Search Results for: Parsha

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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Parsha Ki Tisa 5767 — Level of Importance: Principle or How others Hold of You?

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By Moshe Burt

For many years, since 1991 when Parsha Ki Tisa marked my son Philip’s Bar Mitzvah, I have spoken or written about a posuk in our Parsha which alludes to an event which took place 40 year later, in a subsequent Parsha.

The posuk being referred to (Sh’mos, Perek 30, posuk 30)says that while Moshe Rabbeinu was on Har Sinai being given Torah, Hashem said, “You shall anoint Aaron and his sons and sanctify them to minister (to serve) me.”

This seemingly obscure posuk raises the challenging question which cuts to the chase of what we are facing today. The question is; what about that Pinchas Ben Elazar? Why was he not anointed as a Kohen with his brothers? read more

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Parsha Tetzaveh 5767 — Is Something Amiss? Where’s Moshe?

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by Moshe Burt

In our Parsha Tetzaveh, the laws regarding the annointment, the vestments and the Avodah (service) of the Kohanim are enunciated for the Jewish people. But wait! Stop the music. Something seems amiss.
Our Parsha, unlike any other place throughout Torah (including Sefer Devarim where Moshe himself speaks to the Jewish people in one continuous Mussar shmooze reviewing the laws and the events of the 40 years in BaMidbar and where each of the Parshiyot are distinguished only by the sections Halachas enunciated) from the time of his birth through Vezos HaBeracha, omits any mention of Moshe Rabbeinu. read more

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Parsha Terumah 5767: Ascertaining Man’s True Motivations

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by Moshe Burt

It seems to this author that each Parsha in Torah carries with it a major theme, attribute or mido.

The two previous Parshiyot; Yithro and Mishpatim speak about related attributes; intent and honesty and our Parsha, Terumah addresses motivation.

In previous years, the Parsha sheet for Parsha Teruma dealt with man’s motivations equating them with what drives the athlete in the beginning, or as we baseball fans say, in the “Big Inning”. And as has been done regarding other Parshiyot, this year another revisit of the motivation of men seems appropriate. read more

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Parsha Mishpatim 5767 — The Importance of Honesty, Principle and Unity Among Jewish Brethren

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by, Moshe Burt

Parsha Yithro concludes with the high moment to date in world history; The Asseret HaDibrot (The 10 Statements) on the 6th day of the month of Sivan.

In our parsha Mishpatim, many basic laws of civilized existence are enunciated for B’nai Yisrael. The purpose of the Mishpatim, the civil laws, are to protect the moral fiber of society by regulating relationships between men, ecouraging truthfulness, sincerity and kindness while condemning immorality and deceit.

I often think of discussions back in the “old country” with friends where the suggestion is made that the Arabs, the Islamics view the Jews as hypocrites who are totally lacking in principles. What is suggested is that the Arabs view and perceive an Israeli derech of total lack of modesty (tz’niyut), rampant promiscuity, the presence of irreverence as well as a lack of ethics and morality in dealings between Jews themselves. And before the world, we gain discredit by scandals such as those of Haim Ramon and Moshe Katzav as well as by Ehud Olmert’s alleged less than straight and above-board property deals. read more

Parsha Yitro 5767: The Bow, the Kiss and Drawing Another Up

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By Moshe Burt

Our parsha has taught over the years about the mutual admiration, love and respect which existed between Moshe Rabbeinu and his father-in-law Yitro, the former advisor to Pharoh.

Shem Mishmuel writes on our parsha about Yitro’s journey to the camp of the B’nai Yisrael, his heartfelt desire to join the B’nai Yisrael and the meeting between Moshe and Yitro.

When Yitro arrived;

Moshe went out to greet his father-in-law, and he bowed and kissed him, and each man asked after the welfare of his friend, and they came into the tent. (Shemos Perek 18, posuk 7) read more

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Motsei Shabbos Reflections on Parsha Beshalach: Easier to Remove the Jew from Bondage than to Remove the Bondage from the Jew

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In the Parsha HaSheva of parsha Beshalach, this author touched on an area which turns out to be a vort, a drasha unto itself.

Our Parsha opens by stating; “It happened when Pharoh sent out the people that Hashem did not lead them by the way of the Philistines, because it was near, for Hashem said, ‘Perhaps the people will reconsider when they see a war, and they will return to Mitzriyim.’” (Sefer Sh’mos, Perek 13, posuk 17)

R’ Baruch Abba Rakowsky, in a citing from Torah Gems asks why, after escaping from such a terrible enslavement, would the first problem they faced drive them to return to Mitzriyim? He reasons that all that the B’nai Yisrael had wanted was to be freed of their terrible physical work. They never dreamed of liberation from the enslavement. Because of the absence of such a dream, there was ample reason to fear that at the first sign of difficulty they would return to Mitzriyim. (Torah Gems, Aharon Yaakov Greenberg, Volume 2, page 100) read more

Parsha Beshalach 5767: Being As One With Our Brother’s Difficulties

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by, Moshe Burt

Our Parsha opens by stating; “It happened when Pharoh sent out the people that Hashem did not lead them by the way of the Philistines, because it was near, for Hashem said, ‘Perhaps the people will reconsider when they see a war, and they will return to Mitzriyim.'” (Sefer Sh’mos, Perek 13, posuk 17)

Torah Gems cites a vort from R’ Baruch Abba Rakowsky who says; “Perhaps the people will reconsider when they see a war, and they will return to Mitzriyim.” read more

Parsha Bo: Doing Mitzvot and Hashem’s Will; Breaking Out of Apathy and Fear’s Box

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By Moshe Burt

Parsha Bo is the one which, for me, annually relates to that crazy tune which played back “in the Old Country” a couple of decades ago, “Does Your Korbon Pesach Lose It’s Flavor Tied to the Bedpost Overnight?” (Actually, the real title to the song was “Does Your Chewing Gum Lose It’s Flavor on the Bedpost Overnight?”)

Over the years, I’ve come to associate this nutty parody of mine with the very heart of our Parsha. That is the Mitzvot of taking the Korbon Pesach, applying the da’am on Jewish doorposts, the going up from Mitzrayim (Egypt) to “…a land flowing with milk and honey …” and the first mitzvah commanded of the National entity (B’nai Yisrael), the Kiddush HaChodesh — the sanctification of the New Moon and the relevance today of these mitzvot which relate to emunah (belief in) and yirat (fear of)Hashem. And each year, just like countless other stories of our heritage and Halachot, the perspective each year is unique just as the events of each year are unique unto themselves, yet part of Hashem’s “vast eternal plan.” read more

Parsha Va’era 5767: The Disconnection of Israelis from the Truth

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By Moshe Burt

At the conclusion of Parsha Shemos, Moshe and Aaron are confronted, upon exiting Pharoh’s Palace, by the B’nai Yisrael who are in deeper despair than before because of the increased workload which resulted from Pharoh’s fury at Moshe’s first effort to secure their freedom and exit from Mitzrayim.

Our Parsha begins with the dialogue which Moshe Rebbeinu has with Hashem prior to again speaking to the B’nai Yisrael. And so, after
Hashem rebukes Moshe for his complaint and reassures him that redemption is at hand, Moshe again addresses the B’nai Yisrael as to his meeting with Pharoh. read more