December 23, 2024

Linking Northern and Central NJ, Bronx, Manhattan, Westchester and CT

William S.J. Fraenkel

Articles by William S.J. Fraenkel

In for a Penny…

The well-known explanation for parshat Mishpatim—following the revelation at Har Sinai—is so we learn that even seemingly secular laws were given on the mountain and

The Future Is Now

Parshat Toldot is very perplexing: How could Esau sell his birthright for a pot of lentil stew? How could Yitzhak be oblivious to Esau’s faults?

Bringing Arrogance to Heel

There are a number of puzzling things in Parshat Eikev, including the name itself. The parsha begins: “וְהָיָה עֵקֶב תִּשְׁמְעוּן אֵת הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים, And it will

Chock Full o’ Nuts

Of all the symbols or signs that Hashem could have sent to convey to Bnei Yisrael that Ahron’s children and the tribe of Levi were

A Light of Hope

The structure of Parshat Beha’alotecha appears slightly disjointed. It begins with instructions to Aharon concerning lighting the Menorah. The parsha then proceeds to the installation

Remembering Inherent Value

There is something odd about a verse toward the end of the third aliyah of this week’s parsha. The verse reads: “And I will remember

Heightening Holiness

At first blush, Parshat Emor’s organization seems odd. The mixture of topics seem unrelated. Emor begins with laws concerning those people for whom kohanim can