Alone (Tazria Metzora)

The Torah tells us that the punishment of the metzora is to sit alone outside the camp (Vayikra 13:46). Chazal compare this to the opening possuk in Eicha, where Yerushalayim sits alone (Pesichta Medrash Eicha). It would seem that it is a punishment to sit alone, both...

Up and Out (Parshas Shmini)

Towards the end of our parsha, after theTorah describes the animals we are not allowed to eat, Hashem reminds Klal Yisroel that He took them out of Mitzrayim. We should refrain from eating those prohibited animals because Hashem brought us out of Mitzrayim. But...

Victory of Kedusha (Acharon Shel Pesach)

The haftorah we read on Acharon Shel Pesach speaks of the neis that Chizkiyahu and his generation experienced. The army of the greatest superpower of the time, San’cheirv’s Ashur, was destroyed in one night by the walls of Yerushalayim. We read this haftorah read on...

Awe and Song (Shvi’i Shel Pesach)

After the wonderful nissim of kri’as Yam Suf and immediately before the Shiras Hayam, the Torah tells us that Klal Yisroel feared Hashem. In Hallel too, we speak of kri’as Yam Suf and we end that second paragraph with the words “chuli aretz” we tell the earth to fear...