Vidui ma’aser (the Declaration Concerning Tithes) is a mitzvah that appears in this week’s parasha, Ki Tavo:
“When you have finished tithing all the tithes of your produce in the …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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9/22/16
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Our parasha, Ki Tetze, contains two instances in which the term “zachor” (“remember”) is used — namely, Amalek’s attack and Miriam’s punishment. In …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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9/14/16
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Our parasha, Shoftim, contains the pasuk: “Be wholehearted (tamim) with the L-rd, your G-d.” (18:13) This English version reflects Rashi’s midrashically-based comment on our verse: …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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9/11/16
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The theme of the Chosen People (am hanivchar) is repeated in a number of places in the Siddur, becoming a universally accepted principle of Jewish thought:
•From the blessing before …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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8/19/16
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The expression, “And you shall love the L-rd, your G-d” appears twice in the Torah, the first instance in Parashat Vaetchanan (Devarim 6:5), and the second in this week Parashat Eikev …
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Ny Rabbi David Etengoff
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8/23/16
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Our parasha this week, Re’eh, contains two seemingly contradictory pasukim. Initially we are taught, “However, there will be no needy (evyon) among you, for the L-rd will surely bless you …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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8/31/16
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T
his Shabbat is known as “Shabbat Chazon,” based upon the opening words of our haftarah: “The vision (chazon) of Yeshayahu (Isaiah) the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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8/10/16
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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) …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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7/28/16
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The first of our two parshiot (Matot and Masei) contains a rather quizzical pasuk: “Eleazar the kohen said to the soldiers returning from battle, ‘This is the statute that the L-rd …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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8/4/16
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According to the first passage on our parasha, Hashem gave all the nations of the world the same opportunities and potential for leadership. This is based upon the notion that G-d’s actions …
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By Rabbi David Etengoff
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7/20/16
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