HEARING THE CALL Our parasha this week begins with the powerful words: Vayikra El Moshe – And He called to Moses…. [Vayikra 1:1] The Torah records three distinct occasions when G-d “calls” out to Moses, each marking the beginning of a momentous task. The first occurs at the burning bush. While shepherding the flocks of...
SPRING BLOSSOMS The other day, my niece came round to visit. We proudly showed her our magnolia tree which is in full and majestic blossom. Gazing in awe at its magnificence, she asked if we would mind if she hugged the tree! Putting her arms around its gnarled wide girth, she explained that physically connecting...
LUXURIES AND NECESSITIES Why does the Torah devote so much detail to the construction of the Mishkan (the mobile Temple)? This is now the fourth consecutive Torah portion dedicated to its design and construction. Ramban (d. 1270) explains that there were actually two distinct commandments to build the Mishkan. The first came before the sin...
HEAVY LIFTING When Rachie and I were first married, we lived in Jerusalem while I was studying at the Mir Yeshiva. One day, I arrived at an apartment building to visit a friend. At the same time, a van pulled up, and the driver proceeded to unload a fridge destined for a resident on the...
