The Torah employs the phrase, “Ki tetze l’milchamah al oivecha” (“When you go forth to war against your enemy”) two times in Devarim. The first instance appears in our …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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8/23/17
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In broad term terms, our parasha, Re’eh, divides meat for consumption into two distinct categories — b’sar korban (sacrificial meat) and b’sar ta’aveh (chulin, or …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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8/17/17
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Our parasha, Eikev, contains a phrase that is familiar to many, since it is found in the first blessing (Birkat Avot) of the Shmoneh Esreh: “G-d your L-rd is the ultimate Supreme Being and the …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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8/9/17
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The phrase, “And you shall love the L-rd, your G-d,” appears twice in the Torah — the first instance is in our parsha, Vaetchanan (6:5), and the second is found in Eikev (11:1). …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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8/2/17
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This week’s haftarah for parashat Devarim is taken from the first chapter of Sefer Yeshayahu. As befitting the Shabbat immediately before Tisha b’Av, much of its message is very dark and …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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7/26/17
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The phrase, “aleh hamitzvot” (“these are the commandments”), appears twice in the Torah — in the concluding pasukim of Sefer Vayikra, and in our parasha, Matot-Masei, in …
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Rabbi David Etengoff
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7/19/17
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A
great tragedy unfolded when Moses sinned at the Waters of Dispute (Mei Merivah). As the Torah states in our parasha, Pinchas: “You [Moses] disobeyed My command in the desert of Zin …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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7/12/17
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The mitzvah of the Parah Adumah (Red Heifer) is found at the beginning of this week’s parasha, Chukas. Its purpose is to purify an individual who has become tamei (ritually impure) due to …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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6/28/17
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Our parasha begins with the 16th chapter of Sefer Bamidbar. It tells the story of Korach and his followers, and their rebellion against G-d and His Torah, Moshe, and Aharon. There are countless …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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6/21/17
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T he beginning of our parasha , Shelach, offered the possibility of the immediate implementation of Judaism’s ultimate goals: Moshe would have been the Mashiach who led our people into Eretz …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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6/15/17
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