blessings
Nasso – Protecting the Blessings
What is the concept of Blessings? Why do they need protection? What does it mean that the ‘vessel that holds blessings is peace?’ Why did the priestly blessings take a different form in Temple? Why does the form of the blessings increase at it goes along? Why did Isaac want to give the blessings to…
Read MoreRe'eh – Climbing God's Mountain
Why does the Torah command the people of Israel to place the blessings and curses on mountains? What is the concept of a mountain? What is the connection between ratzon-will and shemo-God’s name? How does a false prophet have the ability to perform a true miracle? How does one use that power in its proper…
Read MoreVayishlach – Yakov, Yosef and the Sod Ha'ibbur
What is the concept of the ‘additional’ revelation of Hashem to Yakov in this week’s parsha? What is the blessing he receives? How does this relate to the land of Israel? What is the concept of the secret of the Ibbur? How does it relate to this blessing? What is the aspect of the addition…
Read MoreSimchas Torah & Breishis – Full Circle
Why do we immediately return to the beginning of the Torah as we complete it? Why is the ‘party’ on the eighth day of Succos – the one that is just for the Jewish people – so small? Why does the Torah spend only a few verses on the blessings, while it spends many verses…
Read MoreVayechi – Blessings and Prayers
What is the general concept of a blessing? Why do I need to go to a tzaddik to get a bracha? What does a bracha do for me more than I already have, and why can’t I access it myself? When Yaakov gives the brachos, is he just stating a fact as to the nature…
Read MoreKi Savo – Rejoicing in darkness
Why does the Torah speak at length about the curses, and only cursively about the blessings? Why does this parsha start off with the obligation of bringing the first fruits, which is only an obligation in Israel, only for the seven special species, and only to be brought to the Temple to a Kohen? Why…
Read MoreKi Savo – Blessings from Alef to Tav
Why are blessings only found when the item to be blessed is hidden from the eye? Why are the ways we are to emulate Hashem all involving patience with the wicked? What is it that the nations truly fear about the Jewish people? Why are there seemingly more curses than blessings? Find out in this…
Read MoreVayechi – Modesty and blessings
What is the significance of the fact that Menashe and Efraim are the paradigm which is used to bless all the children of the Jewish people? Why are they blessed to multiply like fish? What is the deeper significance of fish? How do we understand the fact that Yosef is split into two tribes? Why…
Read MoreNasso – Responsibly Leading
What was the mistake of the Nesi’im (princes)? How did they rectify this mistake with the wagons and offerings they brought? Why does the Torah start and end the parsha talking about the mishkan but interrupt with the concept of the Sotah, Nazir and blessings of the Kohanim? Find out in this week’s Parsha Podcast.
Read MoreLet it rain, let it rain, let it rain!
This winter has been terribly dry for us in Israel, as many of you may know. The water levels here are dangerously low, and the drought is having a devastating effect on this year’s crops. We have been saying special tefilos for rain every day, and there was even a special fast not too long…
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