Vayikra
What's in a Name?
Generally, the א is just about inaudible. Its diminutive form at the beginning of Vayikra makes this one almost invisible. What is Scripture intimating? The presence of G-d in history will not always be clear and unambiguous. read more »
Click here to download this classA ‘Little’ Man? (1:1)
Several months ago I met a man. It was tragedy that brought us together. He was self-effacing, thankful for what he did have, not famous…but he was not a “little” man. read more »
Click here to download this classActions Count (1:2)
The sin offering represents an idea unfamiliar in Western ethics. Our acts make a difference. Unfortunately, we have come to believe that all that matters, as far as morality is concerned, is our intent. read more »
Click here to download this classThe Animal within (1:2)
Offering yourself, meaning the animal in you, to G-d is the cornerstone of all Judaism. But how do you bring the animal in you? Do you avoid all human pleasure and live a somber life of deprivation and misery? Hardly! read more »
Click here to download this classTHE BEAST GOT S’MICHA (1:4)
Both Rabbis and animal offerings receive Semicha, a term meaning ordination as well as laying one’s hands upon. So what is the difference between a Rabbi’s S’micha and the animal’s? read more »
Click here to download this classInvest Right (Pesach) (4:2)
Can a person sin because he is involved in doing a Mitzvah? One Chassidic master thought so. Discover why? read more »
Click here to download this classDEAR MR. EHUD OLMERT (4:22)
A king relies on popular support. Without that he could be deposed. But this is laden with risk. Doing what the people want is not always what G-d wants. Can a leader make us, and G-d, happy? read more »
Click here to download this classThe Animal Within
Does serving God mean that one has to sacrifice one’s life? And if not literally, is one obligated to obliterate their personality and become someone they’re not? With all this hoopla surrounding, for G-d’s sake, a movie, some Jews may be wondering if that is what it takes to really be passionate about religion. Thank G-d (according to the real One), NO! In fact, it’s anathema to the very fundamentals of Judaism. read more »
Invest Right
(Hebrew writing)
The literal translation of this verse is, “If a person will inadvertently sin by doing any of the things that G-d commanded shall not be done...” Although this straight-forward text is clean and unambiguous, that did not stop one of the great Chasidic masters of a century and a half ago to add another unique interpretation. According to him, the verse also means, “A person may sin when he does one of G-d’s commandements in a way that he should not have one it.” read more »
The Beast Got S'micha
Individuals have a way of creating their own lines of demarcation. A young man or woman might categorize their lives into two periods; “before leaving home for university versus after leaving home.” For someone moving up the corporate ladder, the different stages could be, “the days one was an employee vs. the time one finally became the employer.” read more »
