Ki Tisa 5773

The Gemara in Shabbos (118b) states that if we keep Shabbos perfectly two times in a row, then Moshiach would come immediately. However, the Yerushalmi says we only need to keep Shabbos perfectly once. The Kedushas Levi resolves this contradiction. In actuality, it only takes one Shabbos for Moshiach to come. When we properly keep Shabbos, it leaves an impact on our Avodas Hashem for the rest of the week; we worship Hashem with a pure heart. This then leads into the following Shabbos, which is then properly followed again, but this time with our "renewed" Avodas Hashem.

Tetzaveh 5773

There are two clothing pieces of the Kohein Gadol that the Torah describes to be "crafted by weavers" ("ma'aseh choshev"): the ephod (apron) and the choshen (breastplate). Why specifically these two? The Kli Yakar explains because they both atone for sins connected to one's thoughts, which in Hebrew is the same root as "choshev". The Ephod atones for idolatry; idolatry affects your faith and therefore affecting your thoughts. The choshen atones for corrupt judgment; a judge's thoughts are affected by his feelings in his heart.

Terumah 5773

The Parsha begins with Hashem telling Moshe to take donations from Bnei Yisroel for the building of the Mishkan. This seems to say that Bnei Yisroel was forced to donate. But didn't they give with a "nediv lev," a motivated heart? R' Moshe Feinstein writes that when one gives tzedakah he shouldn't do it because Hashem told him to; he should give because he himself wants to give. Using his yetzer tov a person implants in himself a feeling of giving tzedakah out of his own good intentions.

Mishpatim 5773

Towards the end of Mishpatim the Torah retells the story of Matan Torah. In 24:3 Moshe tells Bnei Yisroel of various laws. Rashi notes that these were laws taught right after they crossed the Red Sea. But why is Moshe reteaching these laws? The Kedushas Levi explains that Moshe wasn't reteaching them because the posuk says he "told" them rather than "commanding" them; he was giving Bnei Yisroel encouragement in doing the Mitzvos and how it kivyachol gives Hashem pleasure. It's important to give positive reinforcement to one who needs it in his service to Hashem; it rekindles the spark to do Mitzvos with happiness.

Yitro 5773

There is a famous Midrash based on 19:17 saying that Hashem lifted Mt. Sinai on top of Bnei Yisroel and He threatened them to accept the Torah or they will destroyed. The Kli Yakar explains that Bnei Yisroel was never forced to accept the Torah; they had already agreed to accept anything Hashem told them to do (19:8). Rather, Hashem was telling them that not keeping the Torah will be as if one is dead in this world. Keeping the Torah guarantees life in this world and the next world.

Bo 5773

This week's parsha contains one of the most famous Rambans in the Torah. The Ramban explains how important remembering the Exodus is. Since Hashem does not do supernatural miracles for every generation, we are to have a constant reminder of the Exodus and transmit it to our children. When we do a mitzvah such as mezuzah, we are acknowledging our belief in Hashem and He being the Creator of the world and that He also took us out from Egypt.

Va'era 5773

Hashem punishes the evildoers of the world by means of "Middah Kineged Middah"- measure for measure. The Midrash Tanchuma goes through every single plague and explains how Hashem punished the Egyptians measure for measure. For example, the 4th plague of wild animals was brought upon the Egyptians because they had ordered the Jews to bring back lions and bears from the wild in order to be used for sport. The wild animals were also completely removed from Egypt so that the Egyptians got no benefit from their skins.