Be On Guard

Be On Guard

In the Torah section of Naso, G-d tells Moses (Bamidbar 6:2-3), “Speak to the children of Israel and say to them: A man or a woman who shall set [himself] apart by taking a nazarite vow to set [himself] apart to G-d.  From wine and hard drink shall he abstain.” On the aforementioned, Rashi asks, “Why…

Higher Expectations

Higher Expectations

The Torah section of Emor begins (Vayikra 21:1-23): “And G-d said to Moses: Say to the priests the sons of Aaron and tell them: Each of you shall not contaminate himself to a [dead] person among his people.  Except for the relative who is closest to him, to his mother and to his father, to…

Do Not Deny Another

Do Not Deny Another

In the Torah section of Kedoshim, we find the famous verse (Vayikra 19:18), “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Many, upon reading this verse, wonder as to its exact meaning and ramifications. In explanation of this verse, R. Eliyahu Dessler amplifies upon it, in Mikhtav Me’Eliyahu III pp. 88- 90, in accordance with the exposition on the verse by…

Show and Tell

In the beginning of the Torah section of Metzora, we read (Vayikra 14:1-4): “And G-d spoke to Moses, saying:  This shall be the law of the metzora on the day of his purification; and he shall be brought to the kohen.  The kohen shall go forth to the outside of the camp, and the kohen shall look and behold the tzara’at affliction had been…

Humility not Stupidity

Humility not Stupidity

The Torah section of Shmini tells us of the sad incident involving the death of Aaron’s two prestigious sons, Nadav and Avihu.  Despite their greatness, the two overstepped their bounds and were consumed by a heavenly fire.  We read (Vayikra 10:1-3): “And the sons of Aaron, Nadav and Avihu, each took his fire-pan and they…

Rejoice in Trembling

Rejoice in Trembling

In the Torah section of VaYakhel and continued into the Torah section of Pekude, Moses repeats to the nation, whom he has led through the desert to the holy land, G-d’s instructions for the construction of the Mishkan (the Holy Tabernacle), a focal point for communicating with and serving G-d. In one of his talks, printed in Mikhtav…