When Moshe Rabbenu requested donations towards the Mishkan, the Passuk says “Vehamelacha Hayta Dayam… Vehoter.” (Shemot 36:7) The contributions brought by Bnei Yisrael were more than sufficient for what was needed for the construction of the Mishkan. The Ohr Hachaim…
What does the month of Nissan and women have in common? No it’s not the extensive cleaning or the cooking. Although that might have something to do with it, there is much more than meets the eye. As we arrive closer to the…
The Jews had waited for what they thought was 40 days. Where was Moshe? So they panicked and made the famous Eigel Hazahav – Golden Calf. This week we take out two Sifrei Torah. The first is for the regular weekly portion,…
Parashat Ki Tissa, begins cheerily enough with descriptions of the Mahatsit HaShekel (the silver half-coin for taking a census) and the command to construct a washing laver placed between the outside of the Ohel Moed (Tent of Meeting) and the Sacrificial Altar. It includes…
One of the central themes on this strange yet powerful day of Purim is the seeming strange mitzvah Derabanan of becoming intoxicated. To explain-away the mitzvah as an opportunity to ‘let loose’ for one day a year, seems to rob…
In this week’s parashah, Hashem commands Moshe to gather “all the wise-hearted people whom I have invested with a spirit of wisdom” to make the priestly garments (Exodus 28:1). But the Torah is unclear. Were these select people Divinely ordained…
It’s the middle of the coldest January in 50 years. Two friends are sitting in a bar in Saskatchewan – Canada, arguing over their vacation plans. Today is the beginning of their holidays, and they still haven’t decided where they’re…
