A Blessing of Peace
In this week’s parshah, we find the priestly blessing with which Aharon and his descendants are commanded to bless Bnei Yisroel throughout the generations: יברכך ה' וישמרך. יאר ה' פניו אליך ויחנך. ישא ה' פניו אליך וישם לך שלום. May Hashem bless you and guard you. May Hashem illuminate His countenance towards you and show…
Singers and Gate-Keepers
The Holy Tribe
In this week's parsha we learn about the special role of the Leviim, who served as the caretakers of the Mishkan and the assistants of the Kohanim in their service. The unique status of the Leviim was emphasized by the separate census that was taken of their Tribe alone. The rest of the Jewish people…
The Fountain of Life
"אִם בְּחֻקֹּתַי תֵּלֵכוּ וְאֶת מִצְוֹתַי תִּשְׁמְרוּ וַעֲשִׂיתֶם אֹתָם, וְנָתַתִּי גִשְׁמֵיכֶם בְּעִתָּם וְנָתְנָה הָאָרֶץ יְבוּלָהּ וְעֵץ הַשָּׂדֶה יִתֵּן פִּרְיוֹ." "If you walk in My statutes and guard My mitzvos to perform them, then I will grant your rains in their proper times. The land will give forth its produce and the trees of the field will…
The Book of the Straightforward
The Faithful and the Mighty
1. Who is Mighty? In this week’s parsha we find the mitzva of shemitta, which obligates farmers in Eretz Yisrael to let their fields lie fallow every seventh year, and allow passersby and wild animals alike to eat freely from their produce. In recognition of the strength of character demanded of the…
Labor of Love
In discussing the laws of Jewish slaves and the special degree of compassion that their masters must show them, the Torah concludes with the explanation: כִּי לִי בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עֲבָדִים עֲבָדַי הֵם אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתִי אוֹתָם מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם אֲנִי ה' אֱלֹקיכֶם. "For Bnei Yisrael are My slaves. They are My slaves, whom I…
From Pesach to Shavuos
Seven Times Seven
This week’s parsha discusses the mitzva of Sefiras HaOmer: וספרתם לכם ממחרת השבת מיום הביאכם את עמר התנופה שבע שבתות תמימת תהיינה. עד ממחרת השבת השביעת תספרו חמשים יום והקרבתם מנחה חדשה לה'. “You shall count for yourselves from the day after the rest-day (Pesach), from the day that you offer the Omer…