Search Results for: Parsha

Parsha Noach 5767: Contrasting Noach and Avraham Avinu…

moshe

Parsha Noach 5767: Contrasting Noach and Avraham Avinu

By Moshe Burt

We read in our parsha that “These are the generations of No’ach: No’ach was a righteous man and perfect in his generations, and No’ach walked with G’d.” (Sefer Breish’t, Perek 6, posuk 9.) The Imrei Shefer comments on the Midrash regarding the words; “These are the generations of No’ach …” that the flood was directly attributable to No’ach’s behavior. According to the Midrash, “he [No’ach]… caused the flood by not protesting against the corrupt actions of the members of his generation.” (Torah Gems, Aharon Yaakov Greenberg, Sefer Breish’t, page 56) read more

Uncategorized

Parsha Breish’t 5767: Post-Simchat Torah Rain; Lessons for the Jews…

moshe

Parsha Breish’t 5767: Post-Simchat Torah Rain; Lessons for the Jews…

By Moshe Burt

This author has, in years past, taken a vacation from compiling a vort, a Parsha HaShevua for Parsha Breish’t. Somehow, not being rabbinic or a Talmud Chacham, it has always seemed difficult to put true and deep meaning of Hashem’s creation to words.

This year however, it rained in Eretz Yisrael on Isru Chag, the Simchat Torah of Chutz L’Aretz. And it didn’t just rain a few sprinkles, it poured on Yom Rishon. The weather reports promise more on Yom Sheini. And the Israeli weatherman is rarely, if ever wrong. read more

Uncategorized

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

moshe

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

Uncategorized

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

moshe

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

Uncategorized

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

moshe

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

Shabbat Shalom – Parshat Re-eh, Shabbat Mevarchim …

moshe

Shabbat Shalom – Parshat Re-eh, Shabbat Mevarchim (From Israel National News)

Full Text;

This Sabbath, the Torah portion of Re’eh will be read by Jews across the world. The portion deals with the blessings that the Jews will receive if they follow G-d’s word in the Land of Israel and the curses that will befall them if they do not.

It also deals with the obligation to uproot idolatry from the land and build the Holy Temple on Mt. Moriah in Jerusalem.

This Sabbath is also Shabbat mevarchim – the Sabbath in which the new month is announced. It will be announced in synagogues that the new month of Elul will be observed next Thursday and Friday. read more

Uncategorized

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

moshe

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

Uncategorized

Parsha Eikev 5766: Acting to Merit Eretz Yisrael — Revisited

moshe

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

Uncategorized

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

moshe

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

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

moshe

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

Uncategorized