Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11 – 34:35) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “And God spoke unto Moses: Take unto you sweet spices, stacte , onycha and galbanum , these sweet spices with pure frankincense , all of an equal weight.” (Exodus 30:34) One of the most unique aspects of the Sanctuary, continued …
Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Tetzaveh (Exodus 27:20 – 30:10) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “And you shall command the children of Israel… And you shall bring forth your brother Aaron and his sons together with him… And you shall speak to all of the wise-hearted.” (Exodus 27:20–28:3) Often what you really have is that which …
Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Terumah (Exodus 25:1- 27:19) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “According to the way I show you the pattern of the Sanctuary and the pattern of its vessels, so shall you make them.” (Exodus 25:9) What is the real purpose of the Sanctuary – the forerunner of the Holy Temple – …
Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1- 24:18) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “These are the statutes which you must place before them.” (Exodus 21:1) If two religiously observant Jews are engaged in a disagreement which has financial ramifications, are they permitted to go to a secular court to arbitrate their dispute or must …
Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Yitro (Exodus 18:1-20:23) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “And Jethro the Priest of Midian, the father-in-law of Moses, heard all that God had done for Moses and his people; that He had taken Israel out of Egypt.” (Exodus 18:1) This Torah portion records how Jethro, Moses’ Midianite father-in-law, heard of …
This week’s “Shabbat Shalom” has been dedicated by Sylvia and Avi Tuchman in honor of their grandchildren Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Beshalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “This is my God ve-anveihu, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.” (Exodus 15:2) What is the best way to give thanks to God? …
Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Bo (Exodus 10:1-13:16) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “And God said unto Moses: ‘Go in unto Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might show these My signs in the midst of them.’” (Exodus 10:1) Why does God declare that He has “hardened Pharaoh’s heart” …
This week’s “Shabbat Shalom” has been dedicated in memory of Florence Bryskin, Tziporah bas Mayer Yitzchok on the occasion of her yahrzeit – 22 Tevet Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Va’era (Exodus 6:2-9:35) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “And God spoke to Moses and said unto him, I am the Lord, and I appeared unto …
Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Shemot (Exodus 1:1-6:1) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, and God of our fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob…” (The Opening Blessing of the Amida) The opening of the Amida prayer stops with Jacob’s name. But why should …
Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Vayechi (Genesis 47:28-50:26) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt for seventeen years, so the whole age of Jacob was one hundred and forty-seven years. And the days of Jacob drew near to die…” (Gen. 47:28, 29) The final verse of the last portion of …
Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Vayigash (Genesis 44:18 – 47:27) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “And Joseph fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck.” (Gen. 45:14) This poignant moment when these two brothers are reunited after a separation of twenty-two years is one of the most tender scenes …
Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Miketz (Genesis 41:1 – 44:17) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “And Pharaoh said to Joseph, I had a dream last night, and no one is able to interpret it….” (Gen. 41: 15) There is an unusual symmetry in the portion of Miketz as well as in Vayeshev, both of which deal …
