Mishnas Chayim Parshah Posts

Fascinating weekly parshah posts

Dangerous Davening-Parshas Va’eschanan

By |2021-06-24T14:02:02-04:00August 7, 2022|

Anyone even remotely acquainted with the davening (prayer) experience is familiar with the recital of Shemoneh Esrei as being from the most solemn aspects of the entire event. After the (hopefully) fervent humming of the preceding prayers, a hushed silence suddenly descends, as the assembled stand quietly, feet together, in united devotion. Keeping One’s Head About Them One indication of the gravity Chazal accord this solemn moment is the [...]

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Tisha B’Av and Shabbos: Contradictory, or Compatible?-Parshas Devarim

By |2022-08-01T10:46:21-04:00July 31, 2022|

(The following is based in large part on a dissertation of the Nesivos Shalom, contained in the Bamidbar volume, p. 207.) What happens when the ninth of Av – usually observed as a day of fasting and intense mourning for the Churban (Destruction [of Yerushalayim and the Beis Hamikdash]) – occurs on Shabbos? This is actually more than just a question of pragmatics; as we shall see, the issue [...]

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Virtues of Attendance-Parshas Mattos-Masei

By |2021-06-23T20:10:41-04:00July 24, 2022|

This week’s parshah opens in a somewhat unique manner. The first section details the laws of nedarim (vows) and begins with an introductory proclamation. While so far this may seem fairly typical, the departure here relates to the individuals being addressed. As the passuk states: וַיְדַבֵּר מֹשֶׁה אֶל־רָאשֵׁי הַמַּטּוֹת לִבְנֵי יִשְֹרָאֵל לֵאמֹר זֶה הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה ד'... –“And Moshe spoke to the heads of the tribes of B’nei Yisrael, saying: ‘This is the matter that Hashem has commanded...’” (Bamidbar [...]

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In Style-Parshas Pinchas

By |2021-06-23T20:07:56-04:00July 17, 2022|

The parshah opens up with words of praise for Pinchas, whose act of zealotry put an end to what had been Yisrael’s disgrace: וַיְדַבֵּר ד' אֶל־מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹר  פִּינְחָס בֶּן־אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן־אַהֲרֹן הַכֹּהֵן הֵשִׁיב אֶת־חֲמָתִי מֵעַל בְּנֵי־יִשְֹרָאֵל בְּקַנְאוֹ אֶת־קִנְאָתִי בְּתוֹכָם וְלֹא־כִלִּיתִי אֶת־בְּנֵי־יִשְֹרָאֵל בְּקִנְאָתִי – “And Hashem spoke to Moshe, saying: Pinchas the son of Elazar, son of Aharon the Kohein, has removed My wrath from B’nei Yisrael through his avenging My jealousy amongst them; [...]

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When the Race is Over-Parshas Balak

By |2021-06-23T20:05:11-04:00July 10, 2022|

The world is, and always has been, obsessed with the attainment of “kavod” – honor (i.e., glory and recognition). And while most people crave it and pursue it, the Torah’s outlook is just the opposite. The ideal, Chazal relate, is to recognize the fallacy of honor and to try to avoid it. As we shall see, the main character of this week’s parshah serves as the model for the [...]

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Balancing Act-Parshas Chukas

By |2021-06-23T20:02:30-04:00July 3, 2022|

Chazal offer an intriguing interpretation of a familiar passuk. Every day in Keri’as Shema we review the command bidding us to love Hashem and to dedicate ourselves to His service. As it states: וְאָהַבְתָּ אֵת ד' אֱלֹקֶיךָ בְּכָל־לְבָבְךָ וּבְכָל־נַפְשְׁךָ וּבְכָל־מְאֹדֶךָ – “You shall love Hashem your G-d with all of your heart, all of your soul, and all of your might” (Devarim 6:5). (Actually, each of these items [heart, soul, and might] [...]

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