Sunday
Jul182021
MAKING IT REAL
July 18, 2021Before the Messianic Era, there is a resurgence of prophecy. * Being authentic and real is the consolation for exile and the gateway to geula.
Entries in VaEs'chanan (10)
Friday
Aug162019
He alone and nothing else
A central theme in Parshas Vaeschanan is the commandment of Achdus Hashem — the absolute oneness of G-d. The primary sources on this essential topic, in-fact, one of the principles of the Jewish faith, are included within the parsha. First, there is the famous passuk of “You shall know this day and consider it in your heart, that Hashem, He is G-d, in the heavens above, and upon the earth below; there is none else.” Then, there is the even more famous pasuk of Shema Yisrael, declaring that “Hashem is our G-d, Hashem is One.”
Wednesday
Aug012018
SHABBOS PREPARATIONS WITH THE BAAL SHEM TOV
Presented for Shabbos Parshas VaEschanan, when we read the Aseres HaDibros
Wednesday
Jul252018
DON’T CEASE PRAYING
Moses pleads with G-d to be able to cross over the Jordan. Moses’ desire to be in the Land of Israel was so great that, according to our Sages, he devoted 515 prayers to get G-d to rescind His decree that Moses could not enter the land.
Tuesday
Aug012017
TAKE YOUR MITVZOS
Moshe’s greatest wish and desire was to be allowed to enter the Land of Israel, the Promised Land. G-d had sworn that He would not allow him to enter because he did not sanctify G-d’s name when told to speak to the rock to produce water for the Jewish people.
Monday
Aug152016
TWO AND TWO = T’FILLIN
The Mitzvah of wearing T’fillin is mentioned in the Torah four times; twice in the book of Exodus and twice in Deuteronomy. These four sections are written out and contained in the T’fillin. In the Hand T’fillin they are all written on one scroll, whereas in the Head T’fillin they are written on four separate scrolls and inserted into four separate compartments.
Thursday
Jul302015
NO MORE JEALOUSY
One of the most significant sections of this week’s parsha is Moses’ repetition of the Ten Commandments (more accurately, the Ten Statements) that were mentioned for the first time in the book of Exodus.
Thursday
Jul182013
HOLD ON TO BOTH “HEADS” OF THE ROPE
“You are holding on to both heads [ends] of the rope.” The rope is a metaphor for a connection. Moses wanted both connections: the connection he had to his people that engendered their atonement and survival, and the connection to the Land of Israel, because of its optimal level of Mitzvah observance, which is our rope and lifeline to G-d. G-d informed him, you can only have one end of the rope at the present moment.
Friday
Aug032012
G-D ACQUIRED FOR HIMSELF A MASTER
Since it is said of the Jewish people that “they are My slaves,” and since “One who acquires a slave has acquired for himself a master,” G-d must fulfill the will of His “master” (the Jewish people), and the will of the Jewish people is to get out of exile!
Thursday
Aug022012
KOSHER CHUTZPAH
We cannot, therefore, afford to be like the poor man who begs for salvation. According to the Midrash, G-d’s asking Moses to utilize his chutzpah was actually reserved for the present day and age.