Our parasha contains two pasukim that reiterate the prohibition of avodah zarah (idol worship) and its practices, the commandment to completely destroy all monuments associated with idol worship … more

This Shabbat has two complementary identities. It is known first and foremost as Shabbat Parashat Re’eh after the name of this week’s Torah reading, and secondly, as Shabbat Mevarchim … more

Our parasha begins with the famous words, “And Yaakov left Beersheba, and he went to Charan” (Bereishit 28:10). Yaakov’s departure is a direct response to his mother Rivka’s … more

The Choshen Mishpat, worn by the Kohane Gadol, is one of the more fascinating bigdei kahuna (garments of the kohanim) described in our parasha, Tetzaveh: “And you [Moshe] shall make a … more

This week’s haftarah is focused on Yechezkel’s well-known nevuah (prophecy) of the “Dry Bones,” that begins: “The hand of Hashem came upon me and carried me out in the … more

The mitzvah of dwelling in the sukkah initially appears to be quite straightforward. By way of illustration, the Rambam formulates the obligation in this manner: “What is the mitzvah of … more

Our parasha, Ki Tavo, contains a passage that has gained considerable fame due to its inclusion in the Haggadah: “And you shall call out and say before the L-rd, your G-d, ‘An Aramean … more

O ur Sages, in Tosefta Berachot 4:17-18, ask a fundamental question: “Why did Yehudah merit kingship?” After all, each of the brothers was great in his own way; why, then, was Yehudah and … more

The untimely and completely supernatural death of Nadav and Avihu serves as one of the focal points of this week’s parasha. Nadav and Avihu were the sons of Aharon and Elisheva: “Aaron took to himself for a wife, Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab, the sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.” more

The final pasuk of our parasha is somewhat difficult to understand: “Moses spoke to the children of Israel in accordance with all that the L-rd had commanded Moses.” (Sefer Bamidbar 30:1) … more