Even though we do not have the ability to bring Korbanos nowadays, Chazal reassure us that if we study the intricate laws, details and inner essence of the Korbanos it will be considered as if we have offered them up. This promise is unique to Korbanos, we do not find that if someone is unable … More Vayikra: Of Bulls, Lips and Hearts

Parshas Pekudei opens by referring to the mishkan as the mishkan ha eidus, the tabernacle of testimony, a term that had previously been reserved for the aron. Rashi explains that the use of this term is a reference to the testimony that Hashem has now overlooked the sin of the golden calf as evidenced by … More Pekudei – One at Heart

Prime Minister Netanyahu, with his keen sense of awareness of Jewish history invoked the Purim story to President Putin in order to enlist his support in stopping the military threat from Iran. Not surprisingly, Putin, a hard-nosed realist, rejected the comparison out of hand, saying that the events of 2,500 years ago have no bearing … More From Shushan to Tehram, via Moscow!

Unlike every other fast, this is one we are happy to bring forward when it should fall on Shabbos (like this year). Evidently, Taanis Esther isn’t a sad day, so what’s it all about? The Rambam draws a very clear distinction between Taanis Esther and the four fasts that commemorate the destruction of the Beis … More Taanis Esther – Why are we Fasting?

In this week’s sedra we are charged with building a place, a sacred space where Hashem’s presence could be felt and from where it could emanate. This will take us all the way until the end of Sefer Vayikra, with the remaining sedros in Shemos being the instructions of how to build the Mishkan and … More Teruma – Consecration and Closeness