Weekly Parsha Thoughts

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

The pesukim say, “Bnei Yisroel came to Marah and they weren’t able to drink the water because it was bitter.  Therefore the place was called Marah.  Bnei Yisroel complained and Moshe davened to Hashem.  Hashem showed Moshe a stick, which he threw... Read More

The pesukim mention that Hashem struck the Mitzriyim with the makah of choshech, darkness. Rashi explains there were two stages to this makah. The first three days one Mitzri couldn’t see another Mitzri, as the passuk says “לא ראו איש את אחיו”.... Read More