Yeshiva World News

B’Ohel Haneviyim: Parshas Terumah 5773

This week's Haftorah describes how Shlomo Hamelech built the Bayis Rishon (first Temple). The Haftorah discusses the outside measurements, the schedules of the workers, and many other aspects. Prior to a discussion of the interior construction, the Navi tells us that Hashem appeared to Shlomo and told him: “the House you are building; if you follow my statutes and you fulfill my laws and you keep my Mitzvos – I will keep My word with you that I spoke onto Dovid your father”. The wording ...

Rabbi Yaakov Margulies: Parshas Terumah

There are lots of dogs in my neighborhood. Most of them even have owners. It's interesting to observe people walking their dogs. Some are pretty serene and follow the owners' lead. But most are quite excitable and difficult to control. Who can blame them? Who wouldn't be antsy during their only fifteen-minute excursion of the day? The owners are virtually lead by the dogs, not the other way around. They jump around, bark ferociously, while the owners do contortions to keep them from causing ...

HaRav Zev Leff: Parshas Terumah

Supporting the Supporter "Take for me an offering" (Shemos 25:2) The donations requested of Bnei Yisrael for the construction of the Mishkan are described as being taken rather than given. What does that mean? Moreover, Hashem is the Master of the Universe and all that it contains. Did He need contributions and materials from human beings to construct His Mishkan? The purpose of the contributions was to enable Bnei Yisrael to participate in the construction of the Mishkan. Thus the ...

Vertluch: Parshas Terumah

Parshas Terumah goes through great detail how each and every vessel for the Mishkan was to be fashioned. If you look into the wording of the pasukim you will notice that when Hashem related to Moshe the instructions for each vessel, they were given over in the singular loshon. The reason being, that he was representing klal Yisroel and acting as their shaliach. (25; 12,13,14,16, etc…) However, when Hashem instructed Moshe on the details for the Aron it was expressed in a plural form; as the ...

Mimamakim: Insights into Purim

By Rabbi Yosef Levinson    Think of Purim, and one of the first things that come to mind is the minhag (custom) of masquerading. We disguise ourselves and hide our faces behind a mask. This reminds us that our salvation on Purim came about through a neis nistar, a hidden miracle. Hashem did not alter the natural order of things. He did not split the sea or cause a single jug of oil to burn for eight days. After witnessing a chain of seemingly chance occurrences, the Jewish people realized ...

B’Ohel Haneviyim: Parshas Mishpotim 5773

After finishing this week's Sedra we read Parshas Shekalim. The Haftorah reflects this additional Parsha. In Parshas Shekalim Hashem instructs that each Jewish adult male must give a half- Shekel (Machatzis Hashekel) to the Bais Hamikdash in order for Am-Yisroel to be counted. It would seem natural for the Haftorah to reflect this idea of every individual giving the same amount to Hekdesh. Instead, the portion selected discusses something seemingly unconnected. The Haftorah tells us that ...

Vertluch: Parshas Mishpotim

The bnei Yisroel had just experienced the amazing and awe inspiring Matan Torah at Har Sinai. Immediately following that is parshas Mishpatim, in which we learn about an eved ivri. It would appear that there is a specific reason as to why this was the first mitzvah listed. Additionally, if you look into the haftorah which in sefer Yirmiyahu, the navi was relating to klal Yisroel a message from Hashem, which was: ‘On the day that you left mitzrayim I instructed you with these halachos.’ It ...

Rabbi Yaakov Margulies: Parshas Mishpotim

The Torah's Secret To Success We all want to find the key to success. Whether at work, learning, in marriage, or parenting, we strive to attain our goals and reach new heights. People often can't figure out why they've failed. They look at others who have succeeded, and think, 'I've got everything he's got. What's his secret?' In fact, sometimes those with greater natural ability are surpassed by those with far less. What is their secret? It's usually not what you'd expect. While there ...

Parsha Potpourri: Parshas Mishpotim

V’ki yigach shor … v’im shor nagach hu mit’mol shil’shom v’huad biv’alav (21:28-29) A common criticism of yeshiva students is that they spend their days engrossed in the study of archaic and irrelevant laws such as the intricate minutiae of goring cows. In reality, the Torah is Hashem’s blueprint for creating the world, and the answer to every question and problem may be found therein, as evidenced by the following amazing story. A panic-stricken woman once approached the ...

HaRav Zev Leff: Parshas Mishpatim

Na'aseh Venishmah R' Sima'i taught: At the moment the Jewish People answered "Na'aseh ve'nishmah - We will fulfill and learn the Torah," 600,000 angels descended and crowned each Jew with two crowns, one for na'aseh and one for nishmah (Shabbos 88a) The commentaries have discussed at length the greatness the Jewish peole exhibited by committing themselves to fulfill the Torah even before asking to hear what it contained. We can appreciated the procius crown earned for the unconditional ...

B’Ohel Haneviyim: Parshas Yisro 5773

This week's Haftorah contains one of the most awesome sights ever beheld by man. We read one of the two portions referred to as "Ma'aseh Mercava" – the Revelation of the Heavenly Chariot." Ma'aseh Mercava is recorded in two Neviyim: Yishayohu and Yechezkel; this week’s Haftorah contains the revelation given to Yishayohu. The “Ma’aseh Mercava” is considered according to the Seforim Hakedoshim to be one of the most important Revelations. The Seforim explain that all the secrets of the ...

HaRav Zev Leff: Parshas Yisro

The Art of Listening Moses' father-in-law Yisro, sheik of Midian, heard about all that G-d had done for Moses and His people Israel when He brought Israel out of Egypt (Shemos 18:1) What did Yisro hear about that made him come? The splitting of the Sea and the war with Amalek (Rashi). Considering that Matan Torah (the giving of the Torah) is the foundation of the entire world - both spiritual and physical - would it not have been proper for Chazal to designate a full sedrah to this ...

Parsha Potpourri: Parshas Yisro

Vayishma Yisro (18:1) After the miracles that Hashem performed for the Jewish people at the Red Sea and in the battle against Amalek, Yisro came to join them and convert. However, the Torah seems to stress that there was something unique about Yisro hearing about these miracles. What was so significant about Yisro’s hearing? The Alshich HaKadosh explains that while the entire world heard about the miracles and were filled with fear of the Jews, only Yisro did something about it: he came ...

Vertluch: Parshas Yisro

Now Moshe’s father in law, Yisro, the priest of Midyan, heard all that Hashem had done for Moshe and bnei Yisrael. (18; 1) Was Yisro the only one that heard what had happened to klal Yisroel? The entire world also heard what had happened but the fact that the Torah highlighted Yisro must mean that he heard something differently than the rest of the world. What was it that Yisro heard that everyone else didn’t? Secondly, when describing Yisro, who was the father-in- law of Moshe, why ...

B’Ohel Haneviyim: Parshas Beshalach 5773

This week's Haftorah is from Shoftim; it is the story of Devorah Hanevia's and Barak's battle against Sisra. The battle is won when Yael kills Sisra. After the battle is won the Navi tells us ותשר דבורה וברק – "Devorah and Barak sang". The Haftorah then continues with the Song they sang. It would appear the reason this Haftorah was chosen is because it, like our Sedra, contains a Shira. Both Shiros are prefaced by a Passuk telling us beforehand that Am-Yisroel, and Devorah and ...

Vertluch: Parshas Beshalach

It is five thirty in the morning, the alarm rings; within minutes you are off to shul ready to start your day. After you learn and daven you head back home at seven thirty, grab your work bag and off to the train you go. As soon as you get into the office you are confronted from all angles; the printer is not working, bills have to be paid, an irate customer is on the phone, etc. We’re all too familiar with this routine and this is just the beginning of the day. Yet, when you open the ...

HaRav Zev Leff: Parshas Beshalach

A Three Days Journey in the Desert I declare that I will bring you out of the wretchedness of Egypt to the land of the Canuanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Yebusites-to a land flowing with milk and honey.... You and the elders cf Israel will then go to the King of Egypt. You must tell him, Hashem, God of the Hebrews, revealed Himself to us. Now we request that you allow us to take a three day journey into the desert to sacrifice to Hashem our God (Shemos 3:17-18). T he ...