Personal Parsha Prose
Weekly thoughts on the Parsha.
Episodes
11 episodes
Parshas Netzavim-Vayelech: Here
Why are we here? This is not the philosophical, existential question…This is the question of galus. Jews have been asking themselves this question in one form or another throughout this exceedingly long galus. Sometimes we ask this question wit...
Parshas Ki Tavo: A Stated Relationship
Elul… It’s a complicated time of year. Here in the 21st century, most of us are very busy getting ready or jumping into the start of the school year – whether with our families or as teachers. Cities and communities around the northern hemisphe...
Parshas Shoftim: Don’t Jump to Conclusions
Parshas Shoftim: Don’t Jump to Conclusions Dedicated to a refuah shelaima for Yehudis bas Leah, Yona Yaakova bas Mina, Chana Zelda bat Gittel Yita, Mindel Batsheva bat Nechama Zelda, Chaya Sarah bas Esther Leah, Moshe Aaron be...
Parshas Ra’eh: The Deeper Purpose of Shamor
Due to the world’s most awesome mother-son roadtrip, I was unable to write a new Dvar Torah. The Dvar Torah below was originally posted on August 6, 2021. Parshas Re’eh: The Deeper Purpose of Shamor Dedicate...
Parshas Eikev: Don’t Keep It One Sided
This week’s parsha, Parshas Eikev, like much of Devarim, presents Moshe telling Bnei Yisrael about the connection of their actions and their settlement in the Promised Land. Indeed, it opens: “If you will heed these ordinances and safeguard and...
Parsha Va’Eschanan: It’s What You Don’t See
Parshas Va’Eschanan is always read on Shabbas Nachamu, the Shabbas after Tisha B’Av. It is the parsha that extols the connection of Hashem and Bnei Yisrael, which should reflect the deeper experience of Tisha B’Av. This is the time when we see ...
Parshas Devarim: Fire and Cloud
Sefer Devarim begins with Moshe’s recounting of the journey of Bnei Yisrael after they received the Torah. It is interesting, however, that in the first perek of his recounting Moshe deliberates on two points: the creation of the system of judg...
Parshas Matos -Masai: Defiantly in Plain View
In this week’s Parsha, Parshas Matos Masai, the thirty-third chapter of Sefer Vayikra provides a repetitively phrased detailing of the travelling of Bnei Yisrael. They traveled here. They travelled there. They travelled here. They travelled the...
Parshas Pinchas: Do You Stand Out
The immediate thought when one sees a title like “Do You Stand Out” for Parshas Pinchas is that it is an obvious grab at a Dvar Torah. The parsha opens with Hashem publicly commending Pinchas for standing up for His honor. Pinchas’ actions, as ...
Parshas Chukat Balak: Unseen But Very Present
Parshas Chukat Balak: Unseen But Very PresentDedicated to a refuah shelaima for Chana Zelda bat Gittel Yita, Chaya Sarah bas Esther Leah, Moshe Aaron ben Necha Itta, Binyamin ben Simcha, and Yaakov ben Esther Malka. And L'ilui Nesh...
Parshas Korach: Overcoming and Elevating, a Lesson for Humans
Here is a question on Parshas Korach… The story of Korach begins like this: “Korach son of Yitzhar son of Kehat son of Levi took himself aside, together with Dathan and Aviram sons of Eli’av, and On son of Pelet, descendants of Reub...