torah

METZORA Melachim II 7:3–20 Refining Our Character FlawsPeople are driven by various interests during their lifetime. Although one can, at times, conceal one’s true colors… Read More »Haftorah Commentary Metzora

This weeks parsha, Metzora, begins with the purification process of the metzora- the afflicted individual. As we explained last week, this ailment, not to be… Read More »A Social Misfit and Recluse

In this week’s Torah portion, the Torah deals with various types of tzoraas, commonly mistranslated as leprosy. Tzoraas is a Heavenly affliction that strikes a… Read More »Eyeing the Eye

Parshas Tazria deals primarily with the physio-spirtual plague that affects gossips and rumor mongers with the plague of tzora’as. Tzora’as appears as a white lesion… Read More »Kohen… Kohen… GONE!

PIRKEI AVOS, WHICH we learn Shabbos afternoons between Pesach and Shavuos, begins with: “All of Israel have a share in the World to Come, as it says: ‘And… Read More »Happy With Portion?

And the pig, because it has a cloven hoof that is completely split, but will not regurgitate its cud; it is unclean for you. (Vayikra… Read More »The Moment We Quit Trying

And it was/Vayehi on the eighth day… Chazal[2] observe that sometimes Scripture uses the word vayehi, and at other times the word vehaya. Both essentially… Read More »Tough Love

SHEMINIShmuel II 6:1–7:17Sanctity and Humility This week’s Haftarah teaches us an important lesson about sanctity and the true greatness one displays through honoring Hashem’s Presence.… Read More »Sanctity and Humility

This week we read the parsha of Shemini. “Va’y’hee ba’yom ha’shmini (And it was on the eighth day) [9:1].” Rashi explains that this was the… Read More »A Clear Upside-Down World

Vulgar language is not acceptable according to the Torah. We are always expected to speak with refinement and decorum, but the Torah does not tell… Read More »Genteel Ambiguity