Torah Tidbits
Word of the Month
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 May 27, 2011A Book by any other name...
Although the Book of Bamidbar begins with the date of Rosh Chodesh Iyar in the second year out of Egypt (2449 to Creation), we find an earlier date in Parshat B’haalot’cha - viz. Rosh Chodesh Nisan. The Book of D’varim begins with Rosh Chodesh Sh’vat of the final year of wandering, about 70 days before we entered Eretz Yisrael. This allows us to say that the Book of Bamidbar spans a time period of almost 39 years.
ENTIRELY TOO LONG to have been in the Midbar! We were supposed to be in Eretz Yisrael, having received the Torah, in a matter of a couple of months - tops.
TTriddles
TTRIDDLES…
are Torah Tidbits-style riddles on Parshat HaShavua (sometimes on the calendar). They are found in the hard-copy of TT scattered throughout, usually at the bottom of different columns. In the electronic versions of TT, they are found all together at the end of the ParshaPix-TTriddles section. The best solution set submitted each week (there isn’t always a best) wins a double prize a CD from Noam Productions and/or a gift (game, puzzle, book, etc.) from Big Deal
Parsha Pix -
Prominently at the top of the ParshaPix is a graphic of rain falling from a cloudy sky (so too the bullets on this page!), onto the ground, from which a plant is growing. To the right of that image is a watch
Published May 19, 2011Towards Better Davening and Torah Reading B'chukotai
Following up on last week’s column on D’VEIKIM (two words, last letter of the first is the same as the first letter of the second and if one is not careful, one of the letters gets swallowed by the other).
Published May 19, 2011Divrei Menachem
B’chukotai is a parsha that remains embedded in our historical conscious- ness. For having received the Torah and having forsaken the original covenant through the Sin of the Golden Calf, Hashem now ratifies that covenant anew. Not through the “Book of the Covenant” (Sh’mot 24:4,7) nor through offerings on behalf of the nation, but by spelling out the blessings for observing His laws and the curses for abandoning the Brit.
Curiously, the rewards and blessings spelt out are all of a material nature
A look at B'chukotai
The opening verse of the sidra concerns itself with walking: “If you walk in My statutes and faithfully keep My commandments…” (Vayikra 26:3). The Sifra makes this observation: “This means that you should toil in the study of Torah.” The comment seems enigmatic. One does not usually associate walking with toil.
Published May 19, 2011Pirkei Avot - 4th perek
OOPS!
Careless, sloppy - no excuse!
In last week’s Pirkei Avot column, we attributed the teachings of the first mishna in the third chapter to R’ Chananya ben Akashya.
He gets credit for the mishna at the end of Makot that we recite at the conclusion of each chapter of Avot.
The first mishna in perek gimmel is AKAVYA BEN MAHALALEIL - of course!
From the Writings of Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaKohen Kook by Rabbi Chanan Morrison
The Torah warns us that if we fail to listen to God and keep His mitzvot, we will be punished with famine, war, and ultimately, exile.
I will scatter you among the nations, and keep the sword drawn against you. Your land will remain desolate, and your cities in ruins. (Vayikra 26:33)
The Purpose of Israel in their Land
Blessing in Disguise
Vayikra 26:32 - And I [ANI] will lay waste the Land, and your enemies will be desolate upon it.
Rashi: This is a benefit for Israel! The enemies will not find contentment in the Land of Israel for it will be desolate of its inhabitants.
Gur Arye: Hashem warned Israel [26:21] that He would deliver seven blows, corresponding to their sins. If they still do not listen [26:27], He will deliver seven more, all in the Land, whose purpose is that they should repent. If they still do not listen, He will cast us out [26:33]. The desolation of our verse would have been an eighth blow
A Casual Curse
Context: As Parshat Bechukotai and the book of Vayikra draw to a close, God delivers a stinging rebuke and warning to the Israelites. Known as the Tochacha HaKetana, the small rebuke (in contrast to a second, larger rebuke found in the book of Devarim), this section contains a series of frighteningly prophetic descriptions of the tragedies that will befall the nation should they fail to follow God’s ways.
Published May 19, 2011Recent Torah Tidbits
- Issue 996 - Parshat Tazri’a - M’tzora (m’vorchim)
- Issue 993 - Parshat Vayakehl/P’kudei - Para
- Issue 986 - Issue 986 - Shabbat Parshat Va’eira (m’vorchim)
- Issue 985 - Issue 985- Shabbat Parshat Sh’mot
- Issue 984 - Issue 984- Shabbat Parshat Vaychi - Chazak
- Issue 983 - Issue 983- Shabbat Parshat Vayigash
- Issue 982 - Issue 982- Shabbat Parshat Mikeitz - m’vorchim
- Issue 981 - Issue 981- Shabbat Parshat Vayeishev
- Issue 980 - Issue-980 - Shabbat Parshat Vayishlach
- Issue 979 - Issue-979 - Shabbat Parshat Vayeitzei
- Issue 978 - Issue 978 - Shabbat Parshat Tol’dot - Machar Chodesh (m’vorchim)
- Issue 977 - Issue 977 - Shabbat Parshat Chayei Sara
- View All Issue Archives