Dwelling in Israel: What does G-d Want from Us?
by Rabbi Shaya Karlinsky, Shlita Elul 5761 Klal Yisrael in Eretz Yisrael is experiencing its most difficult period since the 1948 War of Independence. But much has happened since 1948, and the context in which we view the current difficulties has changed dramatically over the past fifty years. The Jewish people has witnessed miraculous fulfillment […]
Hagaon Rav Shmuel Bornstein zt”l on Parshat Vezot Habrakha
(from Shem Mishmuel Vezot Habrakha 5672 “B’Rashi) Why Do We Finish the Torah on Simchat Torah? Why was the yearly Torah reading schedule set up to finish on Simchat Torah? Surely right before Rosh Hashana would have been a more appropriate finishing time. The Shem Mishmuel offers an explanation through his comments on a Rashi […]
Hagaon Rav Meir Leibush Malbim zt”l on Parshat Haazinu
(from Malbim on Devarim 32:44) Guide to Shirat Haazinu In the verse that precedes the song of Haazinu the Torah tells us, “Moshe said the words of the song in the ears of the people of Israel until they were finished (31:30).” However, notes the Malbim, immediately after the song is completed, the Torah seems […]
Hagaon Rav Chayim ben Atar zt”l and Hagaon Rav Meir Simcha of Dvinsk on Parshat Vayeilech
(from Or Hachayim on Devarim 31:13 and Meshech Chokhma on Devarim 31:12) Educating Infants All of Israel, even children, even infants, are included in the mitzva of “Hakhel”, gathering all of Israel for a public Torah reading in Jerusalem on the Sukkot following the Shemitta year. The Torah’s command opens, “Gather together the nation, men, […]
Hagaon Rav Shlomo Efraim of Prague zt”l on Parshat Nitzavim
(from Kli Yakar on Devarim 30:11) You Needn’t Climb to Heaven There is a four verse section (Devarim 30:11-14) of this week’s Torah portion that opens, “For this commandment that I command you this day, . . . is not beyond you . . . is not far away from you . . . is […]
Hagaon Rav Yehuda Aryeh Leib of Gur zt”l on Parshat Ki Tavo
(from Sfat Emet on Ki Tavo, year 5657, “Pasuk Uva’u”, pp.58a, b ) All of the Blessings Before listing the specific blessings that come upon the people of Israel, the Torah says, “All of these blessings will come to you and overtake you when you listen to the voice of Hashem your G-d.” (Devarim 28:2).” […]
Hagaon Rav Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin (Netziv) zt”l on Parshat Ki Teitzei
(from Haamek Davar on Devarim 22:8) A House’s Foundation “When you build a new house you should build a protective fence (‘maakeh’) for your roof.” (Devarim 22:8) According to the Sifrei, this halakha also applies to an old house: “[From the beginning of the verse] I would only have known that this applies to a […]
Hagaon Rav Moshe Sofer zt”l on Parshat Shoftim
(from Chatam Sofer on Devarim, p. 71, “Tzedek”) Appointing Your Own Judges “You should surely pursue justice (“tzedek tzedek tirdof”) in order that you should live and inherit the land that Hashem your G-d gives you.” Rashi comments, quoting the Gemara in Sanhedrin (32), “The act of appointing proper judges is itself worthy of sustaining […]
Hagaon Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berditchov zt”l on Parshat Re’ei
(from Kedushat Levi on Devarim) “Today’s Blessing” The Parsha opens with, “See that today I place before you a blessing and a curse.” The word “today”, asks the Kedushat Levi, seems superfluous. Why didn’t the Torah say, “See that I place before you. . . “? The Parsha opens with, “See that today I place […]
Hagaon Rav Chaim Yosef David Azulai zt”l on Parshat Eikev
(from Kisei Rachamim on Masekhet Sofrim 18) Land of Iron, Men of Iron Among the praises of the land of Israel mentioned in this week’s parsha appears (Devarim 8:9), “It is a land whose stones are iron and from its mountains copper can be hewn.” In Hebrew: “Eretz asher avaneha barzel umeiharareha tachtzov nechoshet.” The […]
