
In Parshat Vayelech, Hashem tells Moshe that after his death, Bnei Yisrael will turn to other gods, and as a result, He will “hide His face.” At first glance, it sounds like a punishment. But really, it’s a natural consequence. Hashem is everywhere. In every blade of grass, in every detail of the human body,…

The Gemara asks: Where is Esther hinted to in the Torah? Chazal point to this week’s parsha:“וְאָנֹכִי הַסְתֵּר אַסְתִּיר פָּנַי בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא” — “I will surely hide My face on that day.”The words haster astir allude to Esther, and to Hashem’s hiddenness in the Purim story. The Ramban explains: hester panim means Hashem withdraws His…