Standing and Going by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The parshiyos of Nitzavim and Vayeilech, which are joined this year, present an intriguing point for discussion based on their translation. “Nitzavim” means “Standing,” while “Vayeilech” means “He went” (from the root that refers to “going”). Nitzavim is about the way Moshe spoke to the great assembly of more »
“I Have Arrived!” by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The Jewish farmer arrived at the Beis Hamikdash with his Bikurim, his first fruits. He had waited for a very long time for this produce. On a personal level, he had spent months nurturing the trees, as well as had months of patience. On a national level, he more »
Remembering… by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine At the conclusion of the Parsha, we are told of a special mitzvah: Remember what Amalek did to you when you left Mitzrayim. As you left Mitzrayim proudly, hoping to bring a message of hope and freedom to humanity, Amalek attacked and tried to kill you. They expressed their jealousy more »
The Gift of Shema by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine When the Jewish people were ready to enter battle, a specially-appointed kohein would speak to the people. He would say, “Shema Yisroel-Listen Jews: We are ready to go into battle, and you must not fear. If there is anyone who is unworthy because of his sins, let more »
Do You Glow? by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The fifth of the “Ten Commandments” is to honor one’s parents. It is a mitzvah that brings to the fore an unlikely hero: Esav. The Zohar tells us that there was no one in the world who honored a parent the way Esav did. This gave him the more »
Reconciliation Walk by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The Jewish world is plunged each year into a three week season of mourning, occurring during the summer months, and preceding the High Holy Days. Concluding with Tishah B’Av, the day on which both the first and second Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed, these days are days of introspection more »
The Mitzvah of Ambiance and Attitude by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The mitzvah of Hakheil was that the Jewish people should gather every seventh year and listen to words of Torah read by the king. The Torah states: “Gather the people- men, women, and children- so they will hear and learn…” The Talmud wonders why the more »
Escaping the Phantoms by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The Torah promises tremendous blessing for the Jewish people when they observe the mitzvos. “Blessed shall you be in the city; blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall you be when you come in; blessed shall you be when you go out.” As you read the more »
When the chips are down by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Two of the most fascinating mitzvos in the Torah are the mitzvos of charity and loaning money without charging interest. Sometimes it is challenging to give up one’s own money to another person. “I too need MY money,” one might say. Even when considering a loan, more »
Do You Know You? by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The mitzvah of Eglah Arufa is well known. If a person was found killed outside of the city, the sages must come and, with great gravity, perform a ritual acknowledging the loss. They must declare that it was not due to their negligence that the person was more »