Oh, to be Blessed Like Joseph's Sons

Reward and Punishment in the Headlines

What would have happened had Rav Akiva's students not died

Torah and Army: Which Takes Precedence Today?

The True Chanukah Message for Today

Esav's Deception in His Perennial Struggle with Israel

Israel - The Fall and Rise, and Fall and Rise

Korach, Then and Now

Israel's Special Need For Unity

...This week's Torah portion of Vayakhel describes how the various artisans executed the different activities necessary for the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and the special furniture it held. These include, of course, the Menorah, Holy Ark, table, and altars. Something interesting stands out in this account, however. When the Holy Ark was fashioned, the Torah emphasizes that it was Betzalel ben Uri ben Hur who did it - but regarding the other items, the Torah simply says, "He made," over and over. Why does the Torah not seem to "care" who exactly made the other vessels?

The Laws of G-d Are Truth!

One of the Torah's guidelines for our everyday lives found in this weekly portion is a special instruction as to how to lead the public when there are differences of opinion: "Do not follow a majority for evil… [but otherwise,] follow the majority" (Sh'mot 323,2)... With this, our holy Torah teaches us an important chapter in democracy...

Can I Refuse a Bad IDF Military Order?

Following the Expulsion from Gush Katif, there has been talk of late of a possible need to reconquer this area, from which terrorists continually fire rockets at Israel. Must I, as a soldier, agree to this?

Honoring the Priesthood in Our Time

Tetzave starts out with two verses discussing the oil for the Menorah (lamp) in the Mishkan. It must be "pure beaten olive oil," and the lamp must burn perpetually in the Tent of Meeting. The commentators ask: What are these verses doing here in the portion dealing with the choosing and preparation of the Priests? Why are they not in the passage of the Menorah?

How Can We Take Advantage of Elul?

Translated by Sharona Eshet-Kohen

How can we take advantage of Elul and not "fall" into the High Holidays each year?

The times of Joshua

Recall the surrounded cities from the days of Joshua!

When we are happy on Purim for the miracles we had in the past, and "recall surrounded from the days of Joshua", we remember the great spirit of Joshua and Caleb, who stood in front of all the difficulties and defeated the fortified towns protected by a wall.

Tu B'Shevat-Renewal

Tu B'Shevat signals renewed vitalization in nature. Some Halachic ramifications of the New Year for the trees, the parallel to the spiritual renewal of man on our New Year, and how our daily, monthly and yearly "timetable" is intimately connected with the Land of Israel.

Special Laws for Pesach

Snakes and Scorpions

Joseph the righteous has for generations served as a symbol and model for the survival of the Jewish people in foreign lands. Just as Joseph retained his moral distinction despite being cut off from his home, so did Jacob’s children and their progeny.

Loving Good, Fighting Evil

Jewish mysticism says that there is no complete evil in the world. Every evil contains a kernel of good. The early sages understood that nothing is wholly negative; however, in terms of revealed existence, we must do battle with evil.