The main theme and purpose of the Pesach Haggadah, of course, is the recounting of the episode of Yetzi’yas Mitzrayim – the Exodus from Egypt. But a most intriguing aspect of this treasured and familiar document is the introduction, at a key point in the Haggadah, of a character who seems to bear little relation to the matter at hand. What can perhaps be considered the main [...]
A curious shift occurs in the passuk that introduces the theme of sacrificial offerings at the beginning of this week’s parshah. The passuk states: אָדָם כִּי־יַקְרִיב מִכֶּם קָרְבָּן לַד' מִן־הַבְּהֵמָה מִן־הַבָּקָר וּמִן־הַצֹּאן תַּקְרִיבוּ אֶת־קָרְבַּנְכֶם – “When a man from amongst you shall bring a sacrifice to Hashem from the beasts – from cattle or sheep shall you bring your sacrifice” (Vayikra 1:2). The verse begins in the singular form: “Adam ki yakriv – when a [...]
(The following exposition is based largely on the introductory section to the Amudei Ohr [§ 3], the volume of responsa of R’ Yechiel Heller, Av Beis Din of Suvalk.) With the reading of this week’s (double) parshah of Vayakhel-Pekudei, we conclude a unit granted substantial space and prominence by the Torah: the extensive treatment of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and its accoutrements. At this point, then, it is worthwhile to reflect on [...]
It is usually with a tinge of sadness that we study this parshah, as it features the tragic downfall of Yisrael connected with the Cheit Ha’eigel, the Sin of the Golden Calf. The issue of what exactly occurred and what went wrong is dealt with at great length by a host of commentators; a complete treatment of the subject is well beyond the scope of this forum. Here, we [...]
The saintly and venerated R’ Chatzkel Levenstein served for a time as Mashgiach Ruchani (spiritual overseer) for the Mirrer Yeshivah in Brooklyn, NY. However, while he delivered discourses to the students, he did so in his own home, which was some distance from the yeshivah. Actually, there were two ways to get there – the short way and the long way. The issue was that the more direct route was [...]
Parshas Terumah ushers in the subject that is the basic running theme for the remainder of Sefer Shemos: namely, the construction of the Mishkan and all of its accoutrements. It would be somewhat of a shame for one to remain with just a superficial picture of this otherwise massive topic. Such a picture he may have acquired from childhood, a time when the rich and profound meanings [...]
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