Like many other meforshim (Torah commentators), the second Bobover Rebbe, HaRav Ben-Zion Halberstam zatzal, analyzed the term Shabbat Hagadol. He began his quest for understanding with … more

Rosh Chodesh is the topic of this week’s additional Torah reading: “The L-rd spoke to Moses and to Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying: ‘This month shall be to you the head of the … 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 final verse in parasha Tzav, “And Aaron and his sons did all the things that the L-rd commanded through Moses,” contains the unusual phrase, “that the L-rd commanded through … more

Sefer Vayikra begins with a call from G-d to Moshe: “G-d called to Moses, speaking to him from the Communion Tent.” In a celebrated gloss, Rashi, basing himself upon Midrash Rabbah, … more

Our parasha contains the sole instance in the Tanach of the expression, “He took and placed (va’yikach va’yitan) the testimony into the ark” (Shemot 40:20). Rashi explained … more

Parasha Vayakel begins with the construction of the mishkan (the portable desert sanctuary): “Moses called the whole community of the children of Israel to assemble, and he said to them: … more

There is a famous machloket between Rashi and the Ramban as to whether the Mishkan (tabernacle) was created before or after the horrific incident found in our parasha of the Chet Haegel Hazahav (the … more

The second Beit Hamikdash was destroyed over 1,900 years ago. Thereafter, with prophetic insight, Chazal established the blessing of Boneh Yerushalayim  (Rebuild Jerusalem) in the Shemoneh … more

Our parasha contains the mitzvah to build the Aron Kodesh: They [the Jewish people] shall make an ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a … more