Shemot
CategoryUnited Hebrew(s)
“Israel camped there, opposite the mountain” (Exodus 19:2). As one person, with one heart (Rashi). A few weeks ago, I was asked to write something about Rebbe Nachman’s teachings concerning shalom and Jewish unity. As you may recall, there was some sort of turmoil concerning internecine feuding in a city here in the Holy Land. … Continue Reading
RIP DOWN ALL HATRED!
In one of his lessons (LM II, 73), Rebbe Nachman points out a secret message concerning Tehilim (Psalms) and teshuvah (return to God) that is hidden in the first verse of Sefer Shemot (Book of Exodus). The letters of the words TeHiLIM and TeShUVaH are embedded within a reference to the Children of Israel who … Continue Reading
And Moshe Built the Mishkan
“Concerning the Parsha of Shekalim Moshe said to Hashem, ‘After my death I won’t be remembered.’ The Holy One, Blessed be He answered him, ‘By your life, the same way that you are standing now and giving the Parsha of Shekalim to Klal Yisroel and are counting and raising their heads, so too every year … Continue Reading
Dvar Torah for Parshat VaYakhel
Dvar Torah for Parshat VaYakhel Based on Likutey Moharan II, Lesson #25 In addition, it’s also good to make a prayer out of Torah. That is, when you study or hear a Torah lesson from a genuine tzaddik, turn it into a prayer ask. Plead with God about each point in the lesson: “When will … Continue Reading
Dvar Torah for Parshat Ki Tisa
Dvar Torah for Parshat Ki Tisa Based on Likutey Halakhot, Devarim HaYotzim Min HaChai 4:40, 51 “Do not cook a kid in its mother’s milk” (Exodus 34:26). There are many paradoxes in life and for good reason. The universe is built on a paradox of an Infinite Creator and a finite creation. The prohibition of … Continue Reading
Dvar Torah for Parshat Tetzaveh
Dvar Torah for Parshat Tetzaveh Based on Rabbi Nachman’s Wisdom #23 “Make sacred clothing for Aharon your brother, for honor and eminence” (Exodus 28:2). The Rebbe then said, “Happy is the one worthy of eating many chapters of Mishnah and afterward drinking a number of psalms, and clothing himself with some mitzvot” (emphasis added). Allow … Continue Reading
Midrashic Mnemonics
I know a lot of us like to find or make up positive and/or inspiring allusions in words and names we find in the Torah. So here are two from Midrash Tanchuma (Terumah #10). On the word MiZBeiaCh (altar): Mem is for Mechilah (forgiveness) Zayin is Zekhut (merit) Beit is for Berakhah (blessing) Chet is … Continue Reading





















