torah

There is an old saying that a candle in the sunlight serves no purpose. Dazzled by the bright illumination of the sun, we really gain… Read More »Plants and Wheelchairs

M’lochim II 7:3 This week’s haftorah tells us of the miraculous defeat of the camp of Aram. In the merit of King Yehoram’s retraction from… Read More »Haftorah Commentary Tazria – Metzorah

There is a fascinating paradox that relates to the laws of tzora’as, the spiritual malady, a skin discoloration that affects those who gossip. On one… Read More »Sounds of Solitude

I read in Pirkei Avos that I am now considered to have reached maturity, so perhaps I may be allowed to indulge in a bit… Read More »Chapter One Hundred Forty-Nine

“Go to the flock and take two choice young kids…” (Bereshith 27:9) In this verse, Rivka commanded Yaakov to take goats that belonged to her… Read More »Ends and Means

At times one may recite Shacharis early and spend the rest of the morning learning Torah in the shul. If he is sitting in a… Read More »Multiple Kedushos

Student Comments and Questions This week’s class features student responses to “Women in Judaism: Obligation or Privilege”, which appeared in two installments over the past… Read More »Obligation or Privilege?: Part III

QUESTION 78:  I understand that according to Halacha (Jewish Law), I can keep a ten-dollar bill that I find in the street. Is it a… Read More »Taking Money Found on the Street

Law 4 (end — see last week for entire text) Any person whose character traits all fall in the center, midway between the extremes, is… Read More »Chapter 1, Law 4(b)-5 – Rational or Crazy?

These divrei Torah were adapted from the hashkafa portion of Rabbi Yissocher Frand’s Commuter Chavrusah Tapes on the weekly portion: #1200 – Bugs in the… Read More »Reward And Punishment