Weekly Parsha Thoughts

Vayeira

The passuk states “וירא אליו ה’ באלוני ממרא, and Hashem appeared to him – Avraham, in the plains of Mamrey.” Rashi explains the reason why Hashem came was to be me’vaker Avraham who was sick because of his circumcision. Rebi Chama says...
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Lech Lecha

The passuk states: “ויהי השמש לבוא, and the sun was setting.” A bit farther it states “ויהי השמש באה, and the sun had set.” The Meshech Chochma says until this parsha the sun was called “מאור הגדול, the great luminary.” When Avraham...
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Noach

The Gemara brings: a person should not let a disgraceful thing out of his mouth. This is derived from that which the Torah changed to write the words “אשר איננה טהורה, that which is not tehorah,” in place of the shortened and...
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Beraishis

The passuk states “ותהר ותלד את קין ותאמר קניתי איש את ה, and she conceived and gave birth to Kayin, and she said, ‘I acquired איש את ה.’” What does it mean “I acquired איש את ה’?” Rashi explains when Hashem created...
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Aseres Yimei Teshuva- Judge favorably

On Rosh Hashanah, I sat behind the person who blows shofar. On the 2nd night of Rosh Hashanah, he asks me, “What do you use for shehechiyanu, do you have any spare shehechiyanu fruits for me?” I wondered, why didn’t he prepare...
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Netzavim

The passuk states, “הנסתרות לה’ אלהינו והנגלות לנו ולבנינו עד עולם, that which is hidden is to Hashem our G-d, and that which is revealed is to us and our children forever.” What are the נסתרות, hidden things, which are to Hashem,...
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