The laws regarding the korbanot are one of the major themes of sefer Vayikra. The Rambam discusses their underlying reasoning in two well-known passages found in his philosophic magnum opus, The … more

Our parshiot, Vayakel-Pekudei, begin with the construction of the Mishkan (the portable desert sanctuary): “Moses called the whole community of the children of Israel to assemble, and he … more

Although our parasha, Ki Tisa, contains numerous themes, it is preeminently associated with the Chet Haegel (the Sin of the Golden Calf). How could our ancestors could have participated in such a … more

The final five pasukim of Parashat Tetzaveh focus our attention on the underlying purpose of the Ohel Moed: “… at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting before the … more

The most celebrated pasuk in our parasha, Terumah, is, “And they shall make Me a sanctuary (Mikdash) and I will dwell in their midst” (Shemot 25:8). It is followed by a great many verses … more

The mishpatim are most often viewed as a category of laws the Jewish people theoretically could have formulated on their own. In many instances, Torah contrasts these with the term chukim, as we find … more

The first 12 pasukim of our parasha, Yitro, relate the story of Yitro’s departure from Midian in order to join Moshe and the Jewish people at Mount Sinai. The Torah initially gives Yitro three … more

One of the outstanding sections of parsha Beshalach is the Shirat HaYam Suf, the song of joy and thanks to Hashem for having miraculously saved us from Pharaoh and his hordes of chariots and … more

Our parasha, Bo, tells the story of the Jewish people’s departure from Egypt: “It came to pass at the end of 430 years, and it came to pass in that very day, that all the legions of the … more

The Pesach Haggadah lists the Ten Plagues (makkot) in order of their appearance in sefer Shemot: “These are the Ten Plagues that the Holy One, blessed be He, brought upon the Egyptians in … more