Moshe Rabbeinu's Mussar Shmooze to Israel

"ISRAEL DEFENDS MANKIND"- P' Dvarim- Shabbat Chazon/Tish'a bAv

his week's parsha as well as Megillat Eicha suggest an innovative answer to the age-old question: "Does the leader make anti-Semitism or does anti-Semitism make the leader?", which we ponder on Tisha bAv. Understanding Galut (exile) can precisely help us understand the bizarre coalitions of anti-Semites we see today in the streets and universities of France, England and New York. To realize the historic & international mission of Israel to defend mankind by fighting immorality and those who oppose the traditional family, religion and nationalism, represented by the Jewish-Zionist State who leads (and even doubles!) the western birthrate. Even though we still lack the Beit HaMikdash, thank G-d we are no longer in Galut, and lead the defense for morality and tradition, and fight the wars of Hashem.

Parashat Hashavua: A Torah of Life – part V – More on Yehoshua

Hearing the Sounds

Shabbos Chazon - Seeing the Divine Will in the Mitzvos

The Book of the Covenant

Criteria to Be Chosen

It All Becomes Clear in the End!

Why Are There So Many Jewish Lawyers?

At the beginning of the book of Devarim, Moses reviews the history of the Israelites’ experience in the wilderness, starting with the appointment of leaders throughout the people, heads of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.

Making Aliyah Is a Matter of Will-Power

In this week's Torah portion, which we read every year just before the fast of Tisha B'Av, Moshe Rabbeinu reminds Israel that they 'didn't want to' enter the Land of Israel, following the Sin of the Spies. Bnei Yisrael did not see it that way: 'How can we go up [to the Land]?' they said, as if to say that it was not within their ability to do so.

The Leader as Teacher

By the end of the book of Bamidbar, Moses’ career as a leader would seem to be ending. It is what Moses did next that bears the mark of greatness.

Recalling Past Events

There is no need to reconcile the two apparent differing descriptions of the same Torah event. We know that human beings can never really be truly objective. As such, we can never claim objectivity in recalling past events and describing them for later generations.

Redemption Is "Fast" Approaching

Devarim begins a new Sefer, the last of the Chumash. It represents Moshe’s final “sermon” to his nation, just weeks before he will die on his 120th birthday. This Sedra MUST always read on the Shabbat preceding Tisha B’Av. Why?

Why Are There No Plishtim in Sefer Devarim?

The Rambam rules: Bnei Yisrael were commanded upon entering the Land – to appoint a king. It is noteworthy that Bnei Yisrael did not appoint such a king for some 400 years from the time that Yehoshua led the nation into Eretz Yisrael. Why didn’t they do so? Because they did not have full independence. What prevented full independence? The answer can be found in silence.

Israel Is the Jewish Achilles' Heel

Israel National Torah

Exploring the Kuzari's explanation of the centuries-old question, brought to light in this week's Torah reading Devarim: If Israel is as central to the Jews' essence and mission as we say it is, why don't all Jews live there?

Silence is Proper for the Wise and Sometimes for Prophets

Devarim

Followership

The Teacher as Hero

The Time Has Come for Mishpat Ivri!

In our parasha, Moshe mentioned the appointment of judges. He was looking for “smart, wise, well known in your tribes,” and they were to be ”put at the head of the people” (Devarim 1:13). The judges were commanded to “hear among your brothers and rule with justice between man and his brother” (ibid. 16). The appointment of judges is hinted at as early as Parashat Beshalach (Shemot 15:23-25), right after yetzi’at Mitzrayim. The appointment of proper judges is spelled out in the pre-Sinai context of Parashat Yitro (ibid. 18:21-22). The commandment “for all generations” to make these appointments is found in Parashat Shoftim (Devarim 16:18).