Tag: Rambam
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In this week’s parsha, Nitzavim, the Torah tells us: “And you shall return to Hashem your God, and listen to His voice… with all your heart and all your soul” (Devarim 30:2). Notice — the pasuk doesn’t say “return from sin”, but “return to Hashem.” Teshuva is not about running away from suffering or punishment.…
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Standing Together in Unity Parshat Nitzavim opens: “Atem nitzavim hayom kulchem” — you are all standing here today. Every Jew, from leaders to water carriers, stood together before Hashem. Chazal teach this is arvut — kol Yisrael areivim zeh bazeh — we are responsible for one another. That unity is not only the opening of…
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In this week’s parsha, we learn something surprising:When Bnei Yisrael enter Eretz Yisrael, Hashem tells them that tzara’at will appear on the walls of their new houses. It sounds like a punishment—but Chazal reveal a deeper story. Rashi, quoting Vayikra Rabbah, explains that when the local nations heard Bnei Yisrael were coming, they hid their…
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In Parshat Yitro, just before Matan Torah, the Torah describes Bnei Yisrael’s encampment at Har Sinai: “וַיִּחַן שָׁם יִשְׂרָאֵל נֶגֶד הָהָר” – “And Israel encamped there opposite the mountain.” (Shemot 19:2) Rashi famously points out the unusual singular form of “וַיִּחַן” (they encamped), rather than the expected plural, explaining that Bnei Yisrael were united “כְּאִישׁ…
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This week’s parsha, Vayeitzei, highlights the power of tefillah—prayer—and how its effectiveness is proportionate to the depth of emotion we bring to it. Hashem doesn’t want only our words or intellect; He desires our hearts, souls, and entire being in our connection with Him. This idea comes to life in the contrasting stories of Leah…
