Parshat Naso Throughout my years of studying the story of Shimshon HaGibor, whose miraculous story of his birth is detailed in this week’s haftarah, I

Second Day Of Shavuot Shavuot. “Z’man Matan Torateinu.” And, given that we see these days as the time when we received the Torah’s laws, (when

Parshat Behar-Bechukotai Today’s reading is an especially difficult one to follow as almost half of its pesukim describe the horrific punishments that would befall Israel

Parshat Emor There is an old joke (?) that, after Moshe Rabbeinu shattered the luchot, the people began to pick up the pieces left from

 Parashiyot Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, Yom Ha’atzmaut HaRav Simcha Assaf writes in his book “T’kufat HaGeonim V’sifrutah” that, upon the passing of the great Rav Sherira Gaon,

First Day of Pesach “Shal na’alecha me’al raglecha … ”As this haftarah closes, we read of an event that should strike a familiar chord to

Shabbat HaGadol, Parshat Tzav In the seven plus years that I have had the privilege of sharing different views, new thoughts and, hopefully, enlightening ideas

Parshat Vayikra There are times—actually many times—when I review the weekly haftarah in preparation of these articles, and I pause in amazement at the magnificence

Parashiyot VaYakhel-Pekudei, Shabbat HaChodesh “Hachodesh hazeh lachem rosh chodashim … ” This week’s special maftir reading taken from the 12th perek in Shemot, opens with

Parshat Ki Tissa When we listen to the prophetic words of the Navi Yechezkel that are read this Shabbat, we might wonder why this 36th

 Parshat Terumah In this week’s parsha of Terumah, we are introduced to the world of ritual service with the mitzvah of constructing a Mishkan as

Parshat Mishpatim, Shabbat Shekalim The special haftarah selection that is read for Shabbat Shekalim tells the story of King Yehoash. Over these years, I have