Getting into the Other Guy's Head

Parashat Hashavua: A World of Repairing

May a kohen who kills a terrorist do birkat kohanim?

We’re half-way there already!

Oh how much do I love Your Torah

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 Social Animal

What Was the Point of the Mechonot?

The Great Cottage Cheese Controversy

This week’s parsha includes one of the places where the Torah teaches about mixing milk and meat together

The Mishkan

What links the size of the world and the size of the tabernacle?

Why was the temple built by Solomon larger than the Tabernacle in the desert? What was the Second Holy Temple's effect on the world? And what can we expect in the future?

More Than the Jews Have Preserved Shabbat...

There is, perhaps, no more striking a mark of absolute Jewish identity that exists in our society than that of observing, sanctifying, and enjoying the Sabbath day.

The Spirit of Community

What do you do when your people have just made a Golden Calf? How do you restore moral order? The answer lies in the first word of today’s parsha: Vayakhel.

Whatever Happened to the Mishkan?

I Got Plenty of Nuthin’…

Why should the women be rewarded for holding on to their rings & bracelets & necklaces?! It’s only natural that they should want to keep them!

“I Shall Dwell in the Midst of Bnei Yisrael” – part II

What is the correlation between the intensity of the Divine Presence and the ability of people to prophesy? How does the dwelling of the Divine Presence cause an increase in prophecy?

How is Living in the Diaspora Idolatry?

Israel National Torah

examining the two rectifications of idolatry: Shabbat and the Land of Israel.

Celebrate

If leaders are to bring out the best in those they lead, they must give them the chance to show they are capable of great things, and then they must celebrate their achievements.

What Was the Mysterious "Tachash" Used in the Mishkan?

The Ultimate Labor Saver

Man has always dreamed about a robot that would do everything for him. But the ultimate labor saver has been around for more than three thousand years.