Moshe Kempinski Life Lessons from the Parsha The wonders of a garden are immeasurable. Every flower a glimpse of creation, every blossoming tree a whiff of immortality. To quote Victor Hugo in Les Miserables “A garden to walk in and immensity to dream in–what more could he ask? A few flowers at his feet and … Read more
By Moshe Kempinski Drive through many streets in any city in Israel and you will find colorful stands selling the spiritual tools of Sukkoth, lulavim etrogim and assorted decorations for the sukkah dispersed throughout . Our Torah tells us; “And ye shall keep it a feast unto HaShem seven days in the year; it is … Read more
Moshe Kempinski In the Torah portion of “Acharei Mot” (Leviticus 16:1-18-30) we read the following regarding Yom Kippur: For on this day it shall atone (Yechaper) for you to cleanse (LeTaher) you. Before HaShem, you shall be cleansed from all your sins. It is a shabbat of solemn rest unto you, and you shall afflict … Read more
by Moshe Kempinski We are entering into the “Days of Awe”, the time of judgment and repentance. We approach these days with anticipation mixed with fear and trembling. The Torah calls the first days of the new year, Yom Teruah, the day of the call of the shofar; “The first day of the seventh month … Read more
Moshe Kempinski We read in the beginning of the Torah Portion of Ki Tavo the following; “And it will be, when you come into the land which Hashem, your G-d, gives you for an inheritance, and you possess it and settle in it, that you shall take of the first of all the fruit of … Read more
Moshe Kempinski To understand the subtext of the upheaval that has gripped the world ,one needs to comprehend that we are not witnessing geopolitical unrest .we are in fact experiencing a collision of ideas, passions and theologies. At the end of the Torah portion of Ki Teitzeh we read the following; Remember what the Amalekites … Read more
Moshe Kempinski In the world’s understanding the following declaration in the Torah portion of Shoftim is translated in a traditionally incorrect and damaging translation; The classic western translation readsthe verse in the following manner.”Thou shalt be perfect( TAMIM) with Hashem thy G-d.( Deuteronomy 18:13) This is in keeping with another imperfect translation; These are the … Read more
Re’eh: Sight as a Blessing Moshe Kempinski Open your eyes and look around you and hear the song of creation. The portion of Re’eh begins with the words “Re’eh – See, I give you today a blessing and a curse (Deuteronomy 11:26). Of the five senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch, one would think … Read more
