
Moshe's words שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל אַתָּה עֹבֵר הַיּוֹם signaled that after his death Klal Yisroel would no longer rely on his intercessory tefillos — דְּבָרִים אֲחֵרִים יִתְחַדְּשׁוּ. Drawing on the Arugas Habosem's resolution of שִׁוִּיתִי ה' לְנֶגְדִּי תָמִיד with the demand of הִתְחַדְּשׁוּת (unlike a human king, closeness to HKBH only deepens awe), the essay explains that the zechus of Krias Shema — constant connection to Hashem — is precisely what enables the nation to stand on its own. Moshe's hint that they daven for him was thus a test: had they internalized his message, they would recognize they no longer needed his tefillos.
Medrash
Terumahתשפ״ו
Golden Rule
The essay explores the purpose of gold in the world, noting a Midrash that gold was only created for the sake of the Mishkan. It argues that gold represents the potential for both spiritual height and destructive deviation; while it was used for the Golden Calf, its use in the Mishkan serves as a rectification (kapparah) by demonstrating that even the most precious materials must be used strictly 'al pi hadibbur' (according to God's word).
Medrash
Yisroתשפ״ו
Honor Guard
The essay explores the grand welcome Yisro received upon arriving in the desert, featuring Moshe, Aharon, and according to some Midrashim, the Aron Hakodesh. It argues that this display of honor was not 'worldly honor' but a demonstration of the principle that 'true honor is only Torah.' By leaving his high status to study Torah, Yisro transitioned into a new ontological category—a 'Ben Torah'—where honor is an essential definition of one's spiritual elevation rather than a destructive character trait.
Medrash
Vayechiתשפ״ו
The Great Impediment
The essay explores the cryptic blessing 'Veyidgu Larov' given to Ephraim and Menashe, specifically examining a Medrash that links their speech impediment (the 'Shibbolet' incident) to the nature of fish. It argues that this physical impediment was actually a sign of spiritual elevation, where the Neshama is so dominant that it becomes disconnected from the physical act of speech, mirroring the developmental stages of Moshe Rabbeinu's own speech.
Medrash
Toldosתשפ״ו
Voice Lessons
The essay explores why the Torah uses the present tense regarding Rivka's love for Yaakov, rooted in her appreciation of his 'Kol' (voice). Drawing on the Maharal, it defines 'Kol' not just as sound, but as the process of actualizing potential (min hakoach el hapoel), explaining why this trait is the essential power of the Jewish people against Esav.
Medrash