Vayeishev: Ner Chanuka & Ner Havdalah
On motzei Shabbat during Chanuka we must make havdala to mark the departing Shabbat and also light the Chanuka lights corresponding to the coming day. Which has precedence? Shulchan Arukh (OC...
Vayishlach: Universal Principles of Justice
Our parsha is filled with incidents which help instruct us how to relate to our non-Jewish neighbors. One particularly interesting question the Rishonim discussed is the status of non-Jewish courts, which...
Vayeitzei: Bathing on Shabbat
Bathing on Shabbat Going to the Mikveh Bathing in hot water on Shabbat is forbidden, lest people come to heat the bathwater. However, bathing in cold water is permissible (though it...
Toldot: Disinheriting
Special Divine guidance oversaw the transference of Yitzchak’s blessing from Esav, Yitzchak’s intended recipient, to Yaakov. But in general our tradition warns against disinheriting children. (According to Torah law such disinheritance...
Chayei Sarah: Marriage
MEANING IN MITZVOT As Rivka departs to join her betrothed, Yitzchak, her family sends her off with the blessing, “Our sister, may you be mother to thousands of myriads”. (Bereshit 24:60.)...
Parshat Vayeira: Visiting the Sick
At the beginning of our parsha we learn that Hashem appeared to Avraham (Bereshit 18:1). Rashi explains that He came to visit the sick. Visiting the sick is considered one of...
Parshat Lech Lecha: Honoring Parents
The command to Avram to journey to the land of Israel (Bereshit 12:1) immediately follows the news of Terach’s death at the age of 205. Although Avram’s sojourn actually took place...
Parshat Noach: Drinking Wine
Our parsha relates that Noach began to work the land and planted a vineyard, and made wine. His subsequent drunkenness had tragic consequences (Bereshit 9:20-21, see Rashi). Drunkenness also led people...
Nitzavim: Blessing the New Month
Customarily, the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh is called “Shabbat Mevarchim” because after the Torah reading the coming of the new month is announced and then a special prayer is said (Rema...
Ki Tavo: Avoiding Celebration for a Mourner
Our parsha opens with the declaration of thanks made by the farmer who brings his first fruits. He affirms that he separated out tithes including maaser sheni, and adds, “I did...
Discover More
- Anti-Semitism
- Around the OU
- Arts & Media
- Aseret Yemei Teshuvah
- Chanukah
- Community
- Convention
- Cooking
- Dating
- Divorce
- Education
- Fast of Asarah B'Tevet
- Fast of Esther
- Fast of Gedaliah
- Fast of Shiva Assar B'Taamuz
- Fast of Tisha B'Av
- Food
- Giveaways
- Growth
- Health
- History
- Holidays
- Holocaust
- Inspiration
- Israel
- Kosher
- Lag BaOmer
- Marriage
- Meet the OU
- Mental Health
- Money
- News
- News & Op-Ed
- Obituary
- Other
- Parenting
- Pesach
- Physical Health
- Pregnancy
- Purim & 4 Parshiyot
- Recipes
- Relationships
- Rosh Chodesh
- Rosh Hashanah
- Sefirat HaOmer
- Shavuot
- Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah
- Sukkot
- Technology
- thank you pages
- The 3 Weeks
- Torah
- Travel
- Tribute
- Tu B'Av
- Tu B'Shevat
- Yamim Noraim
- Yom Ha'atzmaut
- Yom HaShoah
- Yom HaZikaron
- Yom Kippur
- Yom Yerushalayim
Subscribe To The OU’s Shabbat Shalom Weekly Newsletter
Weekly email newsletter filled with articles, Divrei Torah, upcoming events and more! Sign up today.