Lech Lecha 5775

This week's parsha speaks of the Mitzvah of bris milah as Hashem commands Avraham to perform it on himself and his household. The Midrash brings a conversation between Rabbi Akiva and Turnus Rufus. Rufus asks, why is there a Mitzvah to perform bris milah? If Hashem desires it, why not create Man with a milah? Rabbi Akiva answers that the Mitzvos are to refine us. Hashem gives us the opportunity to perfect ourselves. We are to take the mundane and sanctify it through Hashem's commandments.

Noach 5775

There are thousands of types of animals and birds in the world. Additionally, such an amount of creatures would require an incredible amount of food and space in order to multiply. The Ramban explains that it was a miracle that the ark was able to hold everything; the small was able to hold the large. Why then was the ark as big as it was? Why not make a smaller one and rely on the miracle? The Ramban goes on to say that the way miracles in the Torah work requires man to do whatever he can and the rest is left for Hashem. It is important to lead an active life and not to sit back and wait for things to happen. Hashem rewards those who put in effort.

Ki Tavo 5774

In the tocha'cha (rebuke), the Torah says a sinner who is engaged to a woman, who builds a house, and grows a vineyard will lose all three. It is interesting to note that these three examples are what exempt a man from participating in war as mentioned two weeks ago. The Chizkuni points out the order there is building a house, growing a vineyard, and then getting engaged; this is the ideal order in life. Here, the man messes up the order and loses it all. The Chizkuni is teaching us the importance of order and structure in life. Disorganization is the antithesis to a growth-oriented individual.

Chukas 5774

There are many reasons given as to why Moshe was punished at Mei Merivah. The Rambam explains that Moshe expressed anger when it wasn't appropriate. He called Bnei Yisroel "rebels" (20:10) before giving them water. This was seen as a desecration of Hashem's name since he was the leader of Bnei Yisroel. It is important to recognize how to act in different situations and learn how to control our emotions.

Behar 5774

The classic question asked at the beginning of the parsha is what is the connection between Mt. Sinai and Shemittah, the Sabbatical year.The Yalkut Shimoni (860) quotes a posuk: "Bless Hashem, you His angels who are mighty in strength, who do His bidding to obey the voice of His speech" (Pslams 103:20). This refers to the people who keep the Shemittah year. The Gemara in Shabbos uses the same posuk to describe Bnei Yisroel as they stood before Mt. Sinai. R' Chaim Shmulewitz explains that just as Bnei Yisroel exalted themselves to the level of angels, so too the farmers that keep Shemittah are exalted. They share the message of "na'aseh vinishma"-we will do and we will hear. This is a special level of emunah and bitachon, to put all your faith in Hashem without questioning and worrying.

Emor 5774

Right after the Torah speaks about the omer offering, it immediately discusses the mitzvos of leket and pe'ah, to give the poor produce from your field. Why did the Torah decide to put these two ideas together? The Kil Yakar explains that we would think that our fields are exempt from any other mitzvah after harvesting barley for the omer. The Torah comes to say that we still need to use our field to help the poor. The Midrash adds that Hashem surrounded Bnei Yisroel with mitzvos in every action they do. This includes work done in the field.

Metzora 5774

The Ramban from last week (13:47) explains that Tzara'as isn't a natural sickness, it is a miraculous phenomenon. When Bnei Yisroel are one with Hashem, His presence is upon them and gives them a favorable appearance to their bodies, clothing, and houses. But when Bnei Yisroel sins, they remove Hashem's presence from themselves. This results in a hideous mark on them and their possessions.