Rabbi Chanan Morisson The Mishnah in Bikurim (3:2-3) describes the impressive procession of Jewish farmers, as they brought their first-fruits to Jerusalem: “How were the first-fruits brought up to Jerusalem? Farmers from surrounding towns would gather in the district capital, and camp out in the main square. In the morning, the officer would call out, … 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
Rabbi Chanan Morisson While the Torah commands every Jew to write a Torah scroll, there is one individual who is obligated to write an additional Torah scroll. Surprisingly, it is neither the high priest, nor the head of Sanhedrin. It is the king who is commanded to write a second Torah scroll during his reign … Read more
by Rabbi Chanan Morrison “For some time I have been struggling with an inner conflict, and a mighty force impels me to speak about teshuvah (penitence). All my thoughts are focused on this theme alone. Teshuvah holds a primary place in Torah and in life; all the hopes of the individual and of society depend … Read more
Rabbi Chanan Morisson Rabbi Isaac Luria, the famed Kabbalist of 16th century Safed, posed the following question: how could the soul, which is purely spiritual, be nourished from physical food? How is it possible that bread enables the soul to remain bound to the body? He explained that all created matter in the universe – … Read more
Rabbi Chanan Morisson 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
Rabbi Chanan Morisson “All who mourn over [the destruction of] Jerusalem — will merit to see it in its joy.” (Ta’anit 30b) At first glance, this statement seems peculiar. Why did the Sages say that those who mourn Jerusalem will merit seeing it be-simchata — ‘in its joy’? It would be more logical to say … Read more
by Chanan Morrison One who makes a vow should take care to fulfill it: “If a man makes a vow to God, or makes an oath to prohibit [something] to himself, he must not break his word. He should do all that he expressed verbally.” (Num. 30:3) Oaths and vows are a natural human response … Read more
