by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Vayikra-G-d’s Secret Parshas Vayikra describes the system of sacrificial offerings, including the offerings of atonement. The Torah describes how a person may sometimes fail in his service of G-d and how he can rise up once again to restore his relationship. There are many lessons to be learned from the mitzvah more »
By Rabbi Mordechai Rhine This week’s Parsha discusses the Korbanos/ offerings which people would bring in the time of the Beis Hamikdash. Since the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash these offerings are not available to us as a means of connecting with Hashem. Instead, we are told, it is through prayer that a person can more »
Every generation has its special people. In Egypt two such people were called Shifra and Puah. Shifra and Puah were not their real names. Shifra’s real name was Yocheved, and would later give birth to Moshe. Puah was her daughter, known to us by her real name, Miriam. But as the midwives of the Jewish more »
Rabbi Mordechai Rhine ~ www.teach613.org Bireishis / Genesis Chapter 18, ArtScroll Chumash Pages 78-85 What was Avraham doing outside, “in the heat of the day”? A) He was waiting for a bus B) He was hoping for guests C) He was waiting for an ambulance D) He was hoping for Lot to come more »
Rabbi Mordechai Rhine ~ www.teach613.org Bireishis / Genesis Chapter 19, ArtScroll Chumash Pages 84-91 Who hosts the angels when they get to Sedom? What does he serve them? Why? (verses 1-3, commentary to verse 3) What did the people of Sedom want Lot to do to the guests? Why? (verse 5, more »
Rabbi Mordechai Rhine ~ www.teach613.org Bireishis / Genesis Chapter 20, ArtScroll Chumash Pages 90-95 Give two reasons that caused Avraham to relocate from his location near Sedom. (commentary introducing Chapter 20) How was Avraham related to Sarah? What did he claim? (verse 2) What did Avimelech do? (verse 2) more »
Rabbi Mordechai Rhine ~ www.teach613.org Bireishis / Genesis Chapter 21, ArtScroll Chumash Pages 94-99 How old was Avraham when Yitzchok was born? (verse 5) What did Sorah see in Yishmoel that turned her off? (verse 9, with commentary pg 97) Did Avraham want to listen to Sorah’s request? Why did he? more »
Rabbi Mordechai Rhine ~ www.teach613.org Bireishis / Genesis Chapter 22, ArtScroll Chumash Pages 100-105 What did Hashem command Avraham to do? (verse 2 with commentary) Who did Avraham take with him, besides Yitzchak? (commentary to verse 3) What did the Angel tell Avraham? (verse 12) What did Avraham sacrifice instead more »
Moshe is frustrated. Hashem told him to go to Pharoh and demand the release of the Jewish People. Moshe did so, and expected that the terrible slavery would abate as a result. Instead, Paroh increased the workload of the Jews. At the conclusion of last week’s portion Moshe turns to Hashem in frustration. “Why have You more »
Compulsive Greatness by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine One of the great enigmas in the story of the Exodus is Pharoh’s behavior. Each time a plague hits, Pharoh promises to release the Jews. Each time a plague ends and the threat is no longer imminent, Pharoh reverts to his position that the Jews must remain as slaves. more »