Weekly Parsha Thoughts

Shoftim

The passuk states תמים תהיה עם ה’ אלוקיך. What does the wordתמים  mean? What lesson is the passuk teaching? The Gemara brings Rabbah bar Bar Chana said: one cannot ask magicians or stargazers to tell you the future because it states תמים...
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Re’eh

The passuk states: לא תאמץ את לבבך ולא תקפץ את ידך מאחיך האביון “do not strengthen your heart and do not close your hand from your brother who is in desperate need.” The Maharam Chagiv explains this is the lav of holding...
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Eikev

The parsha speaks about the praises of Eretz Yisrael and contrasts it with Mitzrayim. Eretz Yisrael is watered with rain from the heavens whereas in the land of Mitzrayim you have to bring the water by foot to the fields, similar to...
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Va’eschanan

In Parshas Eikev the passuk mentions the mitzva of being דבוק in Hashem, as it states ובו תדבק “and in Him you shall cling.” Rashi is bothered: How can a person become connected to Hashem, Hashem is described as אש אכלה הוא,...
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Tisha B’Av

The Gemara brings: the first Beis HaMikdash had five attributes over the second Beis HaMikdash. The first Beis HaMikdash had the Aron, Kapores, and Keruvim, which are counted as one, the fire, the Shechina, ruach haKodesh, and the Urim V’tumim. The second...
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Masei

This year the eighth day of Pesach fell out on Shabbos. For Bnei Eretz Yisrael it was Isru Chag, and the leining was Parshas Acharei Mos. However, for Bnei Chutz La’aretz, since it was Yom Tov, the leining was כל הבכור. Only...
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