34 Lessons
Behar Miscellaneous Mitzvah Matters
The midrash at the beginning of this week’s parsha mentions that the details of all mitzvos were taught at Sinai, making this topic extremely timely…
Kdoshim Kil’ayim is not crossbreeding!!
Parshas Kedoshim contains one of the two places in the Torah where the Mitzvos of kKil’ayim are taught.
Emor Oso Ve’es Beno
This week’s parsha, Emor, includes the following mitzvah: Oso Ve’es Beno: Slaughtering an Animal and its Offspring
Achrei Mot Prepared to DeLIVER
In many places, the Torah forbids the consumption of blood. In the parsha of Acharei Mot, this prohibition of blood is mentioned. In Kedoshim there are nine references to blood, in the context of different prohibitions. This makes it appropriate to discuss the laws of preparing livers according to halacha.
Tzav An Unusual Haftarah
Why do we read the haftarah that we do this week? What does parshas Tzav have to do with Shabbos Hagadol? What is Purim Meshulash and what does it have to do with this week’s parsha?
Kdoshim More on Orlah
I transplanted a cherry tree in order to sell the wood I see that many cherries have grown on the tree. Are they prohibited as orlah? A sabra tree plantad as a natural border fence for his property, and placed a sign telling people not to help themselves to the fruit. Is there an orlah prohibition on the fruit? If I plant trees for wood, do I need to keep track of which year I plant the tree, due to orlah concerns?
Tazria Believing is Seeing
May I be mekadeish levanah now, although I am indoors, and I am also obviously looking at the moon through a window? The brocha of borei me’orei ha’eish on an electric light - could one do this when a lightbulb must be encased in glass for it to burn? What do the above questions have to do with this week’s parsha?
Shmini Lessons of Parshas Shemini
“I work as a leather tanner. Should I train for a different parnasah, so that I can make a living after Moshiach comes?” “What is the difference between a toad and a frog?” What does either of the previous two questions have to do with this week’s parshah?
Behar Thoughts on Chinuch
Since this week’s parsha discusses the Tochacha, whose entire purpose is the education of the Jewish people, it is certainly an appropriate time to discuss:
Emor From Haifa to Reykjavik
Parshas Emor teaches about the halachos prohibiting a kohen from becoming contaminated by contact to a corpse, a mitzvah that, as a kohen, I am privileged to observe.
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: