The Tongue and the Heart

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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?

The Power of Speech

Metzora 5779

Metzora 5779

The Power of Praise

Between Pesach and Atzma’ut

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:

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.

Parsha Summary: Tazria-Metzora

An Overview of the Torah Portion

An Overview of the Torah Portion

The Lonely Man Of Metzora

Parsha Summary: Metzora

An Overview of the Torah Portion

An Overview of the Torah Portion

Keep Away from What?

A Diseased House

Hirsch At Your Table

A brief Dvar Torah on the Parsha, based on R. Samson Raphael Hirsch’s Torah Commentary

Re-Entering the Mikdash

Hirsch At Your Table

A brief Dvar Torah on the Parsha, based on R. Samson Raphael Hirsch’s Torah Commentary

The Social Sinner

Hirsch At Your Table

A brief Dvar Torah on the Parsha, based on R. Samson Raphael Hirsch’s Torah Commentary