Rabbis' Drashot

Avoiding the “If Only” Syndrome

In Parshat Nitzavim Moshe transmits to Bnei Yisrael the accessibility of Jewish life and meaning:
“It is not in the heavens, that you should say, 'Who among us can go up to the heavens and get it for us and impart it to us, that we may observe it?' Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, 'Who among us can cross to the other side of the sea and get it for us and impart it to us,...Read more...

Strength in Vulnerability

At the end of this morning’s Parsha, Ki Teitzei, the Torah encourages us to remember a time in our national history during which we were vulnerable, and directs us in how to channel those feelings. 

In the seventh aliyah, The Torah states:
Vezacharta Ki Eved Hayita B’Mitzrayim:

Remember the suffering and vulnerability that you felt, and that you may continue to feel due to your...Read more...

As a summation to various rules that were just mentioned, Moshe says: 12:28:
“ Ki Taaseh Hatov V’hayashar b’eynei Hashem.”
“When you do what is good and right in the eyes of Hashem your G-d.”
    
Noting the dual terminology of Tov and Yashar, Rashi quotes the opinion of Rabbi Akiva in the Midrash:
“Hatov- beinay Shamayim. V’hayashar- Beinay Adam.”

In our lives we must be cognizant...Read more...

Few Yet Influential: Be Proud of Your Me’at Status

The seventh aliya of Parshat Vaetchanan, the beginning of Chapter 7 in Devarim, is a reminder by Moshe of Hashem’s promise to Bnai Yisrael to dwell in Eretz Yisrael, and the responsibilities and obligations that they will have upon entry and possession of the Land. In this context Moshe reminds Bnai Yisrael of their special relationship with Hashem...Read more...

“Life is a journey, not a destination.” I heard this expression, liked it and searched to find its author. Online I saw it attributed to people as diverse as writer Ralph Waldo Emerson and Steven Tyler, lead singer for the rock band Aerosmith. So I guess no one really knows who said it. But after learning this week’s Parsha I think I know who inspired this idea. It is the lesson that Rabbi Tanchuma learns from the beginning of...Read more...

The Talmud in Sanhedrin teaches that before Balak took Bilam each time to curse the Jewish people, Balak would offer sacrifices to Hashem (perhaps in the hopes that it would help his cause with Hashem). The Gemara says that Balak was rewarded for offering these sacrifices: in that his descendant was Ruth, the ancestor of King David/ Solomon. The obvious question is: why should Balak be rewarded for doing something that although may...Read more...

As the spies embark upon their mission Moshe gives them some advice about what to look for. He says to check and see if the inhabitants are strong or weak. Rashi quotes the Midrash that Moshe gave them a trick: if the people lived in open cities this means that they are strong and can rely on their strength alone to protect themselves. If the city is heavily fortified, then you can be sure that the inhabitants are weak and they need outside...Read more...