38 Lessons
Parashat Hashavua The Content of Kingliness and Servitude
Based on Harav Shaul Yisraeli – from Shirat Hageula pp. 22-25
Based on Harav Shaul Yisraeli – from Shirat Hageula pp. 22-25
Metzora Tzaraat
Heaven is indeed conscious of our thoughts, actions, speech, and behavior. And that these have consequences both for the good and for the better.
Metzora Leprosy, Exile, & the Final Redemption
Connecting the phenomenon of leprosy of the house, and the steps taken to resolve it, to how the story of the final Redemption will play out.
Metzora The Power of Shame
The new social media have brought about a return to an ancient phenomenon, public shaming. Tthis gives us a way of understanding the otherwise bewildering phenomenon of tsara’at.
Metzora The Historical Root of Lashon Hara
From Siach Shaul, p. 326-328 (1944)
Lashon hara is an expression of evil. An evil eye (ayin hara) looks for something or someone who is above it, and upon finding it, poisons the person’s tranquility and does not allow him to enjoy things he could have enjoyed.
Metzora How to Praise
The Sages were eloquent on the subject of lashon hara, the sin they took to be the cause of tsara’at. But there is a meta-halachic principle: “From the negative you can infer the positive”.Therefore there must in principle be a concept of lashon hatov, good speechץ
Metzora A Skin Disorder...Only in Israel?
The Torah limits the disease of Tzra'at (according to the Ramban), to the land of Israel. Is that positive or negative?
Tazria Must I Keep the Mohel?
Since the beginning of parshas Tazria discusses the mitzvah of bris milah, it is certainly an appropriate week to discuss:
Parashat Hashavua Many Ask the Wrong Question
Sefer Vayikra is full of discussion of korbanot, both public and private. Many explain that the special status of Shabbat Hagadol has to with Bnei Yisrael’s preparations for the Korban Pesach, which they brought in Egypt right before their liberation came to fruition.
Tazria Parsha Summary: Tazria-Metzora
An Overview of the Torah Portion
An Overview of the Torah Portion
Metzora A Diseased House
Hirsch At Your Table
A brief Dvar Torah on the Parsha, based on R. Samson Raphael Hirsch’s Torah Commentary
Metzora Re-Entering the Mikdash
Hirsch At Your Table
A brief Dvar Torah on the Parsha, based on R. Samson Raphael Hirsch’s Torah Commentary
Metzora The Social Sinner
Hirsch At Your Table
A brief Dvar Torah on the Parsha, based on R. Samson Raphael Hirsch’s Torah Commentary