Shabbat Shalom: Chol HaMoed Sukkot By Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – What is the true symbolism of the succa? The Talmud (B.T. Succa 11b) cites a difference of opinion between Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Eliezer as to whether the succa commemorates the actual huts in which the Israelites dwelt in the desert, or the “clouds… Continue Reading “Shabbat Shalom” – Sukkot 5779
Rabbi Shlomo Riskin’s Shabbat Shuva 5779 Drasha (English) TOPIC: “Today the world was conceived” – Today the First Human was Created in God’s Image: Halakhic and Theological Ramifications Regarding the Status of a Non-Jew, and Israel as a Nation-State of the Jewish People. Delivered in memory of Gini and Hans Bachrach z”l at Midreshet Lindenbaum’s Chana and… Continue Reading Shabbat Shuva 5779 – Video
Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Haazinu (Deuteronomy 32:1- 32:52) By Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “Remember the days of yore, understand the years (shenot) of each generation.” (Deuteronomy 32:7) Are we commanded to study world history? Certainly, I would say, on the basis of the simple meaning of the verse cited at the head of this commentary… Continue Reading “Shabbat Shalom” – Haazinu 5779
Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Vayelech Deuteronomy (31:1- 31:30) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “And I will surely hide My face on that day for all the evils which they shall have perpetrated, in that they have turned to other gods.” (Deuteronomy 31:18) But how do we narrow the gulf between a hidden God and a… Continue Reading “Shabbat Shalom” – Vayelech 5779
This week’s “Shabbat Shalom” column has been dedicated in loving memory of Harry Sher – Hillel ben Chona, z”l on the occasion of his 21nd Yahrzeit (2 Tishrei) by the Charif family in Sydney, Australia Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Nitzavim (Deuteronomy 29:9 – 30:20) By Shlomo Riskin… Continue Reading “Shabbat Shalom” – Nitzavim 5778
Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1–29:8) By Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “When you come to the land which the Lord your God gives to you as an inheritance and you inherit it…. You shall take from the first of all the fruits of the earth which you shall bring from your land…. And… Continue Reading “Shabbat Shalom” – Ki Tavo 5778
Parshat Ki Tetze (Deuteronomy 21:10–25:19) Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “When you go forth to battle against your enemies, and God your Lord delivers them into your hands, and you…see among the captives a woman of beauty, and you desire her, you may take her to be your wife. When you bring her home,… Continue Reading “Shabbat Shalom” – Ki Tetze 5778
Parshat Shoftim (Deuteronomy 16:18–21:9) Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “Judges and Executors of Justice shall you establish for yourselves in all of your gates…. Justice, justice shall you pursue in order that you may live and inherit the land which the Lord your God is giving to you.” (Deuteronomy 16:18–20) In this opening passage… Continue Reading “Shabbat Shalom” – Shoftim 5778
Parshat Re’eh (Deuteronomy 11:26–16:17) Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “You shall smite, yes smite, all of the inhabitants of that city by the sword…and you shall burn entirely with fire the city and all of it spoils to the Lord your God, and it shall be an everlasting desolation (tel); it shall not be… Continue Reading “Shabbat Shalom” – Re’eh 5778
Parshat Ekev (Deuteronomy 7:12–11:25) Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “And now Israel what does the Lord Your G-d ask of you, only to revere the Lord your G-d and to walk in all of His ways, and to love Him and to serve the Lord your G-d with all your heart and with all… Continue Reading “Shabbat Shalom” – Ekev 5778
Parshat Vaetchanan (Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11) Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – ‘Comfort you, comfort you, My People’ (Isaiah 40:1) The Shabbat after Tisha B’Av is known as the Shabbat of Comfort, a phrase taken from the first verse of the prophetic reading from Isaiah. Additionally, a most fascinating festival day—one which is unfortunately not very well… Continue Reading “Shabbat Shalom” – Vaetchanan 5778
Parshat Devarim (Deuteronomy 1:1–3:22) Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “Zion shall be redeemed because of her moral justice and her children shall return to her because of her compassionate righteousness” (Isaiah 1:27). The Shabbat before the bleak day of Tisha Be’Av, the fast commemorating the destruction of both Holy Temples, is called Shabbat Hazon,… Continue Reading “Shabbat Shalom” – Devarim 5778
