20 Lessons
Parashat Hashavua: Rachel, Leah, and King David – What Happened? – part V
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Shevat 5786
Parashat Hashavua: Gold, Silver, Precious Stones – Closeness to Hashem (part I)
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Shevat 5785
The Holy Ark: Religious Symbol or National Symbol?
...The first utensil that Moshe Rabbeinu was commanded to prepare for the Mishkan was the Holy Ark (Aron), in which the Two Tablets were to be placed. That it was first indicates its importance and central role in the dwelling of the Divine Presence in the Mishkan. And in fact, we find that the very presence of the Aron in the Tabernacle and, later, in the Holy Temple, is what bestowed upon them their special status...
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Adar 3 5783
More on Helping the Weak in Beit Din?
The implication is that the judge should say things that will help specifically the poor. How can one do that while still being faithful to “Do not give preferential treatment to the poor”?
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Shvat 29 5782
Shlomo’s Wisdom and the Wisdom of His Gentile Friends
Our haftara begins with the statement that Hashem gave wisdom to Shlomo as he had promised (Melachim I, 5:26). The navi actually mentions Shlomo’s wisdom in several p’sukim in this section, stating that he was wiser than other famous wise men and that his wisdom was well-known throughout the world (ibid. 9-11). The wisdom being discussed is “universal” wisdom (the word being connected to the institution of a university), which was studied in the leading academic centers throughout the Middle East.
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Adar I 3 5779
The Milo – What, Where, and Why?
What was the goal of the building of the Mishkan and the means of reaching it? We see clearly from the crucial pasuk (Shemot 25:8) that the means is “You shall make for Me a sanctuary” and the goal is “and I shall dwell in their midst,” with the stress on their midst and not just the midst of the sanctuary. We propose the assertion that the Mikdash serves to unite the nation, especially those who came thrice annually to visit it. One could argue that the reason for visiting Yerushalayim is just to take part in the goings-on in the Mikdash. However, we posit that the unity reached is that which made it possible to have the Divine Presence dwell on the people. Unity is an ends and not just a means.
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Shvat 30 5777
Look, No Wings
Parashat Teruma begins with the command to build the aron (ark), which was covered by the kaporet, from which the keruvim (angel-like figures) protruded. The pasuk describes the wings of the keruvim as “extending over the kaporet” (Shemot 25:20). In Yeshaya’s inaugural prophecy (6:2), he saw seraphim (a type of angel) with six wings – two covering their faces, two covering their legs, and two for flying. In the opening prophecy of Yechezkel (1:5-6), we again hear of wings, this time, of the chayot hakodesh (the holy animals) and ofanim.
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Adar I 1 5776
Donations Rather Than Whips and Scorpions
In its initial instructions to prepare for the construction of the Mishkan, the Torah refers four times to words that imply that Bnei Yisrael’s contributions would be voluntary (three times, “terumah” and, once, “yidvenu” (Shemot 25:2-3). The Mishkan was to be built with a feeling of volunteerism, not coercion.
Rabbi Yossef Carmel
A Youthful Meeting of the Faces
Parashat Terumah
Parashat Terumah
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | 4 Adar 5766
The Ark- A Torah Symbol or a National One?
Parashat Terumah
Parashat Terumah
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | 5765