torah

These divrei Torah were adapted from the hashkafa portion of Rabbi Yissocher Frand’s Commuter Chavrusah Tapes on the weekly portion: #1193 “Dayan, If You Know… Read More »The Thief Who Won’t Climb Back Up

This week we read the parsha of Mishpatim­Judgments. Mishpatim are laws that we understand their importance and relevance. They include the prohibitions against murder and… Read More »Remember the Feeling

The Mitzvah There was an obligation for the court to kill the one whose iniquity was punishable by death (Shemos 21:12; ibid 21:20). In the… Read More »Capital Punishment: Courting Death

“My wrath shall blaze and I shall kill you by the sword, and your wives will be widows and your children orphans”(22:23) The Torah prohibits… Read More »Reliving The Pain

The Story “I definitely want that chocolate bar!” “Look at those jaw breakers!” Chana and Naomi were standing by the candies at the local supermarket… Read More »Borrowing

“And these are the ‘mishpatim’ (civil ordinances) that you shall place before them” (Shemos/Exodus 21:1) The miraculous Revelation at Sinai, at which the Jewish nation… Read More »Head and Shoulders Above the Rest

How would you feel? That is a question asked by a wide-ranging group of inquisitors ranging from kindergarten teachers chiding their immature charges, to philosophy… Read More »Position Impositions

Friday Night One day a gentile came to Shammai and asked him how many Torahs the Jewish people have. He answered two, a written one… Read More »Hillel-Shammai Approach

It is forbidden for a person to renounce possession of or sanctify his property (to the Temple or sacred causes) and [as a result] make… Read More »Chapter 5, Law 12 – Financial Planning

Mishna 10 Rabban Yochanan ben (son of) Zakkai had five [primary] students. They were: Rabbi Eliezer ben Hurkenos, Rabbi Yehoshua ben Chananya, Rabbi Yossi the… Read More »Chapter 2, Mishna 10-11(b): Piety or Stupidity?