Author: Rabbi Gavriel Rubin The chain of events surrounding the giving of the Torah is very difficult to follow, because, according to Rashi’s understanding, the verses are not arranged chronologically, and a number of jumps must be made in order to reconstruct the sequence of events. The
Read more →One of the striking features of Parshas Yisro is the juxtaposition of the portion about Yisro’s advice to Moshe Rabbeinu with Matan Torah. Reb Tzadok HaKohen provides an interesting insight to this in the name of his Rebbe[1]. He begins by discussing the section in which Yisro advises Moshe
Read more →“I am the Lord, Your G-d, who took you out of the land of Mitzrayim from being slaves.[1]” The First of the Ten Commandments is the Mitzva of Emuna, to believe in the one G-d as the first cause of all existence, who constantly creates and sustains
Read more →“I am the Lord, Your G-d, who took you out of the land of Mitzrayim from being slaves.[1]” The First of the Ten Commandments is the Mitzva of Emuna, to believe in the one G-d as the first cause of all existence, who constantly creates and sustains
Read more →The highlight of Parshas Yisro is the Ten Commandments. The fourth Mitzvo is to remember the Shabbos[1], and the fifth is honoring one’s parents[2]. This juxtaposition may not seem to be of great significance, however, this is not the only time in the Torah that these two seemingly
Read more →Rabbi Yehoshua Eliyohu Berman Yisro 1) Where do we see that a Jew in exile must always retain awareness of that fact? In 18:3 it says, “…the name of the one [is] Gershom because he said I was a sojourner in a foreign land.” 2) What is the appropriate
Read more →“Moses’ father-in-law Jethro, sheik of Midian, heard about all that God had done for Moses and His people Israel when He brought Israel out of Egypt.” (Exodus 18:1) What did Jethro hear about that made him come? The Splitting of the Sea and the war with Amalek (Rashi).
Read more →Yisro gets a parsha named after him. He was the father-in-law of Moshe, and was a high priest in Midian. He had wealth, stature, and security.The Torah says, “Yisro heard”…Rashi asks, what did he hear that he came. He answers that it was the splitting of the
Read more →This week’s parsha contains the mitzvah of ‘Shiluach HaKein’. The Torah says if one finds a bird’s nest with its mother sitting and watching the eggs or the chicks, the finder is not allowed to take both the mother and the eggs. He must first send away
Read more →Have you ever felt uninspired in your Judaism? Did you ever wonder if there was some kind of special weapon that can be used against despair and hopelessness in spiritual growth? Isn’t there any quick ‘pep’ talk section in the Torah that will get you going again?
Read more →‘Boruch’ in the Shem Havaya [Rav Yaakov Weinberg zt”l once gave a chabura that went through the entire Shemoneh Esrai in Peirush HaTefila. The following piece was said in that chabura.] In order to understand what the word ‘Boruch’ means we must learn pshat in a Chazal.
Read more →‘Boruch’ in the Shem Havaya [Rav Yaakov Weinberg zt”l once gave a chabura that went through the entire Shemoneh Esrai in Peirush HaTefila. The following piece was said in that chabura.] In order to understand what the word ‘Boruch’ means we must learn pshat in a Chazal.
Read more →Topics covered in this class: Moshe influenced Yisro Preparations for the Revelation. The Decalogue Moshe influences Yisro. Yisro listens well to what had happened. The Rosh Yeshiva: “Say what you mean and mean what you say”. Yisro translates his insight into a concrete action. He demonstrates his
Read more →Rabbi Pinchas Morse Introduction So now that we know what caring is and what’s needed to really care (identifying with another’s needs as if they are your own) why should we want to be more caring individuals? We feel it’s a fundamental of being human, but let’s
Read more →This week’s Torah portion is called Yitro and its central theme is the most monumental event in Jewish history: G-d revealing Himself to the Jewish People and giving us the 10 commandments at Mount Sinai. Yet the beginning of the portion opens with Moshe’s father in law
Read more →Goal: Explain the basis for commitment to the Torah shb’aal peh. Secondary Goal: Begin to develop a Torah concept of marriage. Tertiary Goal: Use of discussion of marriage to convey additional fundamentals of Torah hashgafa: (1) The overarching importance of clear life goals, (2) The comfort/pleasure distinction,
Read more →Rabbi Nachum Braverman Introduction to Torah Study I. Life is for pleasure Tell your class: “It is a principle of Jewish understanding that G-d created us because He wanted to give us pleasure. Illustration: When you have children you’ll see, or if you already have children you
Read more →19:3 Rashi writes here and on verse 6 that Moshe was supposed to say exactly what Hashem told him to – no more and no less. Why was Hashem particular that Mosheshould do exactly what he was told to in the same words and in the same order? Chazalsay in the gemara Shabbos 88A, that Hashem raised Mt. Sinai above B’nai
Read more →Based on Rav Noah Weinberg The ten commandments; ten decrees that would forever change the world, given to us by G-d, and found in this week’s Torah portion. Many of you can probably name most of the ten, yet you may have difficulty with the very first
Read more →Goal: Explanation of the third of the ten commandments: Say what you mean and mean what you say. Secondary Goal: Explanation of the fourth commandment, Shabbat: a) Take pleasure in what you have b) Work with a goal–not from compulsion. Tertiary Goal: Explanation of the fifth commandment:
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