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PARSHAS BEHAR Our parsha opens with the laws of shmita - the sabbatical year when the land had to rest untended and unguarded. The passage that proclaims these commandments also states that these laws were enunciated at Mt. Sinai. Is it not understood that all our laws were proclaimed at Sinai? Why then, the special emphasis on Sinai now? Read more >>
PARSHAS EMOR SPIRITUAL ELEVATION THROUGH MITZVOT In the opening verse of our parsha, G-d instructs Moshe, “Say to the Kohanim...” (Leviticus, 21:1), and puzzlingly, in that very same verse, G-d once again repeats the command, “Say to them...” Read more >>
PARSHAS KEDOSHIM This week`s Torah portion opens with a call to all the Jewish people to sanctify themselves and be holy. Read more >>
PESACH THOUGHTS TO ACCOMPANY YOU THROUGHOUT THE YEAR If there is any one holiday that is of special significance to our existence and gives us viable solutions to every problem it is Passover. Just consider: Passover comes to remind us that it is the family that is the center of Jewish life. The Seder is celebrated, not in the synagogue, but in the home. And it is not a teacher who must impart our heritage to the child, but the father who must answer his questions. Read more >>
COUNTDOWN TO PESACH TIDBITS FOR YOUR SEDER TABLE Read more >>
PARSHAS METZORA THE HEALING EFFECTS OF THE TORAH Read more >>
PARSHAS TAZRIA SHABBOS HACHODESH This Shabbos, we bless the new month of Nissan, which ushers in the great Yom Tov of Pesach. From this moment on, our preparations take on great intensity as we ready ourselves for our anniversary as a nation, and celebrate our exodus from bondage to freedom. Rosh Chodesh, the New Month, falls on Sunday, April 6th, and the first night of Pesach is on Motzei Shabbos (Saturday night), April 19, making this year’s Seder preparations more intricate. For a detailed study and a model Seder, join Rabbi Yisrael on Thursday evening April 10 at 7:15PM Read more >>
PARSHAS SHEMINI CONNECTING WITH G-D Very often, we hear people express a secret wish: If only I could download a miracle; if only G-d could help me; if only I could connect with Him. Well, the truth is that we can connect with the Almighty. As a matter of fact, He is waiting for us to call. As for His miracles - they are all about us if only we had the vision to see them. Read more >>
PARSHAS TZAV PURIM THOUGHTS This week’s parsha, Tzav, focuses on Korbonot - Sacrifices. The word “korbon” - sacrifice, is derived from the word “karov” - to come close, teaching us that in order to come close, in order to really build a relationship, commitment and sacrifice are prerequisites. Read more >>
PARSHAS VAYIKRA SHABBOS ZACHOR The Shabbos preceding the holiday of Purim is called Shabbos Zachor, which means ”The Shabbos of Remembering.” On this Shabbos we take out a second Torah scroll and read the Maftir from the Book of Deuteronomy (chapters 25:17-19) in which it says, “Remember what the nation of Amalek did to you on the way when you were leaving Egypt...They attacked all the weaklings at your rear when you were faint and exhausted and they did not fear G-d...” Read more >>
PARSHAS PEKUDEI There are many levels through which we can perceive the constrution of the Tabernacle. In a sense, we are all sanctuaries in microcosm, for within each of us there is a spark of G-d. Read more >>
PARSHAS VAYAKHEL SHABBOS MEVORCHIM We bless the new month of Adar Beis, the most joyous month of our Jewish calendar year. It is in this month that we celebrate the festival of Purim. “When Adar commences, joy increases” is the teaching of our sages. We read the Megillah on Thursday evening, March 20 and Friday morning, March 21. Read more >>
PARSHAS KI TISSA MEASURE YOUR WORTH Sometimes we wonder whether we puny individuals can make an impact on world events, whether we can make a real difference in G-d`s universe. Most of us would give a negative response to such questions. Parshas Ki Tissa however, comes to challenge that view. Read more >>
PARSHAS TETZAVE This week`s parsha, Titsaveh, opens with the words, "V`Atoh titsaveh..," - "And you shall command..." The words "and you" are puzzling. Read more >>
PARSHAS TERUMAH BUILD YOUR OWN SANCTUARY "They shall make Me a sanctuary so that I may dwell in their midst.." (Exodus 25:8) are the awesome words in this parsha. Read more >>
PARSHAS MISHPATIM SHABBOS MEVORCHIM- BLESSING THE NEW MONTH This Shabbos we bless the new month of Adar I. Our sages teach that, with the advent of the month of Adar, our happiness and joy increases. This is a time of mazal and blessing, culminating with the most joyous of celebrations - the holiday of Purim will be celebrated in Adar II on March 20, Thursday evening with the reading of the Megillah and Friday March 21. Read more >>
PARSHAS YITHRO In this week`s portion, the Ten Commandments are proclaimed. If we know how to probe and study them, we will discover that they encompass the entire Torah. Read more >>
PARSHAS BESHALLACH TU B’SHEVAT This month, Tuesday, January 22nd we celebrate Tu B’Shevat - the New Year of Trees. It is at this season that most of the trees in Eretz Yisrael begin to bud. We rejoice in the rebuilding of the land of Israel by planting trees. It is customary for Jews who live in the diaspora to eat fruit grown in Israel as a means of identifying with the Holy Land. It is also a tradition to eat a fruit that has not been previously eaten during the year so that we may recite the blessing of “shehechayanu. May this Tu B’Shevat bring true blessing for all of us. Read more >>
PARSHAS BO At the beginning of the parsha, we are told that one of HaShem`s goals in the Exodus from Egypt was to insure that we tell that story to our progeny. Read more >>
PARSHAS VA`ERA SHABBOS MEVARCHIM This Shabbos we bless the upcoming month of Shevat which begins on Tuesday, January 8. The highlight of this month is the celebration of Tu B`Shevat, the New Year of Trees. It is on this day that most trees in the land of Israel begin to bud. The great kabbalistic sage, the Ari HaKadosh - the saintly Ari, decreed that on Tu B`Shevat we should eat fruit as a symbol of our identification with this Festival of Trees. On this day it is a special mitzvah to partake of fruit from Israel and of fruit that we have not as yet tasted during the course of the year, so that we may recite the blessing of Shehechayanu. This year, Tu`B`Shevat falls on Tuesday, January 22. Read more >>
PARSHAS SHEMOS In this week`s Parsha, we meet Moshe Rabbenu - Moses our Teacher, for the very first time. Read more >>
PARSHAS VAYECHI AN ETERNAL BLESSING FROM OUR FATHER JACOB In this week’s parsha, as we come to the conclusion of The Book of Genesis, our father Jacob dies and we bid farewell to the Patriarchs and the Matriarchs. Next week, with the Book of Exodus, we commence the story of the Jewish people. Read more >>
PARSHAS VAYIGASH WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19 - FAST OF TEVES On the tenth of Teves, Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylonia, surrounded and laid siege to the holy city of Jerusalem. For a year and a half, he terrorized its citizens until the city fell and he took our ancestors into exile and destroyed our Holy Temple. Read more >>
PARSHAS MIKETZ In this week`s parsha we read the dramatic story of Joseph who is now Viceroy of Egypt meeting his brethren after 22 years of separation. Read more >>
PARSHAS VAYESHEV The Historical Background of Chanukah: Antiochus of Syria ruled over the land of Israel during the period following the death of Alexander the Great, He set out to Hellenize the Jews by forbidding Torah observances and forcing upon them the idolatrous practices of pagan Greece. Antiochus was backed by a force of thousands of soldiers. Read more >>
PARSHAS VAYISHLACH THE STRUGGLE BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL In this week’s parsha we discover two diametrically opposed worlds - the weltanshauung of Jacob and Esau representing the struggle between good and evil, light and darkness. Read more >>
PARSHAS VAYETZE THE LADDER OF THE JEW In this week’s parsha we learn about the dream that Jacob had on the Temple Mount. In that dream, he saw a ladder implanted in the ground that reached toward Heaven. There are many lessons that we can derive from this. Read more >>
PARSHAS TOLDOS SHABBOS M`VORACHIM This Shabbath we bless the month of Kislev in which we celebrate the joyous miraculous festival of Chanuka. Rosh Codesh the new month commences on Sunday, November 11th. May it be a month of blessing for all of us, may we behold G-d`s miraculous and salvation. Read more >>
PARSHAS CHAYE SARAH SHIDUCH GUIDELINES Read more >>
PARSHAS VAYERA CHARACTER TRAITS THAT DISTINGUISH A JEW Our sages teach us that there are certain traits that distinguish us which indicate that we are descendants of the Patriarch Abraham. One of those traits is chesed - loving kindness. In addition to chesed, there is yet another word that we associate with loving-kindness, and that is rachamim. But there is no redundancy in Hebrew and each of these terms has its own distinct nuance and we discover it in this parsha. Read more >>
PARSHAS LECH LECHA THE MEANING OF A TEST In this week’s parsha, the history of the Jewish people commences. Until now, in the portions of Genesis and Noah, we studied about the creation of the world and the development of mankind, but now we meet the first Jewish couple - our grandparents, Abraham and Sarah. Read more >>
PARSHAS NOAH WINDOWS AND JEWELS Read more >>
A WEEK OF FESTIVALS This concluding week of Succoth is rich in holiday celebrations. Wednesday, October 3^rd is Hoshanna Rabbah, when we once again appeal to G-d to inscribe us for a good year. We take five arava - willow branches, like those we use for the four species and bind them together. In the course of the services, we beat them on the ground five times. Read more >>
FESTIVAL OF SUCCOTH Each individual on his or her level must find a way to grow and develop his or her unique spiritual potential. Read more >>
LAST MINUTE YOM KIPPUR CHECK ARE YOU PREPARED? Read more >>
ROSH HASHANA REMINDER MAKING ROSH HASHANAH MORE MEANINGFUL Read more >>
PARSHAS NITZAVIM-VAYELECH On the Shabbos preceding Rosh Hashana, Moshe Rabbenu gathered the entire Jewish people and sealed a collective covenant with them, teaching us that we have mutual responsibility -- that we are intertwined, and that we are accountable for the conduct of our fellow man. Read more >>
PARSHAS KI THAVO "G-D’S GUIDING HAND IN OUR HISTORY" In this week’s parsha, the tochachos - the curses, the terrible calamities that will befall us throughout our history are enumerated. There is no parallel to this in the theological or historical writings of any other people, and this, in and of itself, is proof of the Torah’s Divine authorship and the guiding hand of G-d in our history. Read more >>
PARSHAS KI TETZE ARE YOU PREPARED? Read more >>
PARSHAS SHOFTIM HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK We are now in the month of Elul, which is an acronym for “Ani L’Dodi V’Dodi Li” - “I am my beloved’s and My beloved is Mine” symbolizing the relationship between G-d and the Jewish people, built upon a covenant of eternal love. Read more >>
PARSHAS RE`EH SHABBOS MEVORCHIM This Shabbos is called Shabbos Mevorchim as we bless the new month of Elul. Read more >>
PARSHAS EKEV In this week`s parsha, Moshe Rabbenu continues his farewell address, in which he bequeaths to the Jewish people, a formula for survival Read more >>
PARSHAS V`ESCHANAN SHABBOS NACHAMU - SABBATH OF CONSOLATION The Shabbos following Tisha B’Av is called Shabbos Nachamu - the Sabbath of Consolation. It draws its name from the haftorah which commences with the immortal words, “Comfort ye, comfort ye, My people” (Isaiah). Read more >>
PARSHAS DEVARIM SHABBOS CHAZON The Shabbos preceding Tisha B’Av is called Shabbos Chazon. It draws it’s name from the first word of the haftorah which contains Isaiah’s rebuke of the Jewish people: “I raised and nurtured children, but they betrayed me. An ox knows its keeper, a donkey the hand that feeds it, but Israel does not know - My people do not perceive.” But the prophet also shows us the way to return to G-d and to start a new life: “Cleanse yourselves, purify yourselves...desist from doing evil...learn to do good, seek justice....” Read more >>
PARSHAS MATTOS SHABBOS MEVORCHIM Read more >>
PARSHAS PINCHAS Tisha B’Av We are now in the "three weeks period" which are days of semi-mourning commemorating the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem -- leading to the Nine Days and the destruction of the Holy Temple on Tisha B’Av. Tisha B’Av is the most tragic of days in the Jewish calendar year, Throughout the centuries, all the calamities that befell us occurred on Tisha B’Av. Read more >>
PARSHAS BALAK This coming Tuesday brings a three week period of mourning for our people. Read more >>
PARSHAS CHUKAS IT’S ALL A MATTER OF FAITH Parshas Chukas opens with the enigmatic words, “This is the decree of the Torah... and take unto you a Parah Adumah - a Red Heifer...” (Numbers 19:1) Read more >>
PARSHAT KORACH SACRIFICE FOR THE SAKE OF PEACE Korach, a cousin of Moses from the distinguished Tribe of Levites, falls prey to the three sins which our sages teach are the source of all destructive character traits: jealousy, lust, and the thirst for honor. In his obsession, he foments rebellion and tries to unseat Moses and Aaron. Read more >>
PARSHAT SHELACH PEOPLE SEE AND HEAR ONLY WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE AND HEAR Very often, we experience what we believe to be the punitive hand of G-d, but the Almighty is our Heavenly Father who created us and loves us with infinite love, and whose mercies and compassion always encompass us, so His punishment is not affliction, but correction. Read more >>
PARSHAS BE`HAALOSCHA ELEVATE YOUR LIFE In this week’s parsha (Numbers 8:1), Aaron is commanded to kindle the lights of the menorah, but a most unusual word is used in this connection - “be`haaloscha” which, literally translated means “when you elevate” rather than “K’sheh tadlik” - “When you light.” Read more >>
PARSHAS NASO THE THREE-FOLD PRIESTLY BLESSING "May G-d bless thee and keep thee" "May He cause His countenance to shine upon thee ad be gracious unto thee" "May HaShem lift His Face unto thee and grant thee peace" (Deut. 6: 23-26) Read more >>
PARSHAS BAMIDBAR SHAVUOS Tuesday evening, May 22 through Thursday evening, May 24 What is Shavuot? Shavuot is called the Festival of Weeks. We count the Omer from Pesach until Shavuot just as a bride counts the days to her wedding. We light candles on Tuasday, evening May 22nd, 7:54PM and on Wednesday evening, May 23rd, 9:03PM. To read more about Shavous go to our web site www.hineni.org Read more >>
PARSHAS B`HAR-B`CHUKOSAI "IT`S UP TO US" This week we complete the Book of Leviticus which ends with a somber warning. G-d admonishes us to beware of the terrible fate that will befall us if we abandon His Covenant. There is one word that stands out blatantly in the parsha, and is repeated again and again, and that is “keri”, an attitude that implies casualness - coincidence. Read more >>
PARSHAS EMOR Highlight of the Week - PESACH SHENI - Never too late for a second chance The Torah relates that many people came to Moshe complaining that, since they were ritually impure, they were unable to bring the Pesach sacrifice. G-d told Moshe that those who were unable to do so, could bring the offering one month later, on the 14th of Iyar, Wednesday, May 2nd. It is customary to eat matzoh on this day as a reminder of that special event. While we eat the matzoh, we should reflect on this wondrous holiday that G-d has granted us. It is never too late to embark on a new life and to correct missed opportunities of the past. Truly, a great gift! Read more >>
Parshas Tazria-Metzora In this week`s parsha, the Torah reveals to us the power that is to be found in speech. Read more >>
PARSHAS SHEMINI PIRKEI AVOS - ETHICS OF THE FATHERS From the first Sabbath after Pesach and throughout the summer months, until the Sabbath before Shavuos, we study one of the six chapters of “Ethics of the Fathers.” Read more >>
PESACH THOUGHTS TO ACCOMPANY YOU THROUGHOUT THE YEAR If there is any one holiday that is of special significance to our existence and gives us viable solutions to every problem it is Passover. Just consider: Passover comes to remind us that it is the family that is the center of Jewish life. The Seder is celebrated, not in the synagogue, but in the home. And it is not a teacher who must impart our heritage to the child, but the father who must answer his questions. Read more >>
PARSHAS TZAV HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK SHABBOS HAGADOL The Shabbos before Pesach is called Shabbos Hagadol Read more >>
Parshas Vayikra WHAT YOU DO IMPACTS ON YOU AND YOUR PEOPLE This week, we begin the third book of the Five Books of Moses, The Book of Leviticus. While the Book of Exodus focused on our redemption from Egypt, and concludes with the construction of the Tabernacle, the Book of Leviticus commences with the service that is to be performed there: the sacrificial offerings, and the Laws pertaining to the Kohanim. Read more >>
Vayakhel - Pekudei This Shabbos has three special designations: *Shabbos Chazak, Shabbos HaChodesh, and Shabbos Mevorchim* Read more >>
PARSHAS KI TISSA HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK - SHABBOS PARSHAS PARA No sooner does the joyous festival of Purim pass, than preparations for Passover commence. In less than 30 days, we will be sitting around our seder tables. Read more >>
PARSHAS TETZAV PURIM THOUGHTS This week’s parsha, Tetzav, focuses on Korbonot - Sacrifices. The word “korbon” - sacrifice, is derived from the word “karov” - to come close, teaching us that in order to come close, in order to really build a relationship, commitment and sacrifice are prerequisites. Read more >>
PARSHAS TERUMAH PRESERVING THE SANCTITY This week’s parsha comes on the heels of the parshiot Yithro and Mishpatim that deal with the giving of the Torah and its many laws. But how are we to encapsulate that high level of sanctity which we experienced at Sinai? How are we to preserve the Word of G-d in our hearts? “V’osu lee mikdash” - “Make for Me a sanctuary and I shall dwell in your midst” (Exodus 25:8) is the proclamation of G-d. Read more >>
PARSHAS MISHPATIM This Shabbos is called Shabbos Shekalim because we read the Haftorah from Parshas Ki Sisa (Exodus, 30:10) Read more >>
Parshas Yithro In this week`s portion, the Ten Commandments are proclaimed. If we know how to probe and study them, we will discover that they encompass the entire Torah. Read more >>
PARSHAS BESHALLACH TU B’SHEVAT This coming Shabbos we celebrate Tu B’Shevat - the New Year of Trees. It is at this season that most of the trees in Eretz Yisrael begin to bud. We rejoice in the rebuilding of the land of Israel by planting trees. It is customary for Jews who live in the diaspora to eat fruit grown in Israel as a means of identifying with the Holy Land. It is also a tradition to eat a fruit that has not been previously eaten during the year so that we may recite the blessing of “shehechayanu. May this Tu B’Shevat bring true blessing for all of us. Read more >>
PARSHAS BO THE GIFT OF TIME In this week’s parsha, we find the first mitzva that G-d gave us as a nation. This month shall be for you the beginning of months...?(Exodus, 12:2). With that proclamation, HaShem endowed us with the greatest of all gifts - time. Read more >>
PARSHAS VA`ERA It often happens that we find ourselves in situations in which we are called upon to extend comfort and encouragement to people who are in distress, who have lost all hope and feel they can no longer go on. Read more >>
PARSHAS SHEMOS This week, we begin the second Book of the Torah -- Exodus which recounts the birth of our Jewish nation. SHABBOS M`VORCHIM SHEVAT This Shabbos we bless the New Month of Shevat, in which we celebrate the holiday of Tu B`Shevat - the New Year of the Trees when we pray to G-d that He bless all the trees and all the fruit of the earth. Read more >>
Parshas Vayechi NOT WHEN, BUT HOW MESSIAH WILL COME Since belief in the coming of messiah is a test of faith, we can readily appreciate why G-d would not want Jacob to disclose this information. Read more >>
PARSHAS VAYIGASH SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31- FAST OF TEVES On the tenth of Teves, Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylonia, surrounded and laid siege to the holy city of Jerusalem. For a year and a half, he terrorized its citizens until the city fell and he took our ancestors into exile and destroyed our holy Temple. Read more >>
PARSHAS MIKETZ In this week`s parsha we read the dramatic story of Joseph who is now Viceroy of Egypt meeting his brethren after 22 years of separation. Read more >>
PARSHAS VAYESHEV Be sure to light your menorah before kindling the Sabbath lights SHABBOS CHANUKAH The Historical Background of Chanukah:** Antiochus of Syria ruled over the land of Israel during the period following the death of Alexander the Great, He set out to Hellenize the Jews by forbidding Torah observances and forcing upon them the idolatrous practices of pagan Greece. Antiochus was backed by a force of thousands of soldiers. Read more >>
Parshas Vayishlach To many people, the events that we read about in the Torah are just charming Bible stories., but that is the farthest thing from the truth. Read more >>
PARSHAS VAYETZE In this week`s parsha we discover how we might best develop our spiritual potential and find more meaning in our lives. Read more >>
Parshas Toldos In this week`s portion, Toldos, we find that when Esau was born, he emerged from the womb "admoni" red (Gen: 25:25). It was only later on however, when he was full grown and demanded of his brother Jacob, "Pour into me now some of that red, red stuff", that he was called "Edom" - Red. (Gen: 25:30) Read more >>
PARSHAS CHAYE SARAH SHABBOS MEVORCHIM This coming Shabbos we bless the New Month of Kislev which commences on Wednesday, November 22. The month of Kislev has always been associated with much joy and happiness, for it is in that month that we celebrate the festive Holiday of Lights -- Chanukah. Chanukah begins on Friday night, December 15. The word Kislev has many meanings, and one of them is “to give charity with a full heart”, teaching us that the best way to realize the joy of our holidays is to share our blessings with others. Read more >>
PARSHAS VAYERA "Vayera elav HaShem ..." And G-d appeared unto him (Genesis 18:1) are the opening words of this week`s parsha. Interestingly enough, at no time does the Torah identify to whom G-d appeared, and yet we know that HaShem came to visit our father Abraham who was recovering from his circumcision. Read more >>
PARSHAS LECH LECHA This week`s parsha commences with the call of G-d to Abraham to depart from his country, from his birthplace, and go forth to the land that G-d would show him (Genesis, 12:1). Read more >>
Parshas Noach In the Torah we find that G-d commanded the construction of two edifices - Noah`s Ark, and centuries later, as our forefathers made their way to the Promised Land, the Holy Tabernacle. Read more >>
PARSHAS BERESHIS SHABBOS MEVORCHIM This Shabbos we bless the New Month of Cheshvan. Rosh Chodesh is celebrated on Sunday October 22 and Monday October 23. Read more >>
A WEEK OF FESTIVALS This concluding week of Succoth is rich in holiday celebrations. Friday, October 13 is Hoshanna Rabbah, when we once again appeal to G-d to inscribe us for a good year. We take five arava - willow branches, like those we use for the four species and bind them together. In the course of the services, we beat them on the ground five times. Read more >>
FIRST SHABBOS AFTER YOM KIPPUR - FESTIVAL OF SUCCOTH Each individual on his or her level must find a way to grow and develop his or her unique spiritual potential.