Why was he called Yaakov?

וְאַֽחֲרֵי־כֵ֞ן יָצָ֣א אָחִ֗יו וְיָדֹ֤ו אֹחֶ֙זֶת֙ בַּעֲקֵ֣ב עֵשָׂ֔ו וַיִּקְרָ֥א שְׁמֹ֖ו יַעֲקֹ֑ב וְיִצְחָ֛ק בֶּן־שִׁשִּׁ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה בְּלֶ֥דֶת אֹתָֽם, after that his brother emerged with his hand grasping  on to the…

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The journey is worthwhile

ויאמר ה' אל אברם לך לך מארצך וממולדתך ומבית אביך אל

הארץ אשר אראך,

HaShem said to Avram, “Go for yourself from your land, from…

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A “Time” for Change

אחת שאלתי מאת ה' אותה אבקש שבתי בבית ה' כל ימי חיי

לחזות בנעם ה' ולבקר בהיכלו, one thing…

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Honor Your Parents Because You Owe Them Everything

כבד את אביך ואת אמך כאשר צוך ה' אלקיך למען יאריכן ימיך על האדמה אשר ה' אלקיך נתן לך, honor your father and your mother, as HaShem, your G-d, commanded you, so that your days will lengthened and…

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Take a Break and Get Rid of Amalek

ויקרא אל משה וידבר ה' אליו מאהל מועד לאמר, He called to Moshe, and HaShem spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, saying: (Vayikra 1:1)

In this week’s parasha the Torah states (Vayikra 1:1)ויקרא אל משה וידבר ה' אליו מאהל מועד לאמר, He called to Moshe,…

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שבת טעם החיים בא תש"ע

Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Bo 5770



The Great Redemption and Renewal



Introduction

החדש הזה לכם ראש חדשים ראשון הוא לכם לחדשי השנה, this month shall be for you the beginning of the months, it shall be for you the first of the months of the year. (Shemos 12:2)

This week’s parasha is famous for the recording of the redemption of the Jewish People from Egypt. What passes under the radar is the mention of the first mitzvah that was given to the… Continue

שבת טעם החיים פרשת מטות-מסעי תשס"ט

Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Parashas Matos-Masei 5769



Making a vow removes jealousy and hatred

Introduction

In this week’s parasha, Matos, it is said (Bamidbar 30:3) ish ki yidor neder laHaShem, if a man takes a vow to HaShem. The Imrei Emes writes that the word neder, a vow, is similar to the word dirah¸ a dwelling. This reflects the idea that one’s word has to be as solid as a wall. It is noteworthy that regarding Shabbos it is said… Continue

שבת טעם החיים פרשת משפטים תשס"ט

Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Parashas Mishpatim 5769



Shabbos is a spiritual day accompanied by physical indulgences

Introduction

In this weeks parasha we learn about the precursor to the Jewish people fashioning the Golden Calf. It is said (Shemos 24:9-11) vayaal Moshe viAharon Nadav viAvihu vishivim miziknei Yisroel vayiru es Elokei Yisroel visachas raglav kimaasei livnas hasapir uchietzem hashamayim latohar viel atzilei binei Yisroel lo… Continue

שבת טעם החיים פרשת יתרו תשס"ט

Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Parashas Yisro 5769



Shabbos all the time



Introduction



In this week’s parasha the Torah records the Aseres HaDibros, the Ten Commandments. It is interesting to note that all of the Commandments contain an instruction that one must be constantly aware of. For example, the first Commandment instructs us to be constantly aware that HaShem is our G-d. The second Commandment instructs us that we are prohibited… Continue

תפילה: ברום עולם

Tefillah: Birum Olam: Prayer stands at the Pinnacle of the World

Volume I Issue 16





Tefillah Thoughts



Hashem answers before we pray

We are currently discussing the verse that states (Yeshaya 65:24) vihayah terem yikrau vaani eeneh od heim midabrim vaani eshma, it will be before that they call I will answer; while they yet speak I will hear. What does it mean that HaShem will respond before they even call out? It would seem to be… Continue

Tefillah: Birum Olam: Prayer stands at the Pinnacle of the World

Volume I Issue 9



In this series we will be exploring the meaning of prayer, and more specifically, of how to pray. In this issue we will examine the humility one should exhibit while praying.



Tefillah Thoughts



The Medrash (Tanchumah Ki Savo §1) states that Moshe foresaw that the Bais HaMikdash would be destroyed and the Jewish People would cease to offer Bikkurim, the first fruits of the Land.… Continue

Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Haazinu-Sukkos 5769



Shabbos in the Parashah



This week is Parashas Haazinu and will be followed next week by Sukkos. What is interesting about the association between Haazinu and Sukkos is that Haazinu is basically the end of the Torah, where Moshe informs the Jewish people of what will occur when they do not follow the Torah. In a sense Haazinu is the depiction of the End of Days and the Ultimate Redemption. Sukkos is referred to in the Torah as the… Continue

Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Ki Seitzei 5768



Shabbos in the Parashah



In this week’s parashah the Torah discusses the laws of going out to battle. One of the laws of battle is that the Jewish People retain a state of sanctity in the camp. It is said (Devarim 23:10) ki seitzei machaneh al oyvecho vinishmarta mikol davar ra, when a camp goes out against your enemies, you shall guard against anything evil. Further on it is said (Ibid verse 15) ki HaShem Elokecha mishaleich bikerev… Continue

Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Re’eh 5768



Shabbos in the Parashah



In this weeks parashah it is said (Devarim 7:12) Re’eh anochi nosein lifneichem hayom birachah ukelalah, see, I present before you today a blessing and a curse. The Sfas Emes (Re’eh 5631) cites his grandfather, the Chiddushei HaRim, who said that this verse teaches us that it was instilled in every single Jew that he could choose the blessing. It is for this reason that we recite every day the blessing baruch atah… Continue

Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Devarim-Chazon 5768



Shabbos in the Parashah



Today is Shabbos, and the next day is Tisha Baav. How are we to understand the concept of going from Shabbos, a day of complete joy, to Tisha Baav, a day of complete sadness and mourning? Furthermore, how are we to comprehend the idea of mourning for a building that was destroyed two thousand years ago? The act of mourning is normally understood as someone, Heaven forbid, losing a close relative, and he or… Continue