Search Results for: Parsha

Parsha Shelach 5767: Moshe’s Blessing to Yehoshua — Paradigm of a Real Jewish Leader

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By Moshe Burt

Prior to the Miraglim setting out on their mission to Eretz Yisrael, Moshe Rabbeinu prayed for Hoshea, that he should gain the strength, conviction and principle to stand against the false testimony of the other spies and to eventually lead B’nei Yisrael. Moshe blessed him before the mission and changed his name to Yehoshua which conveys the above attributes.

This prayer and blessing of Moshe Rabbeinu to Yehoshua begs the definition of the qualities which make a Real Jewish Leader. read more

Parsha Beha’aloscha 5767 — Hachnasat Sefer Torah in Yishuv Adura and HaKaras HaTov

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by, Moshe Burt

Our Parsha speaks about the reasons for the separate section delineated by the inverted “nuns” — “When the Aron (the Ark) would journey, Moshe said, ‘Arise Hashem, and let your foes be scattered, let those who hate you flee from before you.’ And when it rested, he would say, ‘Reside tranquilly, O, Hashem, among the myriad thousands of Israel.'” (Sefer Bamidbar, Perek 10, posukim 35-36)

Preceding these posukim are the posukim which speak about the journey of the Aron and of B’nai Yisrael from Har Sinai to their next resting place, “…a three day distance…” (Sefer Bamidbar, Perek 10, posukim 33 & 34). read more

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Shavu’ot/Parsha Naso – Loving and Caring for the Ger Tzeddik, Paradigm of Loving Our Fellow Jew

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By Moshe Burt

With Shavuot always being during the week of Shabbos Parsha Naso, there are various common threads between Shabbos Parsha Naso Chag HaShavuos. One such thread is the importance of caring for the Ger Tzeddik.

Near the beginning of Parsha Naso, Hashem speaks to Moshe telling him to speak to the B’nai Yisrael as follows; “… A man or woman who commits any of man’s sins, by committing treachery toward Hashem.” (Sefer Bamidbar, Perek 5, posuk 6) Rav Zelig Pliskin, in his sefer “Growth Through Torah,” attributes to Sforno comments to the effect that “… this refers to one who steals from a convert to Judaism.” read more

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Parsha Bamidbar 5767: Only in Unity is There Strength to Blunt Tyranny

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by, Moshe Burt

Call this a “Best of.” The points included in this Parsha HaShevua are timely and bare repeating.

Our Parsha Bamidbar, once getting past the numbers crunching of the census, speaks of Degalim: the flags of the Sh’vatim (Tribes), as a paradigm of Unity whch is inclusive of diversity within the various components, all of which play essential roles within a collective unity. Within a unity, there is room for integration and cooperation of diverse individual and group attributes, skills, strong points and actions when channeled toward the common goals of Unity, i.e. the common goals of B’nai Yisrael. read more

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Parsha Behar 5767; Shemittoh — Reinforcing the Bond Between Jew and HIS Land

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by Moshe Burt

Rashi asks a critical question on the very first posuk of our Parsha;
“Hashem spoke to Moshe on Har Sinai, saying.” (Parsha Behar, Vayikra Perek 25, posuk 1) He asks why the laws of Shemittoh are singled out as having been given at Sinai. Were not all of the Mitzvot said at Sinai?” He answers that just as all of the Mitzvot; their general rules and their specifics were taught at Sinai, so too were the general rules and specifics regarding Shemittoh taught at Sinai. Rashi then reasons that the posuk comes to teach us that every utterance said to Moshe, they were all from Sinai. read more

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Parsha Emor 5767: The Kohen; The Paradigm of The Divine Am Segula

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by Moshe Burt

The positioning in Torah of our Parsha Emor, following last week’s Parsha Kedoshim gives rise to thought and contemplation.

Kedoshim teaches “…You shall be holy, for holy am I, Hashem, your G’d.” (Sefer Vayikra, Perek 19, posuk 1) And we learn that the epitome of this holiness is the principle taught by Rabbi Hillel to the convert, on one foot, says “V’ohavtoh L’reiachoh Komochoh” — “… you shall love your fellow as yourself…” (Sefer Vayikra, Perek 19, posuk 18) The Halachot subsequently taught in Parsha Kedoshim are all built upon the emulation of Hashem. read more

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Parsha Achrai Mos/Kedoshim 5767: The Unity of the Kohen and the Jewish Nation

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by Moshe Burt

This Shabbos we leyn from the 2nd of 2 doubleheader Parshas Achrai Mos/Kedoshim (Last week’s Sedra was Taria/Metzora).

And in continuing to delve into personal aveirot projected onto the National level, Parsha Achrai Mos describes Aaron HaKohen’s special service in the Beit HaMikdash on Yom Kippur. The bulk of this Parsha HaShevua is derived from a vort from the sefer Shem Mishmuel, written by Shmuel Bornstein, the only son of Rabbi Avraham Bornstein, the Rebbe of Sochaczev, in Poland. read more

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Parsha Sh’mini 5767 — The Eternal Constant: The Jew’s Service

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by Moshe Burt

For seven days, Moshe taught Aaron HaKohen and his sons the laws of their Avodah in the Mishkan. (You might say that they were given OJT from Shemayim.)

Our Parsha Sh’mini begins by relating that on the eighth day, Aaron and his sons commenced their Avodah HaKodosh.

But our Parsha also relates the tragedy of the deaths of Aaron’s two oldest sons, Nadav and Avihu who died while performing an unauthorized Service, offering a “strange fire …, which he did not command them…” (Artscroll Chumash, Vayikra, Perek 10, posuk 1) And our Parsha relates that “Hashem spoke to Aaron saying: Do not drink intoxicating wine, you and your sons …, when you come to the Ohel Mo’ed (the Tent of Meeting), that you not die — this is an eternal decree for your generations. In order to distinguish between the sacred and the profane …” (Artscroll Chumash, Vayikra, Perek 10, p’sukim 8-10). read more

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Parsha Tzav 5767: The Constancy of the Jews

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by Moshe Burt

In our Parsha, Tzav is Moshe’s command from Hashem to Aaron HaKohen and his sons to take up and clothe themselves in their Vestments, their garments of service in the Mishkan, and to begin their daily Avodah (service and offerings in the Mishkan).

For seven days, Moshe taught Aaron HaKohen and his sons the laws of their Avodah in the Mishkan. (You might say that they were given, as they term it in the US, OJT from Shemayim.) On the eighth day, Aaron and his sons began their Avodah. read more

Parsha Vayikra: The True Motivations of Leaders Who Spin and Repeat the Same Mistakes?

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by Moshe Burt

The first word of our parsha; Vayikra begs discussion of why the small
“aleph” in Vayikra, and tells much about Moshe Rabbeinu’s level of principle, integrity and standard of leadership of B’nei Yisrael.

We are told how Hashem, Kav’yochal, would call gently, affectionately “Moshe, Moshe” in a voice for Moshe Rabbeinu’s ears only and Moshe would respond “Here I am.” (Rashi on Perek 1, posuk 1 Metsuda Linear Chumash & Rashi with footnotes) read more

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