he Lord God formed man from the dust of the earth. He blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being. Breysheet/Genesis 2:7 The verb used in our verse, “va-yitser” – “formed” is routinely used in the Bible regarding the work of a potter. God shapes and then animates the Continue Reading »
The festival of Shmini Atseret which begins this evening is described only briefly in the Torah in the context of the Israelite sacred calendar. In the Book of Vayikra/Leviticus we read: The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Say to the Israelite people: On the fifteenth day of this seventh month there shall be the Feast Continue Reading »
You stand this day, all of you, before the Lord your God — your tribal heads, your elders and your officials, all the men of Israel, your children, your wives, even the stranger within your camp, from woodchopper to water drawer — to enter into the covenant of the Lord your God, which the Lord Continue Reading »
A Tidbit of Torah – Parshat Kee Teytzeh 5783 If you see your fellow’s ox or sheep gone astray, do not ignore it; you must take it back to your fellow. If your fellow does not live near you or you do not know who he is, you shall bring it home and it shall remain Continue Reading »
A Tidbit of Torah – Shoftim 5783 You shall appoint magistrates and officials for your tribes, in all the settlements that the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall govern the people with due justice. You shall not judge unfairly: you shall show no partiality; you shall not take bribes, for bribes blind the Continue Reading »
A Tidbit of Torah – Parshat Re’eh 5783 If there appears among you a prophet… saying, “Let us follow and worship another god”… do not heed the words of that prophet… he shall be put to death; for he urged disloyalty to the Lord your God… If your brother… or your closest friend entices you in Continue Reading »
A Tidbit of Torah – Parshat Ekev 5783 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with streams and springs and fountains issuing from plain and hill; a land of wheat and barley, of vines, figs, and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey; a land where you Continue Reading »
A Tidbit of Torah – Parshat Va’etchanan 5783 But if you search there for the Lord your God, you will find Him, if only you seek Him with all your heart and soul — D’varim / Deuteronomy 4:29 Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Peshischa(1) was the leader of a movement which revolutionized Hasidic thought by juxtaposing Continue Reading »
Shabbat Parashat Devarim July 21, 2023 – 3 Av 5783 These are the words that Moses addressed to all Israel on the other side of the Jordan. – Devarim / Deuteronomy 1:1 The Gra(1) parsed the opening words of this passage giving particular emphasis to the middle phrase. “These are the words that Moses addressed to”, the Continue Reading »
Dear Friends, With gratitude and joy in my heart for having been privileged to serve as your pulpit Rabbi for the past 22 years, I write this final Tidbits of Torah, as a blessing and thanks to Rodef Sholom Temple. RST is a wonderful, vibrant congregation. Thanks to the leadership, membership, staff and volunteers of Continue Reading »
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