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Parsha Nitzavim 5766: Unity — Hashem’s Covenant with Klal Yisrael …

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Parsha Nitzavim 5766: Unity — Hashem’s Covenant with Klal Yisrael …

By Moshe Burt

Parsha Nitzavim begins; “Atem Nitzavim HaYom…Today you are standing before Hashem, your Lord… You are thus being brought into the covenant of Hashem, your Lord, and [accepting] the dread oath that He is making with you today. He has established you as his nation, so that He will be a G’d to you…” (Devarim, Perek 29, posukim 9-12)

L’l Mode U’Lamed comments on these first few p’sukim of Nitzavim noting; “that all members of Klal Yisrael, from the greatest of leaders to the simplest woodcutter, stood together as equals before Hashem…. Thus the poor woodcutter who is devout in his ways and who raises his children as true Jews is elevated to the same level as the wealthy supporter of Jewish causes. No man should consider himself too insignificant to be a partner in the covenant between the Jews and Hashem (L’l Mode U’Lamed on the Weekly Parsha, Parsha Nitzavim, page 183) read more

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Parsha Ki Tavo –The Scales of a Mitzvah – Revisited…

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Parsha Ki Tavo — The Scales of a Mitzvah – Revisited

By Moshe Burt

Parsha Ki Tavo continues in the same theme track with last week’s Parsha Ki Teitzei, as well as the string of previous Parshiyot in discussing Mitzvot which teach kindness, compassion and attentiveness to others.

Ki Tavo begins with the Halachot of Bikkurim — the first fruits which were brought to the Kohen as both thanksgiving and rememberance of Pharaoh’s cruelty and Hashem’s deliverance of B’nai Yisrael from Mitzrayim to a land flowing with milk and honey. Our Parsha then enunciates the laws concerning Ma’aser and it’s declaration regarding the required tithes. read more

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Restoration of Care, Kindness and Responsibility for/of Am Yehudi

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Parsha Ki Teitsei 5766: Restoration of Care, Kindness and Responsibility for/of Am Yehudi

By, Moshe Burt

Parsha Ki Teitsei discusses Marriage and choosing the correct Marriage Partner as well as marital chemistry issues, Chalitza (ceremony regarding a childless widow whose deceased husband has a surviving brother) and Halachot concerning dissolution of a marraige and the “Get” (Jewish Halachic divorce). It also covers the double-portion to be inherited by the Bechor (the first-born son), the rebellious son, as well as numerous Mitzvot such as; returning lost items to their rightful owners, loaning money to one’s fellow Jew free from interest, what one is permitted to or prohibited from taking from another Jew as loan security, Shatnes (wool and linen together), Tzitzit, dealing fairly and truthfully with one’s fellow Jews in business and to remember, for all time, the actions of Amalek who attacked B’nai Yisrael when they were weak while blotting the rememberance of Amalek from the earth. read more

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Parsha Shoftim 5766: Where There’s No Just Judgement, There’s No Law! — Revisited

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Parsha Shoftim 5766: Where There’s No Just Judgement, There’s No Law! — Revisited

By Moshe Burt

The third posuk of our Parsha reads; “Tzedek, Tzedek tierdof…” Righteousness, righteousness (also rendered Justice, Justice) you shall pursue that you may live and inherit the land which the Lord, your G’d gives you.” (Sefer Devarim, Perek 16, posuk 20)

This posuk follows immediately after the opening of our Parsha; “Judges and officers shall you appoint in all of your cities — which Hashem …gives you — for your tribes; and they shall judge the people with righteous judgement. You shall not pervert judgement, you shall not respect persons, neither take a bribe, for a bribe binds the eyes of the wise, and perverts the words of the righteous.” (Sefer Devarim, Perek 16, p’sukim 18-19) read more

Parsha Re’eh 5766 — Collective Responsibility for Our Brethren and for Eretz Yisrael — Revisited.

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Parsha Re’eh 5766 — Collective Responsibility for Our Brethren & for Eretz Yisrael — Revisited.

By, Moshe Burt

Parsha Re’eh begins with the B’nai Yisrael assembled on Mount Gerizim and Mount Eval. Moshe Rabbeinu continues his mussar saying, “Behold, I set before you … a blessing and a curse; the blessing if you heed the commandments of Hashem, and the curse, if you will not observe his commandments.(Sefer Devarim, Perek 11, posukim 26-27) read more

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Parsha Eikev 5766: Acting to Merit Eretz Yisrael — Revisited

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Parsha Eikev 5766: Acting to Merit Eretz Yisrael — Revisited

By Moshe Burt

In the past, Parsha Eikev has been equated in terms of one’s being attentive to the little Mitzvot; the details, the Mitzvot that one tends to overlook, to ignore, to tread one’s heels on in the mad dash, but without which the Jewish people would lack the merit which sets us apart from common man.

We learn “For the land to which you come, to possess — is not like the land of Egypt from where you came…” (Sefer Devarim, Perek 11, posuk 10.) read more

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Parsha Va’etchanan — Consolation After Expulsion, During War??

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Parsha Va’etchanan — Consolation After Expulsion, During War??

By Moshe Burt

The Haftorah for our Parsha begins, “Nachamu, Nachamu Ami yomar Elokeichem” — “Comfort, comfort my people — says your G’d.” (Yishaiya, 40:1) This sentiment seems to be silent, but yet a theme of Parsha Va’etchanan.

In the beginning of Parsha, Moshe Rabbeinu recalls for the B’nai Yisrael how he entreated Hashem for permission to cross the Jordan River but that his request was denied. Instead, he was consoled by viewing the Land from Mount Pisgah. (L’lmod Ul’Lamed – Parsha Va’etchanan, page 161) read more

Devarim — Everyman His Own Leader in Bringing Learning, Kiddush Hashem to Reality…

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Devarim — Everyman His Own Leader in Bringing Learning, Kiddush Hashem to Reality

By Moshe Burt

A few years ago, Rav Aba Wagensberg spoke out in a shiur that Sefer Devarim represents Moshe Rabbeinu’s Mussar to B’nai Yisrael as the time of his death drew near.

He explained that near the end of Sefer BaMidbar, we began to see indications, via the story of Zelafchad’s daughters, Reuven and Gad’s desire to settle east of the Jordan, etc., that the B’nai Yisrael finally desired to accept Moshe Rabbeinu’s teachings and his Mussar which was meant to bring about the perfection of the Jewish people in emulation of the ways of Hashem as they were about to enter Eretz Yisrael. read more

Parsha Matos 5766: Remaining “in peace” During a War of Survival — Revisited …

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Parsha Matos/Masei 5766: Remaining “in peace” During a War of Survival — Revisited

By, Moshe Burt

In Parsha Matos, Sh’vatim Gad and Reuven approached Moshe Rabbeinu regarding their desire to graze their flocks and settle their families on the East side of the Yarden. To this, Moshe Rabbeinu replied, “Shall your brothers go off to war, and shall you sit here?” (Sefer Bamidbar, Perek 32, posuk 6)

Moshe was quite angry at the two Sh’vatim. He was concerned lest Gad and Reuven would avoid taking part in the wars for Eretz Yisrael, that the Sh’vatim might follow suit and B’nai Yisrael might be condemned to wandering in the desert another 40 years. read more

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Parsha Pinchas 5766: On Zealousness, On Courage: What is and What’s Not…

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Parsha Pinchas 5766: On Zealousness, On Courage: What is and What’s Not…

By Moshe Burt

We learn about the root for the momentus event of Pinchas’ zealous act against Zimri and Kosbi from an obscure posuk in Parsha Ki Tisa. “Vet Aaron v’et banav timshach v’kiddashtah otam l’Cohen Li” — Hashem tells Moshe Rabbeinu; “You shall annoint Aaron and his sons and sanctify them as priests unto me.” And we ask, What happened to that Pinchas ben Elazar ben Aaron Ha Kohen. read more