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Parashas ha'Shavua (Weekly Torah Portion)

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
Tetzaveh: Philosophical Pants
The most underappreciated item of the bigdei kehunah (priestly vestments) is the undergarments. In this article, we analyze these "philosophical pants…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
Mishpatim: Judaism’s Stance on (Extrajudicial) Witch Hunts
The Torah prohibits witchcraft under the penalty of death, but if you think you know what that means and why, then you may be in for a surprise.
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
3
Yisro: Shadal’s Unfortunate Stance on Idolatry, Belief, and the Value of Knowledge
Perhaps this article will expose me as a fool, an ignoramus, a haughty dilettante—or all three. But I had to write it, if only to be shown how wrong I…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
15
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