Yom Kippur Morning

by Reuben Ebrahimoff, Haftorahman, for the Orthodox Union

Haftorahman brings you a shiur on this Shabbat’s Haftorah from the Book of Prophets, explaining it in a dynamic and exciting way, making learning the Haftorah a fun and enlightening experience each and every week. Watch this video.

 


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Shabbat Shuva; Ha-azinu

Deuteronomy 32:1-52

Rabbi Bernie Fox for OU.org

“My lesson shall drop like rain. My saying shall flow like dew – like wind-blown rain upon the herb, like a powerful shower upon the covering of vegetation.” (Devarim 31:2)
Rashi explains that in this pasuk Hashem is describing the effects of the Torah upon its students. In the first portion of the pasuk, the Torah is compared to rain and dew. What is the message transmitted through this comparison?

Rashi comments that although the earth needs rain in order to sustain life, rain is not always appreciated. Rain can cause inconvenience. The traveler does not wish to battle inclement weather. A farmer whose harvested crops are still in the field is not pleased with a summer storm.

Dew does not have the life-sustaining power of rain. However, it is more appreciated. Dew provides moisture, without inconvenience. [1]

Rashi understands the pasuk to contain a fundamental lesson. A few preliminary observations are necessary to understand this message. Some activities only provide future reward. Often a person is required to make a tremendous sacrifice in order to secure this future benefit. A person may work fifty years, in a despised job, in order to someday enjoy a dreamed-of retirement. A parent will sacrifice and endure hardship for years in order to provide the best opportunities for his or her beloved child.

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Shabbat Slichot - Nitzavim-Vayelech

Deuteronomy 29:9-63:9

This week's commentary was written Leah Houseman, writing as Sophia Bar-Lev, for InTune With Torah.

This Shabbat is the last Shabbat before Rosh Hashana and we are preparing ourselves to face judgment. Jewish tradition teaches us that the judgment on Rosh Hashana concerns the events of this world. As we recite in this majestic prayer:
On Rosh Hashana will be inscribed and on Yom Kippur will be sealed: how many will pass from the earth and how many will be created; who will live and who will die; who will die at his predestined time and who will die before his time; who by water who by fire; who by sword who by beast; who by famine, who by thirst; … who will rest and who will wander; who will live in harmony and who will be harassed; who will enjoy tranquility and who will suffer; who will be impoverished and who will be enriched; who will be degraded and who will be exalted.

But although the prayer service informs us about the sorts of matters that are decided on Rosh Hashana, it is less explicit about the considerations that enter the deliberations of the heavenly court. Consequently, it is all too easy to miss the entire point of the day. Not only does such an error result in a missed opportunity, it also opens the door to the possibility of failing to obtain the best possible judgment.
Judgment is a concept related to reward and punishment. Thus, a decree for a trouble-free, healthy life in the coming year represents a reward, while a bad decree that results in poverty and sickness is a punishment.

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Ki Tavo

Deuteronomy 26:1–29:8

Twice Warned

The two extended warnings for breaking the covenant reflect the changing relationship between the people of Israel and God as well as the two different exiles.

By Rabbi Haskel Lookstein. Provided by the Orthodox Union, the central coordinating agency for North American Orthodox congregations.

The Tokhackah, G-d's stern warning to the Jewish people of what will befall them should they stray from His commands, appears twice in the Torah, first in Parashat B'hukotai and again in this week's parashah.

This follows the ruling of the prophet Ezra, "that they read the curses in Torat Kohanim (Leviticus) before Atzeret (Shavuot) and the ones in Mishneh Torah (Deuteronomy) before Rosh Hashanah."

The link between the Tokhakhah and Shavuot--the anniversary of our acceptance of the Torah--is readily understandable. But what accounts for the connection between this week's Tokhakhah and the start of the New Year?

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Ki Teitzei

Deuteronomy 21:10–25:19

And Your Camp(s) Shall Be Holy

The laws regarding the purity of the Tabernacle and the purity of military camps remind us to ensure the sanctity of all of our dwelling places.

By Rabbi Avraham Fischer for MyJewishLearning.com

Shortly, the people of Israel will begin its national life, including the conquest and settlement of the land.

And when Israel goes to war, Moses teaches, the Torah continues to maintain its concern for sanctity:

(10) When you go out as a camp (mahaneh) against your enemies, you shall be on guard against any bad thing. (11) If there will be among you a man who will not be pure because of an incident of the night, he shall go forth outside of the camp (la'mahaneh); he shall not come inside the camp (ha'mahaneh). (12) And it shall be towards evening, he shall wash in water, and when the sun has set he may come into the camp (ha'mahaneh). (13) And a designated place shall you have for yourself outside of the camp (la'mahaneh), and you shall go there outside. (14) And a spade shall you have for you with your implements; and it shall be when you sit outside, you shall dig with it, and you shall turn back and cover your discharge. (15) For Hashem, your G-d, walks in the midst of your camp (mahanecha), to save you and to deliver your enemies before you; and your camp(s) shall be (v'haya mahaneycha) holy; and He will not see in you any indecent thing, such that He will turn from behind you (Deuteronomy 23).

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