Tag: Torah
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In Parshat Yitro, we encounter one of the most fundamental mitzvot in the Aseret HaDibrot: “Zachor et Yom HaShabbat l’kad’sho” – “Remember the Shabbat day to sanctify it.” The Torah commands us to work for six days and then rest on the seventh, “For in six days Hashem made the heavens and the earth, and…
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In Parshat Beshalach, Hashem tells Bnei Yisrael: “If you follow My ways and do what you’re supposed to do, I won’t strike you with the plagues I gave to Mitzrayim, because I am Hashem, your healer.” At first glance, this seems a little strange. Hashem, our healer? Healing happens after sickness. But here, Hashem is…
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We read in the Torah about Bnei Yisrael’s journey out of Mitzrayim, and honestly, it’s frustrating to watch. Hashem saves them from slavery with incredible miracles—the ten plagues, the splitting of the sea—and what happens? The next moment, they’re panicking. “We’re trapped! The Egyptians are coming! We’re all going to die!” So Hashem splits the…
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In this week’s parsha, Bnei Yisrael’s suffering in Mitzrayim intensifies after Moshe’s initial approach to Paroah. The Torah describes their inability to listen to Moshe because of “kotzer ruach” (shortness of spirit) and “avodah kasha” (hard labor) (Shemot 6:9). Yet this suffering was not meaningless—it was an essential part of Hashem’s plan to prepare them…
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At the end of last week’s parsha, Moshe approaches Hashem, frustrated that not only did Pharaoh refuse to let Bnei Yisrael go, but the slavery intensified. Hashem reassures Moshe, saying, “Ata tireh”—you will see what I will do to Pharaoh. In this week’s parsha, Hashem delivers a transformative message to Bnei Yisrael: “I am Hashem, and I will take…
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Yaakov’s Unique Brachot: More Than Just Good Wishes This week’s parsha, Vayechi, is packed with powerful moments, and one of the most striking is Yaakov giving brachot to his children. But if you read through the brachot carefully, you might notice something surprising: they don’t all sound like blessings. When we think of giving a…
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Shalom (Peace) is one of Hashem’s names. We conclude our tefillah with a bracha for Shalom and the word Shalom is the final word of the powerful Birkat Kohanim. Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Levi says in Gemara Taanit Yerushalmi that the whole idea why the Chachamim Set up Eruvei Chatzeirot is for Darchei Shalom, to promote…
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The Three Stages of Life: A Divine Journey of Growth and Purpose Every challenge you’re facing, every challenge you’ve faced, every moment of joy and struggle, is part of Hashem’s master plan. Imagine a journey so carefully crafted that every step—even the painful ones—was designed to lead you toward unimaginable growth, fulfillment and pleasure. This…
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Why Do We Say Vidui on Erev Yom Kippur? Something about Erev Yom Kippur seems really out of place. Let me explain. Over Yom Kippur, we said vidui, the confession of sins, nine times. But what seems out of place is that one of those times is during Mincha before we eat our final meal…
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How many times have you overlooked your own brilliance because it’s simply become your “normal”? Most people don’t realize that the very things they do daily, without thought, could be extraordinary in someone else’s eyes. When I used to travel for my work with Ford dealerships, I’d visit Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories of Canada.…
