Weekly Parsha Thoughts

Emor

The passuk states לא יטמא בעל בעמיו. Onkelos translates “Do not become contaminated with a leader in his nation.” The Chizkuni explains that a kohen hedyot cannot contaminate himself to the kohen gadol who is great, only to his relatives. The Nesina...
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Acharei Mos-Kedoshim

Parshas Acharei Mos and Kedoshim discuss the aveiros of immoral relations. In Parshas Acharei Mos it states ותקא הארץ את יושביה and the land will throw up its dwellers. Onkelos translates ותקא as “empty out.” Also it states ולא תקיא הארץ אתכם…...
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Tazria-Metzora

The Gemara brings that leprosy could come for seven possible reasons. One reason mentioned is for having a צרת עין, for being stingy. This is derived from the passuk which states ובא אשר לו הבית and he will come, that which the...
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Vayakhel-Pekudei

The passuk states that the kiyor, water basin, and its base were built “במראות הצובאות.” What does this refer to? Rashi brings from Rebi Tanchuma: in Mitzrayim the Jewish women had mirrors which they used to decorate themselves for their husbands. The...
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Ki Sisa

The passuk states: Hashem says to Moshe ועתה הניחה לי… ואכלם and now “leave” Me… and I will destroy them. Similarly in Parshas Eikev it states הרף ממני ואשמידם “loosen up from Me” and I will destroy them. Onkelos translates both הניחה...
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Tetzaveh

The passuk states “And the sanctified clothes of Aharon shall be for his sons after him למשחה בהם” which Onkelos translates as “to make them great.” Also Onkelos translates שמן המשחה as “the oil of greatness.” What does “greatness” reflect? Rashi explains...
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