“And they will build Me a sanctuary and I will dwell amongst them.” (Exodus 25:8) “Build it for ME,” G-d says. For My names sake. I want to dwell amongst man in this world. Such is My desire. G-d is not asking for perfection from mankind. Only for a welcome into this world. Terumah (Exodus [...]
Immediately following the majestic Sinai revelation Israel finds itself involved in an intense study of civil laws. It is these laws which form a just society and cement proper and respectful relations between neighbors which, in turn, paves the way from earth back to heaven, and creates the sapphire brickwork that binds Israel to G-d [...]
G-d brought Israel out of Egypt to lead them to freedom. He also brought them out to serve Him. Are they free or are they the servants of G-d? Or are they both? Fifty days after leaving Egypt, as Israel receives Torah at Sinai, the shofars are sounded, signifying that this is indeed a Jubilee [...]
When G-d parted the waters of the Sea of Reeds He also parted for Israel the curtains of illusion allowing them to see the true reality – a timeless moment of recognition of the Divine light surrounding and permeating our world. Beshalach (Exodus 3:17-17:16) Parashat Beshalach is read on Shabbat: Shvat 11, 5772/February 4, 2012 [...]
Plague after devastating plague, G-d wreaks unspeakable havoc upon Egypt, leaving no stone unturned as He shows Pharaoh who’s the boss. In the midst of this unravelling of the warp and woof of creation, why does G-d give to Israel the sighting of the new moon as the first commandment for them to perform? Bo [...]
G-d will not be denied. He will redeem His people and His voice will be heard, even in the cacophony of the frogs croaking from inside the bellies of Pharaoh and his crew. Va’era (Exodus 6:2-9:35) Parashat Va’era is read on Shabbat: Tevet 26, 5772/January 21, 2012 Temple Institute Links: – Website – Support – [...]
Pharaoh employed sundry stratagems to uproot and destroy the children of Israel, chillingly reminiscent of recent and contemporary programs to annihilate Israel. Yet, despite it all, Israel abides. But why did G-d put Israel in Egypt? What was the Egyptian exile all about? Shemot (Exodus 1:1-6:1) Parashat Shemot is read on Shabbat: Tevet 19, 5772/January [...]
When Yaakov asks of Yosef “Who are these?” it is not because his eyes are dim or that he does not know Yosef’s sons intimately. It is because in his prophetic mind’s eye he see the boys’ greatness in the future redemption of Israel, which is taking place today. His words are not a question [...]
His brothers were in shock when Yosef said “I am Yosef,” thereby removing from their eyes the blinders preventing them from seeing G-d’s presence in every moment and in every action. So startled were they that they could not respond, they could not comprehend. Their souls left them. How much greater would be the shock [...]
How strong is the bond between a parent and a child? A father and a son? Yaakov could not be comforted by Yosef’s loss. Just what did Yaakov know concerning Yosef’s apparent demise? Why was there a “conspiracy of silence” surrounding Yosef’s disappearance? Miketz (Genesis 41:1-44:17) Parashat Miketz is read on Shabbat: Kislev 28, 5772/December [...]
The high drama of parashat Vayeshev comes to teach us two things, which are really only one: We must be ever ready to take upon ourselves the task that G-d has chosen for us, and our time on this earth is not for our own leisure, but to realize the role that G-d has intended [...]
Yaakov avinu’s (our forefather Jacob’s) midnight encounter with a mysterious angel: Who was this angel, what was his purpose, and by what name was he known? Yaakov overcomes the angel, and by doing so gains insight into all these questions. He also acquires for himself a new name, a new identity, and a new role [...]
Avraham saw his appointed meeting place with G-d as a distant and foreboding mountain, (Mount Moriah), and Yitzchak envisioned the Holy Temple to be a field, accessible and alive. But it was Yaakov who understood the Holy Temple to be a home, a nurturing, loving center in which G-d and all mankind can embrace. Vayeitzei [...]
The classic tale of deception and intrigue. But who is deceiving who? and who is really being fooled? Ya’akov dons precious garments and goat skins, but by doing so is he deceiving his father Yitzchak, or is he opening Yitzchak’s eyes for the first time to a lifetime of deception he has suffered at the [...]
Sara imenu – our matriarch Sara – was a woman of unparalleled beauty and spiritual strength, whose power of prophecy was greater, our sages teach us, than that of her husband Avraham. Yet, according to Midrash, she was ultimately felled by an enemy common to us all: the satan who feeds on our own fears [...]
Why was Avraham Avinu interceding on behalf of the wicked people of the decadent city of Sodom? Was he your typical bleeding-heart liberal who can’t distinguish between right and wrong? On the contrary, Avraham was showing his faith to the one true G-d and to the role that G-d granted him as guarantor of humanity. [...]
“Always the bride’s maid,” the quiet month of Mar Cheshvan will yet have its day in the sun. Our sages teach us that the dedication of the future Holy Temple will be in the month of Mar Cheshvan, but for that to happen, we will need to roll up our sleeves and get serious about [...]
Avraham Avinu bursts upon the scene of world history, fighting for G-d’s name. Self-titled kings band together to try to take Avraham out and to rid the world of G-d once and for all. But you cannot defeat the King of kings, and being allied to the one true G-d puts our father Avraham in [...]
Noach, the innovator, the preacher, the builder, the savior of mankind, was, indeed, a vast and complex personality. In both his strengths and his tragic foibles, he proved very much to be a figure recognizable in our day. While he may have been a righteous man in his generation alone, the breadth and depth of [...]
Moses – singing his song just for us – a song that will never grow old and never let us grow deaf to the Torah of G-d. But not content to be a solo performer, Moses calls upon every one of us to sing our own song. What better way to put our own lives [...]
It is Moses’ last day on earth and he is pressing Israel to decide: Where do we stand and where are we heading? Are we ready to cross the great divide, the borderline that separates us from who we are today to who we really need to be? Netzavim-Vayelech (Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30) Parashat Netzavim-Vayelech is read [...]
The twelve massive stones Israel is commanded to to take from the Jordan River bed from the very spot upon which the feet of the priests who held the Ark of the Covenant stood, and to stand upright and build with them an altar and write upon them the entire Torah, are not mere markers [...]
The Torah readings of the book of Deuteronomy which are read in the current month of Elul, as we approach Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur, are perfectly timed and exquisitely choreographed to encourage us and strengthen us as we take stock of our selves and strive to better our selves for the upcoming year. Ki [...]
As Moses continues to flesh out G-d’s plan for a Torah based society in the land of Israel, one thing becomes crystal clear: The Holy Temple from which shines forth the Divine presence, (Shechina), is the light and the source of justice – how we treat our fellow man, and worship – how we stand [...]
As Moses prepares the nation to enter the land he stays focused on the one great challenge that lays before him and the people: To take a congregation of individuals and forge them into one mighty nation, united and dedicated to creating a Torah infused reality in the land of Israel. Re’eh (Deuteronomy 1:26-16:17) Parashat [...]