Moshe Kempinski The beginning of the Torah Portion of Ki Tavo begins with the Hebrew word VeHaya: And it will be,( Ve Haya) when you come into the land which Hashem, your God, gives you for an inheritance, and you possess it and settle in it,( Deuteronomy 26:1) . We are told by the Midrash … Read more
Rabbi Chanan Morisson “Remember what Amalek did to you on your way out of Egypt. When they encountered you on the way, and you were tired and exhausted, they cut off those lagging to your rear, and they did not fear God. Therefore … you must obliterate the memory of Amalek from under the heavens.” … Read more
by Rabbi Chanan Morrison Surprisingly, but the Torah never spells out exactly where the Temple is to be built. Rather we are instructed to build the Beit HaMikdash ‘in the place that God will choose’: “But only to the place that the Eternal your God will choose from all your tribes to set His Name … Read more
by Rabbi Chanan Morrison The Torah clearly expects us to feel both love and awe for God: “And now, Israel, what does God want of you? Only that you remain in awe of the Lord your God, following in all His paths and loving Him.” (Deut. 10:12) What is awe of God? Why is this … Read more
Rabbi Chanan morison Rabbi Akiva’s Martyrdom When the Romans decreed that teaching Torah is a crime punishable by death, Rabbi Akiva’s reaction was not surprising. The pre-eminent scholar, who had supported Bar Kochba in his revolt against Rome, gathered people together and gave public Torah lectures. Before long, Rabbi Akiva was charged and convicted. When … Read more
by Rabbi Chanan Morrison The Salesman and the King The Book of Deuteronomy consists mainly of Moses’ farewell speeches, spoken to the Jewish people as they prepared to enter the Land of Israel. The eloquence, passion, and rhythm of Moses’ discourses are breathtaking. And we cannot but wonder: is this the same person who claimed … Read more
Moshe Kempinski The book describing the people’s journey through the wilderness (the book of Numbers) is reaching its completion. It is not happenstance that this book of Bamidbar is culminated in the midst of the “three weeks of longing”. We are in the midst of mourning for and yearning for the absent House of G-d. … Read more
by Rabbi Chanan Morrison The Torah uses a series of almost poetic metaphors to describe the daily Tamid offering: “Be careful to offer My offering — My bread-offering, My fire-offering, My appeasing fragrance — in its proper time.” (Num. 28:2) What is the significance of these four descriptions: offering, bread, fire, and fragrance? Four Characteristics … Read more
