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Parashas ha'Shavua (Weekly Torah Portion)

Pinchas: Inheritance as a Non-Intuitive Mishpat
What’s the purpose of inheritance laws? Most don't even ask. They assume the answer is obvious. But the Sefer ha’Chinuch offers a non-intuitive…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
Balak: How Bad Omens Can Harm You (Even According to the Rambam)
Many people believe that bad omens are harbingers of real harm. Rambam is not one of them. But even he might hold by the exception noted by R' Yehuda…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
10
Korach: Three Types of Machlokess (or “How Korach Wasn’t as Bad as You Think”)
We’re quick to condemn Korach. But what if his motives weren’t entirely evil? And what if that insight changes how we see machlokess in our own…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
1
Shelach: Rabbeinu Bachya on the Meraglim, Mishlei, and the Current War With Iran
I don't know who needs a Bitachon 101 (Trust in God) refresher course for this war with Iran, but Rabbeinu Bachya provides one in his intro to Parashas…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
12
Behaalosecha: The Non-Symbolic Trumpets
What’s the reason for the mitzvah of the chatzotzeros (trumpets)? The Sefer ha’Chinuch reminds us that sometimes, the simplest answer is the most…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
7
Naso: Twelve Identical Offerings
Why does the Torah repeat the twelve identical offerings in Parashas Naso? This article explores a peshat answer, two midrashim, and their methodology.
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
4
Bamidbar: Dust, Sand, and Stars
Hashem reiterates His promise to multiply Avraham’s offspring using three metaphors. What does each mean? How do they shed light on our present state?
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
2
Bechukosai: Does Hashem Ever Truly Loathe Israel?
Our gut reaction to this question is, "No!" but the verses in the blessings and the curses indicate that the answer is not so simple.
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
3
Emor / Shavuos: Mikdash, Moadim, and Tzedakah
Why does the Torah interrupt its presentation of Moadim to review the agricultural tzedakah-related mitzvos? And why specifically by Shavuos?
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
1
Kedoshim: “Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself” – Not the Greatest Principle in Torah
R’ Akiva calls “Ve’ahavta l’reiacha kamocha” a great Torah principle. Ben Azzai disagrees. Wessely attempts to reconcile them with an original…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
6
Vayakhel: The Philosophy of the Issur Hotzaah (Prohibition of Carrying on Shabbos)
What do you think about carrying on Shabbos? Whatever they are, I can guarantee you'll have a greater appreciation after learning Rav Hirsch's…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
8
Ki Tisa: Shadal’s Anti-Rationalist Rational Explanation of Ayin ha’Ra (the Evil Eye)
What if I told you there’s an explanation of ayin ha’ra that is neither purely rationalistic nor mystical? True to form, Shadal offers just such an…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
15
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