Our parasha, Ki Tetze, begins with the following pasuk: “If you go out to war against your enemies, and the L-rd, your G-d, will deliver him into your hands, and you take his captives” … more

Vayakel and Pekudei are narrative Torah portions that describe the creation of the Mishkan and the bigdei kehuna. The word “vayaas” — “and he made” — is used … more

The concluding section of our parasha, Chayei Sharah, presents the first narrative of the Yitzchak and Rivka story. In the midst of these pasukim, we encounter a verse that conceals far more than it … more

Our parasha, Toldot, contains Yitzchak’s celebrated phrase: “Hakol kol Ya’akov v’hayadayim yedei Eisav — The voice is the voice of Ya’akov, but the hands are … more

The final chapter of Parashat Shemini contains more than 20 pasukim that discuss various aspects of the laws of kashrut. Therein, the Torah gives us general guidelines for determining the status of … more

The essence of Hashem’s purpose in gifting the Torah to the Jewish people is imparted immediately prior to the Revelation at Mount Sinai:  And now, if you obey Me and keep My … more

One of the many fascinating aphorisms in the holy Zohar is found in Parashat Naso, 134: “Everything depends upon mazal — even a Sefer Torah that is in the Aron Kodesh.” If we apply … more

This Sabbath is Shabbat Shuvah, when our spiritual efforts are focused on returning to Hashem. The Rambam’s Hilchot Teshuvah is one of the most celebrated works on teshuvah. Therein, he notes … more

The five books of the Torah contain four instances of the Hebrew word chalilah (far be it). It appears twice in Parashat Miketz: “And they [the brothers] said to him [the overseer of … more

Our parasha, Ki Tavo, contains a statement that poses a distinct exegetical challenge: “This day (hayom hazeh), Hashem, your G-d, is commanding you to fulfill these statutes (chukim) and … more