Parshat Tzav In-Depth “The expression tzav (“command”) implies an urging for now and for future generations. (Torat Kohanim; Rashi) The king Moshiach will arise and restore the kingdom of David to its glory of old, to its original sovereignty. He…
Parshat Vayikra In-Depth “Said Rav Assi: Why do young children begin [the study of Torah] with the book of Leviticus, and not with Genesis? Surely it is because young children are pure, and the korbanot are pure; so let the…
Parshat Vayakhel In-Depth and Parshat Pekudei In-Depth “Moses assembled the entire congregation of the children of Israel (35:1) This was on the morning after Yom Kippur, the day that Moses descended from the mountain [with the second tablets]. (Rashi)” ……
Parshat Mishpatim In-Depth “And these are the laws which you shall set before them (Exodus 21:1) The phrase “and these” (ve’eileh) implies that they are a continuation of what is written before. This is to teach us that just as…
Parshat Yitro In-Depth “Jethro, the priest of Midian, the father-in-law of Moses, heard of all that G‑d did for Moses and His people Israel, that G‑d had taken Israel out of Egypt (18:1) Of what did he hear that he…
Parshat Beshalach In-Depth “G‑d did not lead them through the way of the land of the Philistines (13:17) The tribe of Ephraim had erred and departed from Egypt 30 years before the destined time, with the result that three hundred…
Parshat Bo In-Depth “G‑d said to Moses: ‘Come in to Pharaoh’ (10:1) Rabbi Shimon [bar Yochai] continued: It is now fitting to reveal mysteries connected with that which is above and that which is below. Why is it written, ‘Come…
Parshat Vaeira In-Depth “G‑d spoke to Moses, and said to him: ‘I am G‑d. I revealed Myself to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob’ (6:2–3) G‑d said to Moses: I regret the loss of those who have passed away and…
Parshat Shemot In-Depth “And these are the names of the children of Israel who came into Egypt . . . Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah (Exodus 1:1–2) Although G‑d had already counted them in their lifetime, He again counted them…
Parshat Vayechi In-Depth “When Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch (1789–1866) was a child attending cheder, his teacher taught the verse ‘Jacob lived for seventeen years in the land of Egypt’ according to the commentary of the Baal HaTurim—that Jacob lived…
