Weekly Parsha Thoughts

This Parsha repeats the command of taking materials for the Mishkan, and also states the actual construction of the Mishkan.  When the Torah describes the bringing of materials, first it says the people brought, and only afterwards mentions that the leaders, the... Read More

The passuk says “The rich one shouldn’t add and the poor one shouldn’t lessen from the machatzis hashekel to give terumah to Hashem to atone for your nefesh.” The Ohr HaChaim Hakadosh asks: why was only a half shekel given and not... Read More

The passuk says, “שמן זית זך כתית למאור.” The Midrash brings a passukזית רענן יפה פרי תואר קרא ה’ שמך. The Midrash asks, is Yisrael only compared to an olive tree? In truth they are compared to many nice trees such as... Read More

In this week’s parsha Hashem tells Moshe to make the Mishkan.  By all the kailim the singular lashon of “v’asisa” is used, while by the aron it says “v’asu”, plural.  The Chofetz Chaim asks: why is this? There were three kailim in... Read More

This Shabbos we lein Parshas Shekalim (in addition to the Parshas HaShavuah) which is the first of the 4 Parshiyos.  The Gemara brings: Raish Lakish said: It is revealed before Hashem that Haman will give shekalim to destroy Bnei Yisroel. Therefore, Hashem... Read More

The last of the Aseres Hadibros says “don’t desire (or be jealous of) the house of your friend, don’t desire the wife of your friend, and his slave and his maidservant and his ox and his donkey and all that your friend... Read More