The Broken Tablets-Ki Tissa-D’var Torah-Rabbi Yakira
Which was Mosheh’ greatest achievement? Taking the Jews out of Egypt? Splitting the Red Sea? Receiving the Torah from G‑d and transmitting it to humanity? Or The breaking of the tablets?
Month: February 2021
The Kohanim-Tetzaveh-D’var Torah-Rabbi Yakira
Judaism usually focus on the inner qualities, not outward materialism such as clothing, so what is so important about the garments of the High Priest? Does “Clothes make the man”? Should we judge a book by its cover? Also, Parashat Tetzaveh is the only parashah in the 3 books of: Shemot, Vayikra, and Bamidbar in which Mosheh’s name is not mentioned. Is it a sign that his physical presence is gone?
The Tabernacle-Terumah-D’var Torah-Rabbi Yakira
Trumah means offering, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”-Mahatma Gandhi. On Mount Sinai G-d first instructs Mosheh to call upon the people of Israel, only those whose heart so moved them to bring gifts and contribute the thirteen materials needed to build the Mishkan.
Happiness-The Art of Simchah by Rabbi Yakira
“Aizehu ashir? Hasameach bechelko, Who is rich? He that rejoices in his own portion (Pirkei Avot 4:1).” The most recognized word for happiness in Hebrew is Simchah. The noun Simchah is mentioned in the Bible 94 times. The Zohar notes that the Hebrew word for “in happiness” b’simchah, בשמחה contain the same letters as the Hebrew word for “thought” machshava, מחשבה referring to idea that the key to happiness is found in our thoughts, by training oneself to weed out any negative thought that prevent one from experiencing happiness.
Naaseh Venishma-Mishpatim-D’var Torah-Rabbi Yakira
The 53 mitzvot in Parshat Mishpatim fall primarily under the category of “bein adam l’chavero”, commandments governing relationships between man and man. Before Parashat Mishpatim, we studied the development of the relationship between Man and G-d through a series of open miracles culminating on Har Sinai experience. Now the Torah shifts gears and focuses on mitzvot bein adam l’chaveiro.