Torah.org
The original and still pre-eminent source for Torah learning on the Net!
Parsha Insights by Rabbi Yisroel Ciner on Parshas Noach
This week we read the parsha of Noach. Noach's generation was steeped in many egregious sins, with the lack of respect for others, manifested by chamas {thievery}, leading the way to the destruction of the world through the mabu...
Attention Required! | Cloudflare This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.
Parsha Halacha for the Shabbos Table by Joshua Kruger on Parashas Noach
In this week’s parsha, Hashem destroyed most of the people on Earth because they had become evil. The pasuk states וַתִּמָּלֵא הָאָרֶץ חָמָס , “the earth became full of robbery”. It’s important for us to respect other people’s property. This can sometimes be tricky. This weeks’ Dvar Torah is an interesting example...
Attention Required! | Cloudflare This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.
Legacy by Rabbi Naftali Reich on Parshas Noach
The parsha chronicles the continuation of the downward spiral of man's behavior as it evolved from the beginning of creation. We read of Kayin and Hevel, two brothers who could have lived in peace and unity, benefiting together from the beautiful world. But Kayin surrendered to jealousy and hatred and killed Hevel...
Attention Required! | Cloudflare This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.
Haftorah Commentary by Rabbi Dovid Siegel on Parshas Noach
Hashem blessed our generation with unprecedented affluence. Why do we, the lowliest of all generations deserve such blessing? This week’s Haftarah helps us understand the intended purpose of our wealth and its everlasting potential...
Attention Required! | Cloudflare This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.
Dvar Torah by Rabbi Label Lam on Parshas Noach
And HASHEM saw that the evil of man was great in the earth, and every imagination of his heart was only evil all the time. And HASHEM regretted that He had made man upon the earth, and He became grieved in His heart...
Attention Required! | Cloudflare This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.
Perceptions by Rabbi Pinchas Winston on Parshas Noach
RASHI LAST WEEK brought a disagreement about the basis of Noach’s name:
He named him Noach, saying, “This one will give us rest from our work and from the toil of our hands from the ground, which God has cursed.” (Bereishis 5:29)
This one will give us rest—yenachameinu. He will give us rest from the toil of our hands. Before Noach came they did not have plowshares, and he made for them.,,
Attention Required! | Cloudflare This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.
Rav Frand on Parshas Noach
The Gemara (Avodah Zarah 51a) interprets the term tzadik tamim that is used to describe Noach as tamim (perfect) in his ways and tzadik (righteous) in his activities. Rashi interprets the expression “tamim in his ways” as connoting “modest and humble of spirit” and the expression “tzadik in his activities” as connoting “without chumus” (violence/theft)...
Attention Required! | Cloudflare This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.
Ksav Sofer by Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein on Parshas Bereishis
At the end of some time, Kayin brought an offering to Hashem of the fruit of the ground.
Chazal tell us that Kayin poorly managed a good idea. Offering a korban to Hashem in gratitude for what the earth brought forth was a good idea; using inferior grade produce took the wind out of his sails...
Attention Required! | Cloudflare This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.
Legacy by Rabbi Naftali Reich on Parshas Bereishis
As we begin this Shabbos to start reading the Torah afresh, let us take note of the cycle we have just completed. We have come to the end of the Five Books Of The Torah, reading a Torah portion each week of the year. The process just culminated with the joyous holiday of Simchas Torah, when we demonstrated our love and devotion to the Torah with exuberant dancing...
Attention Required! | Cloudflare This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.
Drasha by Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky on Parshas Bereishis
What began as a good-will gesture turned terribly sour. Worse, it spurred the first murder in history. It could have been avoided if only...
The Torah tells us of Cain's innovation. He had all the fruit of the world before him and decided to offer his thanks to the Creator, albeit from his cheapest produce -- flax. Cain's brother Hevel... (Abel)
Attention Required! | Cloudflare This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.
Perceptions by Rabbi Pinchas Winston on Parshas Bereishis
BY NOW, IF you have been reading what I have written over the years, you know that the Creation story that we begin with is the middle of the movie. It’s called Tikun Ma’aseh Bereishis, which means the “Rectification of the Act of Creation.” You can’t rectify something that wasn’t broken..
Attention Required! | Cloudflare This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.
Hamaayan by Rabbi Shlomo Katz on Parshas Bereishis
Our Parashah opens: “In the beginning of Elokim’s creating the heavens and the earth . . .” (We have translated the verse as it is explained by Rashi z”l.) Rashi comments: The verse does not use the Name “Hashem,” because at first the Creator intended the world to function using the attribute of Din / Justice, which is commonly denoted by the Name “Elokim.” However, He realized that the world could not thus endure and, therefore, He allied Din with the attribute of Rachamim / Mercy, which is commonly denoted by the Name we pronounce “Hashem,” but He gave precedence to Rachamim. Thus, we read (Bereish*t 2:4), “On the day that the Hashem Elokim made earth and heaven”–using both Divine Names, representing Rachamim and Din, respectively... [Until here from Rashi]
Attention Required! | Cloudflare This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.
Perceptions by Rabbi Pinchas Winston on Parshas Bereishis
THE END OF the Torah also means the end of Moshe Rabbeinu’s life. Everyone knows that he was a great person, but it is worth adding a few more words about just how great he was.
Everything about Moshe Rabbeinu since birth pointed to a special relationship with the Ohr HaGanuz, with which all miracles and redemptions occur...
Attention Required! | Cloudflare This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.
Rav Frand on Parshas Bereishis
The story of the nachash seducing Chava to eat from the etz ha’daas is well known. “And the woman saw that the tree was good for eating and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable for comprehension, and she took of its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. And the eyes of both of them were opened and they realized that they were naked; and they sewed together a fig leaf and made themselves aprons. They heard the sound of Hashem walking in the garden toward the direction of the sun; and the man and his wife hid from Hashem among the trees of the garden. Hashem called out to the man and said to him, ‘Where are you?’ He said, ‘I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I am naked, so I hid.’ And He said, ‘Who told you that you are naked? Have you eaten of the tree from which I commanded you not to eat?’ The man said, ‘The woman whom You gave to be with me – she gave me of the tree, and I ate...'”
Attention Required! | Cloudflare This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.
Dvar Torah by Rabbi Label Lam on Yom Kippur
You shall not recognize the gods of others in My presence. Do not make for yourself a carved image (lecha pesal) nor any likeness of that which is in the heavens above or on the earth below… (Shemos 20:3-4)
And HASHEM said to Moshe, “Carve for yourself (pesal lecha) two stone Tablets like the first and I will write on the Tablets the words that were on the first Tablets which you broke...
Attention Required! | Cloudflare This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.
Haaros by Rabbi Yaakov Bernstein on Yom Kippur
The Shofar is sounded near the end of Yom Kippur. As we’ve written, there is a link between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. (The Rabbis actually derived the Shofar of Rosh Hashanah from the mention of Shofar on Yom Kippur of the Yoveil — fiftieth year.)
There are numerous questions regarding this practice...
Attention Required! | Cloudflare This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.
Ha'aros by Rabbi Yaakov Bernstein on Rosh Hashana to Yom Kippur
The Shiboli Haleket questioned: Why do we mention "remembering the Exodus from Mitzraim" in regard to Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur? TheTorah doesn't mention a connection between the Exodus and the Yomim Noraim.
He answered: Freeing slaves is clearly stated as reminding us that we were slaves in Mitzraim, and there is an obligation to send the slaves free on Yom Kippur of the Yovel year...
Attention Required! | Cloudflare This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.
Hamaayan by Rabbi Shlomo Katz on Yom Kippur
Our Sages teach that one cannot achieve atonement unless he appeases those against whom he has sinned. Some say that one cannot achieve atonement even for his sins against G-d unless he has properly atoned for his sins against man and received forgiveness. (Kaf Ha’Chaim 606:3)
Why? Because atoning for only some sins is like immersing only part of one’s body in a Mikvah. Obviously, one does not attain purity by doing so... (Mussar Ha’Mishnah)
Attention Required! | Cloudflare This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.
Parsha Insights by Rabbi Yisroel Ciner on Parshas Haazinu
"Ha'azinu ha'shama'yim va'a'dabera {Listen heavens, and I will speak} v'sishma ha'aretz imrei fee... {and the land will hear the words of my mouth...}." Ha'azinu is the 'song of testimony' that Moshe relates to Bnei Yisroel before his death...
Attention Required! | Cloudflare This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.
Rabbi Zweig on Parshas Haazinu
The forty days from the beginning of Elul through Yom Kippur correspond with the forty days during which Moshe beseeched Hashem to forgive Bnei Yisroel for the sin of the Golden Calf. Since Moshe was answered favorably, descending from Mount Sinai on Yom Kippur with the new set of Tablets, this time period is known as the "Y'mei Ratzon", a time when it is possible to rekindle our relationship...
Attention Required! | Cloudflare This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.
Parsha Halacha for the Shabbos Table by Joshua Kruger on Parshas Haazinu
Aryeh was having a difficult morning. The smoke detector went off in his home just after he woke up. He ran outside with his whole family, most still in their pajamas. Thankfully there was no fire - just burnt toast in the kitchen.
By the time he came back into his house he was far behind schedule. Despite his attempts to rush, he arrived at school late...
Attention Required! | Cloudflare This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.
Legacy by Rabbi Naftali Reich on Parshas Haazinu
They are among the most stirring words in the Torah. In vermilion verse, Moses calls upon heaven and earth to bear witness to the poetic image he is about to conjure of Hashem's awesome majesty and His special relationship with the Jewish people. The Song of Moses, which we read in this week's portion, is a stunning paean characterized by sharp rebuke but also glorious hope...
Attention Required! | Cloudflare This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.
Drasha by Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky on Parshas Ha'azinu
The song of Ha'azinu encompasses a panoramic view of Jewish history. It tells of the past, present, and future of Klal Yisrael. However, Moshe does not end the portion with a song. He exhorts them to take his words seriously and apply them to their hearts...
Attention Required! | Cloudflare This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.
Hamaayan by Rabbi Shlomo Katz on Parshas Haazinu
Our Parashah opens: “Ha’azinu / Give ear, heavens, and I will speak; Ve’tishma / and may the earth hear the words of my mouth.” R’ Yissachar Shlomo Teichtel z”l Hy”d (1885-1945; rabbi and Rosh Yeshiva in Pieštany, Czechoslovakia) writes: The difference between the two types of listening referred to in our verse–Ha’azanah and Shemi’a–is that the former refers to listening to something until one understands it very well, while the latter refers to hearing even without understanding. The “heavens”–i.e., Torah scholars who busy themselves with heavenly matters–are called upon to study Torah until they understand it. And, says the second half of the verse, even those who will be unable to understand the Torah in depth because they are forced to busy themselves with earthly matters should listen to their rabbi’s Torah lessons...
Sponsored by Aaron & Rona Lerner in memory of his mother Fay Lerner (Faiga Reva bas Yoel Aharon a”h)
Our Parashah opens: “Ha’azinu / Give ear, heavens, and I will speak; Ve’tishma / and may the earth hear the words of my mouth.” R’ Yissachar Shlomo Teichtel z”l Hy”d (1885-1945;
Attention Required! | Cloudflare This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.
Rav Frand on Rosh Hashana
The Haftorah for the first day of Rosh Hashana is the story of Chana (Shmuel I Chapter 1). Chana was barren for so many years. Finally, she goes up to the Mishkan, receives a bracha from Eli Hakohen and becomes pregnant. Chazal say that she was barren for 19 years and that (according to one Medrash) she was 130 years old when she finally gave birth to Shmuel!
It is most noteworthy that once Eli gave her the bracha, she felt that she did not need to worry anymore. She was so confident in the bracha of Eli Hakohen that she did not go back up to Yerushalayim for aliyah l'regel again. The question is that if she was so confident in Eli's blessing, why did she not go up to Eli in the first year and ask him for a bracha then? What took her so long?
Attention Required! | Cloudflare This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.