Torah Tidbits
Endings and Beginnings
Vayakhel and Pikudei are twin portions, replete with technical details. They describe the completion of the construction of the Mishkan, a significant accomplishment made even more significant because it was a process in which every Jew participated.
Published March 11, 2010OCD and the Halacha
In Machon Puah, OCD is often seen as an issue in the area of observing the laws of family purity. In their legitimate zeal to maintain strict adherence to the halachot, we find that some women can become obsessive and stricter in the application of the halacha than they need to be. Often, this can delay mikveh immersion and result in problems with getting pregnant; it can also create tension between husband and wife.
Published March 11, 2010Parsha Points to Ponder - Vayakhel-P'kudei
1) Why does the Torah state SIX DAYS YOU SHOULD DO WORK before commanding to rest on Shabbat (35:2)? Isn’t it obvious that one would be working the rest of the week?
Published March 11, 2010Chizuk & Idud - Vayakhel-P'kudei
Rashi comments: “the word mishkan is repeated as an allusion to the “Mishkan” (here referring to the Beit HaMikdash) that was forfeit twice as collateral for the sins of Israel.” Rashi seems to connect the two concepts with a simple play on words. In Ivrit, Tabernacle is “mIshkAn” and collateral is “mAshkOn.” Of course, one would not expect Rashi to base his commentary on a linguistic trick.
Published March 11, 2010Wisdom & Wit - Vayakhel P'kudei
“My son, I have my job to do, which is to give a shi’ur, and he has his job, to collect alms. Who is to say which of us has the greater mission in life?”
Published March 11, 2010Schnitzel - Shehakol or Mezonot??
Q: I have heard people question what I thought was simple - that the beracha on schnitzel is Shehakol. What is the truth?
Published March 11, 2010Acquiring and Spending Wealth - part 6
Rabbi Akiva taught that loving your neighbor was a great principle of Torah, but Ben Azzai taught that the verse “these are the generations of Man”, was even greater. Both would agree that the world consists not only of vertical relationships between man and G-d but also of horizontal relationships between man and man. Mankind is thus a large family linked together by their Creator who provides for all.
Published March 11, 2010Lesson # 512 - DOUBTFUL HEIRS
Reuven dies and Shimon and Dan are proven or reputed to be his sons. The community has no information one way or the other if Reuven left other sons. Levi arrives on the scene and claims that he is also a son of Reuven and demands to receive one-third share of the estate of Reuven. Shimon acknowledges Levi to be a brother, but Dan denies any knowledge whether Levi is a son of Reuven…
Published March 11, 2010Aliya-by-Aliya for Vayakhel-P'kudei
In the opening 3-pasuk portion about Shabbat, there are 40 words - 39 plus the word HaShabbat. This can be taken as a symbolic reference to the 39 categories of prohibited Melacha, which define the nature of HASHABBAT. The Baal HaTurim says…
Published March 11, 2010Time, Place, and Self
This week, we have another example of a message from the sedra that is enhanced by something in the Maftir - or vice versa…
Published March 11, 2010Word of the Month - Vayakhel-P'kudei
A weekly feature of Torah Tidbits to help clarify practical and conceptual aspects of the Jewish Calendar, thereby better fulfilling the mitzva of HaChodesh HaZeh Lachem…
Published March 11, 2010Recent Torah Tidbits
- Issue 0900 - Issue 900 - Parashat Vayakhel-P'kudei, Hachodesh 5770
- Issue 0894 - Issue 894 - Parshat B’shalach - Shabbat Shira - Tu BiShvat 5770
- Issue 0883 - Issue 883 - Parshat Chayei Sara 5770
- Issue 0822 - Issue 882 - Parshat Vayeira 5770
- Issue 0881 - Issue 881 - Parshat Lech L'cha 5770
- Issue 0880 - Issue 880 - Parshat No'ach 5770
- Issue 0879 - Issue 879 - Parashat B'reishit 5770
- Issue 0858 - Parshat Emor 5769
- Issue 0857 - Parshat Acharei-K'doshim 5769
- Issue 0856 - Tazria Metzora 5769
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