Search Results for: Parsha

Parsha Beshalach: Experiencing Our Brother’s Difficulties
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 on words of the posuk; “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, Even When Under Duress.
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 5766: Relating to the “Center” in Israel
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

From Tapuach West, to Gush Katif, to Chevron and Elsewhere; “Surely this thing is known.”

By Moshe Burt

Two years ago, as we leyned Parsha Shemos, we witnessed the run-up to the cruel and brutal destruction of the Shul in Tapuach West by the Sharon government.

And because we didn’t then heed the lessons of Parsha Shemos and continued in our collective divisive ways rather than uniting, the Sharon government announced, on the heels of Tapuach West, its intent to expell Jews from parts of Eretz Yisrael; from Gaza and parts of the Shomron. read more

Parsha Vayechi 5766: Eretz Yisrael and the Fast of 10 Tevet Revisited
By, Moshe Burt

Last year, this author related how Parsha Vayechi recounts two experiences which carry a common thread relating to Eretz Yisrael. And this week, we’ve just completed our Fast of 10 Tevet. And one year later, it’s deemed important that this thread be recalled.

Our parsha tells how, when Yaakov saw that the time of his death was near, he called for Yosef and made him (Yosef) promise not to bury him (Yaakov) in Mitzriyim, but rather in Ma’Orat HaMachpela in Chevron. (Perek 47, posuk 29) read more

Parsha Vayigash 5766: Why is Yehuda Yaakov’s Advance Man?
By Moshe Burt

There has been much talk across the internet and in some religious circles about Rav Kaduri’s recent predictions that the current government will be the last of the “old era” and that Sharon will be the last prime minister in Israel as reported by Arutz-7 back in September, 2005. And a google search on “Rabbi Kaduri, Moshiach and Israeli Government” netted some interesting finds including this one. read more

Parsha Mikeitz/Shabbos Chanukah 5766:
The Message of Yosef for the Observant — A Time for Indignation.

By Moshe Burt

Two years ago, this author made a big splash at the Shul’s Shabbos Chanukah Oneg.

Shortly before the Oneg, this author read Jay Shapiro’s book “Almost Midrash” and gave over a vort on Yosef encorporating a story entitled “Duaf of Memphis” from Shapiro’s book (about Duaf, the former Barber whose meteoric rise through the ranks of Pharoh’s army and monarch culminated in his being appointed as the Viceroy’s right-hand man) and the dialogue of Page 13 A & B of Gemora Megillah Esther (the dialogue between Achashveirosh and Haman resulting in the evil decree against the Jews). The point of the Torah Vort of course was that with longevity in Shushan and throughout Achashveirosh’s Empire, as with Mitzrayim, the Jews were disparaged as either useless or too powerful, and in both cases, antagonists conveniently forgot about Yosef. The point was made as a lesson to the secular which sadly has repeated itself again and again throughout history in different ways whenever Jews got comfortable, complacent in where they were at the time and forgot who and what they are. In forgetting, they assimilate and, in our time, Chanukah evolves into “spin the dreidel”, cutsie, yet shallow assemblies in Conservative Synagogues to make it seem like they are doing something for Jewish youth, yet totally miss the meaning and message of what Chanukah is really all about. That was the focus of the Rav Kahane article recently received which was put out as an email and on the Sin of Expulsion blog. read more

Parsha Vayishlach 5766; Maintaining and Restoring Righteousness
By, Moshe Burt

As our Parsha begins, Yaakov sent melachim (angels), some render a translation of messengers, “… ahead of him to Eisev to the land of Seir, to the field of Edom… Thus shall you say … to Eisev, so said your servant Yaakov: ‘Im-Lavan garti’ (I have sojourned with Lavan) …” (Sefer Breish’t, Perek 32, posukim 4 & 5).

We learn that the Gematria (numerical value) of the word ‘garti’ is 613; that Yaakov “… sojourned with Lavan, but yet … kept all of the 613 commandments and … did not learn from his [Lavan’s] wicked deeds.” (Torah Gems, Aharon Greenberg, Parsha Vayishlach page 251) read more

Parsha Toldos 5766 — To Rise Above the Norm
By, Moshe Burt

The Israeli political scene at present resembles a Free Agency Market. It’s talents or shall we say, bounty-hunters are for hire to the highest bidder, and represent the likes of which would make America’s sports Free Agency look lame by comparison.

Forget Major League Baseball’s rush for “Closers”(the guy to pitch the 8th and or 9th innings and hold a lead) — Wagner $43 Million for 4 years, B.J. Ryan $47 Million 5 years, etc. read more

Parsha Chayei Sarah 5766: Two Shidduchim and a Legacy
by, Moshe Burt

Toward the end of our parsha, after Avraham Aveinu’s acquistion of the Ma’arat HaMachpela for 400 shekels of silver from Efron the Hittite, after his burial and mourning period for Sarah Emeinu, Avraham sends Eliezer back to his (Avraham’s) family on a mission to find a wife for Yitzchak.

As Eliezer approaches Aram Naharayim, the city of Nahor, the home of Avrham’s family, he prays to Hashem; “Oh Lord, G’d of my master Avraham, I pray you … show kindness to my master Avraham.” read more