Although this article will be discussing punishments, it is still heartbreaking to witness a tragic incident. Along with the rest of the Jewish nation, I am devastated because of the horrific events of last week’s Meron tragedy. May it be the last tragedy the Jewish nation ever faces. Bechukotai has more Psukim discussing curses than blessings. Specifically, while the list
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Profane words should never be used by an individual, especially if it’s about Hashem or any other religious entity. The ending of this weeks Parasha brings down a story with someone from the tribe of Dan who was cursing out Hashem in the camps, for all to see. Due to not knowing what they should do against one who does
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This week’s second parasha starts off with the commandment to be holy. Why? Not because it’s logical or moral, but rather, simply because Hashem himself is holy. דַּבֵּ֞ר אֶל־כָּל־עֲדַ֧ת בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל וְאָמַרְתָּ֥ אֲלֵהֶ֖ם קְדֹשִׁ֣ים תִּהְי֑וּ כִּ֣י קָד֔וֹשׁ אֲנִ֖י יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ Speak to the whole Israelite community and say to them: You shall be holy, for I, the LORD your God, am
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For the eternal merit to the soul of my grandfather Yitzchak Aziz Ben Mashallah Hacohen A”H This week’s Torah portion begins with God calling Moshe and speaking to him from the Ohel Moed (Leviticus 1:1). Rashi points out that God addresses Moshe with the word “vayikra,” whereas in Parshat Balak (Numbers 23:4) God speaks to the gentile prophet, Bilam, with
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For the eternal merit to the soul of my grandfather Yitzchak Aziz Ben Mashallah Hacohen A”H In the first portion of Parshat Vayakhel, the Torah states: “Every man and woman whose heart moved them to bring for any of the work that God had commanded to make, through the hand of Moshe, Bnei Yisrael brought a free-willed offering to God.”
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When faced with a near-death experience, one should internalize what happened, and value the creator who gave him a second chance. However, Bnei Yisrael did not internalize the actual deaths that occurred to them at Har Sinai, just 40 days prior to the event of the Golden Calf. Despite being on a spiritual level worthy enough to receive the Torah, they
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For the eternal merit to the soul of my grandfather Yitzchak Aziz Ben Mashallah Hacohen A”H When Haman was promoted to second-in-command, the king ordered that every passerby must bow down to him. The Gemara (Sanhedrin 61b) explains that it was halachically permissible to comply with this edict, for there was no issue of actual idolatry involved. As a result,
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For the eternal merit to the soul of my grandfather Yitzchak Aziz Ben Mashallah Hacohen A”H Hashem told Moshe: “Speak to Bnei Yisrael and they shall take for Me a contribution (for the construction of the Mishkan)” (Shemot 25:2). The Rabbis note that we would expect the pasuk to say, “They shall give to Me a donation” – not take
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For the eternal merit to the soul of my grandfather Yitzchak Aziz Ben Mashallah Hacohen A”H The great revelation at Sinai was a most significant moment in the experience of communication. The event is described as an experience like “eating and drinking;” a real, live, enjoyable experience. Moshe, the leader of the people, achieved an even greater level of communication
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For the eternal merit to the soul of my grandfather Yitzchak Aziz Ben Mashallah Hacohen A”H R’ Shlomo Brevda z”l (1931-2013); Maggid and author, noted for his commentaries on the teachings of the Vilna Gaon z”l) writes: Parashat Yitro describes the most important event in human history–the Giving of the Torah. Why is the Parashah that includes that seminal event
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The Valley Torah Scroll 