Standing Silently By

Arrogance and Bachelorhood

The Lessons of Yosef in Egypt

The Land of Israel's Special Light, as Reflected in the Priestly Blessing

The Mutual Love Between G-d and Israel

What Makes Jerusalem Special

G-d's Love for Israel: Conditional?

The Real Purpose of the Shekalim Coins

The Real Purpose of the Shekalim Coins

Eradicating Hatred in Our Generation

How the Four Places Called "Zion" are All the Same

The Wars of the Peaceful Levites

Fighting With Faith: A Message for Politicians on Both Right and Left

Do Not Fear Them!

Harps To Exile

Only Those Who Live In The Land Love G-d

The Torah threatens punishment for idol-worshipers that is only 1/500th of the reward that the righteous will receive: "Concerning My enemies, I keep in mind the fathers' sins for their descendants, [only] to the 3rd and 4th generations. But for those who love Me and keep My commandments, I show love for [at least two] thousands of generations" (Sh'mot 20,5-6). The punishment is for four generations, and the reward for 2,000 generations. But the question we would like to address is: Why are the righteous termed both "those who love Me" and "those who keep My commandments?" Is not one enough?

Gratitude for the Land of Israel

This week's Torah portion of Ki Tavo begins with the words of appreciation that one must say when he brings his First Fruits to the Holy Temple: "I say today that I have come to the Land that G-d vowed to our Forefathers to give to us…" (D'varim 26,3). Rashi explains that the purpose of this statement is to show that we are not ungrateful. Ungrateful for what? The Maharal of Prague, in his commentary on Rashi entitled Gur Aryeh, explains...

The Land of Israel Hidden in the 10 Commandments

If all 613 commandments are included in the Ten Commandments ... where is the Land of Israel?

G-d: "I want Israel in the Land - even if they defile it!"

Here's a question that repeatedly arises: Given that we see some Jewish communities that by and large traditionally observed the Torah and its commandments, yet ceased doing so to a significant extent after they immigrated to the Land of Israel – was it worth it? There were great rabbis who said, prior to the Holocaust, that religious Jews should not ascend to the Land as long as its Zionist leaders were sinners and sometimes even heretics; perhaps they were right?

How Wooden Beams Prove Perfect Faith

Why does the Torah refer to "the boards," as if we know which boards it is talking about? No boards have yet been mentioned! Furthermore, regarding none of the other utensils in the Mishkan is "the" mentioned; instead it says, "You shall make a menorah… a covering for the tent," etc. Why then are the boards singled out?