Weekly Parsha Thoughts

The passuk states ההר הטוב הזה והלבנון this good mountain and the tree of Levanon. Rashi explains “this good mountain” refers to Yerushalayim, and “the Levanon,” both Onkelos and Rashi explain, refers to the Bais HaMikdash. What does it mean that Yerushalayim... Read More

The passuk states that the Tzidonim called Chermon, “Searyone.” The Targum Yonasan Ben Uziel translates this as “the mountain which had fruits that would fall down” due to their abundance. The trees had so much fruit that they couldn’t hold their load,... Read More

The passuk states והורשתם את הארץ וישבתם בה… לרשת אותה which the Ramban explains is the mitzvas asei of ישוב הארץ, settling in Eretz Yisrael. Hashem told Moshe that Bnei Yisrael should not think about going to conquer the land of Shinur,... Read More

In the haftorah on Tisha B’av it states, “מי האיש החכם ויבן את זאת…על מה אבדה הארץ who is the wise person that can understand this… for what reason was the land destroyed?” The Gemara explains the wise people and the prophets... Read More

The pessukim mention a few things which Bilam tried to do to curse Yisrael, yet he was not successful. Balak requested that Bilam should curse Yisrael to which Bilam responded, “return to your land כי מאן ה’ לתתי להלך עמכם” which Onkelos... Read More

The passuk states, “עשה לך שרף ושים אותו על נס והיה כל הנשוך וראה אותו וחי, make for yourself a serpent and place it on the pole, and it will be whoever was bitten will see it and live.” The Mishnah asks,... Read More