Miketz: Wicks and Oil for Chanuka
There is no tractate, or even chapter, in the Mishna devoted to Chanuka. The mitzva of the Chanuka lights is mentioned principally in the second chapter of tractate Shabbat, which discusses...
Vayishlach: Wisdom of Secrets III
The last two weeks we have been studying the blessing “the wise One of secrets”, CHACHAM HARAZIM, blessing God Who knows the secret thoughts and views of each individual. We make...
Vayeitzei: The Bracha of “Wise One of Secrets” on...
Last week we discussed the blessing “The wise one of secrets” (CHACHAM HARAZIM), recited on seeing a multitude of Jews. The simple understanding of the wording is that God alone possesses...
Toldot: Wise in the Hidden
Praising God’s wisdom specifically when we see a multitude emphasizes the wonder and importance of the astonishing variety of people. In many places the Sages teach us that we perceive Godliness...
Vayeira – Carrying between Two Private Domains
Last week (read that as “Two weeks ago”) we gave Rav Natan of Breslav’s explanation of the Torah prohibition to move objects from public to private domain or the opposite. The...
Lech Lecha: Local Custom
LOCAL CUSTOM A primary principle of Torah jurisprudence is that agreements are presumed to be according to local custom. This is learned from the mishna in Bava Metzia which states that...
Noach: Carrying between Private and Public Domains
The Torah forbids carrying between a public domain and a private domain. On the one hand, this seems like the most insignificant of all the thirty-nine forbidden labors; it is hard...
Shemot: Removing Shoes
Our parsha contains the very first revelation experienced by Moshe Rabbeinu, the greatest of all prophets: “Don’t approach here; remove your shoes from your feet, for the place where you are...
Vayechi: Burial
BURIAL In the final chapters of Bereshit we learn of the deaths of Yaakov and of Yosef, and of their insistence on being buried in Eretz Yisrael. (Bereshit 49:29 – 50:26.)...
Vayeishev: Placement of the Chanukah Menorah
The Talmud rules that the ideal way of fulfilling the mitzva of Chanukah lights is by lighting them at the entrance to the house, so that they are clearly visible to...
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