Parshas Balak
Rabbi Berel Wein We are taught in the book of Mishlei that it is better to hear criticism from a friend than compliments from someone who is truly one’s enemy. This week’s Torah reading abounds in compliments given to the Jewish people by the leading prophet of the non-Jewish world, Bilaam. From all of the […]
Parshas Chukas
Rabbi Kostelitz
Not a Time For Humility
Rabbi Zvi Teichman An attempt is made by Moshe to take a shortcut on the Children of Israel’s journey to the promised land through the territory of Edom. In what appears to be a heartfelt appeal, Moshe sends a three-pronged message to the King of Edom. Firstly, he asserts their familial connection as ‘brothers’. The […]
Parshas Chukat
Rabbi Berel Wein The Torah reading of this week deals with a ritual in the Temple – that of the Parah Adumah – which is characterized as being a commandment beyond the ken of human understanding and rational interpretation. It remains a primary example of certain commandments that, at their very core, are not easily […]
I See the Light!
Rabbi Zvi Teichman What defines a human is the ability to communicate through words. There are two words used primarily to describe ‘talking’: וידבר and ויאמר. The power of speech can inspire as well as destroy. Moshe is summoned by G-d to instruct the Kohanim of their obligations, אמור — Say to the Kohanim… ואמרת […]
Parshas Acharei Mos
Rabbi Berel Wein The death of the two sons of Aaron remains one of the great mysteries that the Torah presents to us. The Talmud and Midrash have advanced several ideas as to why such a tragedy occurred, and it may seem to a certain extent it was self-inflicted. The reasons for their failures are […]
Holy Schmattes!
Rabbi Zvi Teichman Last week we sat down to the Seder garbed in our white Kittels. The Maharal explains this is done to accentuate our role at the Seder as equivalent to the High Priest who wore ‘white garments’ during the special service performed on the holiest day of year — Yom Kippur. The High […]
Rav Kostelitz Video Shabbos HaGadol
Rav Kostelitz
Rav Kostelitz on Parshas Shmini
Parshas Vayakhel
Rabbi Berel Wein Rashi points out that the opening portion of this week’s Torah reading was transmitted by Moshe to the entire Jewish people in public, when they were all gathered. These laws of the Sabbath that represent one of the core pillars of Judaism – the observance of the Sabbath day as a day […]
