Studies in the Torah Portion> BeHaalotcha (Numbers 8:1–12:16) Moshe Kempinski, In every soul there is a spark. In every created being there is a whisper of the breath Hashem breathed into His creation. It is that spark that moves us forward and upward. We first must ask the question as to why Hashem asked that … Read more
Moshe Kempinski Avraham was told that Lot his nephew had been taken away as a prisoner of war. According to the text, “a fugitive brought the news to Abram the Hebrew (Avram ha’ivri)” (Gen. 14:13). The Hebrew One / Ha’ivri. We see similarly with Yoseph the same term IVRI is used to describe this descendant … Read more
TORAH PORTION OF NASO Numbers 4:21–7:89 Moshe Kempinski , There are times when things seem so perfectly clear. There are other times when nothing makes sense anymore. The tragedies in Miron and in Givat Zeev in the midst of rejoicing and dancing gives us pause. The senseless murder of children and other innocents at the … Read more
celebrating YOM YERUSHALAYIM Moshe Kempinskiwww.shorashimshop.com Miracles and faith have an uneasy ongoing relationship. Faith must be engaged and be continued even in the absence of miracles. Yet our relationship with our Creator yearns for the occurrence of Divine intervention in our private and national lives. We must learn to walk a walk of faith that … Read more
Parshat Shemini (Leviticus 9:1-11:47) Moshe Kempinski, Can there be anything more fulfilling than succeeding in becoming a vessel of G-d’s presence in this world? Yet how does an individual or a collective ever achieve such a state of being? How does one develop a sense of holiness? That desired state is not only an option … Read more
PESACH STUDY SERIES, ShorashimMoshe Kempinskiwww.shorashimshop.com To commemorate and spiritually relive the Exodus from Egypt, the Jewish people are commanded by the Torah to celebrate the holiday of Pesach and are prohibited to eat or even to possess any Chametz (leaven) in their home: “During these seven days no leaven may be found in your homes. … Read more
Torah Portion VaYikra Leviticus 1:1–5:26Moshe Kempinskiwww.shorashimshop.comThe book of VaYikra ( Leviticus) begins with a mystery. The verse reads “And He called( VaYikra) to Moses, and HaShem spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, saying, (Leviticus 1:1). The word VaYikra (and He called) ends with the letter “Aleph “that is shrunken in size. Our sages … Read more
Shabbat Torah portion Tetzaveh (Exodus 27:20-30:10) and Shushan Purim Moshe Kempinski The Torah Portion of Tetzaveh which usually is read before Purim and in this year it is read on Shushan Purim. In the portion we read the following; “You shall make holy garments for your brother Aaron, for honor and glory.( LeChavod ve LiTiferet) … Read more
