Bechukotai
A True “Market Price” (27:2)
Reb Hillel heard the Rebbe enter the room, but before he could emerge from his hiding place, he heard Rabbi Schneur Zalman exclaim, ”If a young man has a question regarding Appraisals, he had best first assess himself.” Instantly, Reb Hillel fainted. read more »
Ishmael’s Hebrew Lesson (27:2)
There is a correlation between value and values. That Judaism established that each human being has value is in direct proportion to the values and the principles it preaches. On the other hand, the Arabs espouse hatred, violence, and mutilation... read more »
A Casual Religion (26:23)
Casualness or superficiality. How accurately these adjectives describe contemporary society. Once upon a time life wasn’t easy and few things were achieved casually. If you wanted a warm house in the winter, in all probability you chopped the wood yourself… read more »
Toil: But Your Hands Won't Get Dirty (26:3)
There was a time, in my youth and naiveté that I believed that merely opening a Jewish book one would be more than sufficient to fulfill my obligation to learn Hashem’s Torah. After all, how much could G-d expect from my tired brain and thick skull… read more »
Fair Reward
This week's Torah portion is a study in contrasts. It swings from rewards to punishments, from sweet promises to crushing curses. It tantalizes us with visions of bountiful produce…it also warns us of destruction. Who decides what course of events will materialize? We do. read more »
