At the end of Sefer Shemos, the Torah describes the craftsmanship of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and how it was shown to Moshe. Specifically, the Torah enumerates the following items that were brought to Moshe (Shemos 39:39): “The Copper Altar and its copper meshwork, its staves, and all its utensils, the Laver and the base.” The mention of the Laver is puzzling, because earlier the Torah specifies that “seventy talents and two thousand four hundred shekels” of copper were donat

At the beginning of this week’s parsha, Vayakhel, which deals with the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), the Torah interjects the subject of Shabbos (Shemos 35:3): “On six days, work (מלאכה) may be done, but the seventh day shall be holy for you, a day of complete rest for Hashem; whoever does work on it shall be put to death.” We learn from the juxtaposition of the Shabbos with the construction of the Mishkan that the Torah’s definition of forbidden “work” on the Sha

In Megillas Esther, Chapter 2 describes how Esther was chosen as Queen over the entire kingdom. We then read how Mordechai foiled the plot of Bigthan and Teresh to assassinate the King. The Megillah tells us (Esther 2:23): “The matter was investigated and corroborated, and they were both hanged on a gallows. It was recorded in the book of chronicles in the King’s presence.” The very next pasuk states (Ibid. 3:1): “ After these things, King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, the son

In this week’s parsha, the Torah describes the garments worn by the Kohen Gadol (High Priest). The Torah says (Shemos 28:31): “You shall make the Robe (מעיל) of the Ephod entirely of turquoise wool (תכלת).” The Torah adds (28:33-34): “You shall make … a gold bell and a pomegranate, a gold bell and a pomegranate on the hem of the robe, all around. It must be on Aharon in order to minister. Its sound shall be heard when he enters the Sanctuary before Hashem and when he leaves,

The Torah sets forth in this week’s parsha the details of constructing the Menorah. Regarding the lamps of the Menorah, the Torah states (Shemos 25:37) : “You shall make its lamps seven; he shall raise up its lamps so as to give light towards its face.” The pasuk is difficult to understand. What does it mean to “raise up its lamps”, and how does that “give light towards its face?” Furthermore, what is the “face” of the Menorah? The Mizrachi explains that this pasuk cannot be

The Torah tells us (Shemos 23:5): “If you shall see the donkey of your hater lying under his burden, will you allow yourself to leave it to him? You must forsake everything and hasten to his aid.” The Torah tells us that despite hating someone, if you see his donkey suffering under its burden, you are obligated to help that person and relieve the donkey from its suffering. There are two positive aspects for helping. First, there is potentially a Torah commandment to prevent

This week’s parsha features the Aseres HaDibros , popularly known as the Ten Commandments. The Torah describes the tenth one: “You shall not covet (לא תחמוד ) your fellow’s house. You shall not covet (לא תחמוד) your fellow’s wife, his manservant, his maidservant, his ox, his donkey nor anything that belongs to your fellow.” (Shemos 20:14). The tenth commandment in Sefer Devarim is slightly different: “And you shall not covet (לא תחמוד) your fellow’s wife, you shall not desire

The Torah tells us that after crossing the Red Sea, the Jews at Mara received their first instructions in the desert. The Torah says that “there He established a decree and an ordinance." (Shemos 15:25). The commentators offer many different explanations for what this “decree” and “ordinance” were. Rashi says that the Bnai Yisroel were given sections of the Torah detailing fundamental commandments: the mitzvos of Shabbos, regular laws, and the laws of the Red Heifer. Rashi u

At the end of the parsha, as the Jews are leaving Egypt, G-d introduces the mitzvah of tefillin: “It shall be a sign upon your arm (ידכה) and an ornament between your eyes, for with a strong hand Hashem removed us from Egypt.” (Shemos 13:16). On which hand should the tefillin be placed? One might think that the tefillin should always be placed on the left arm, because that would make the tefillin opposite the heart. However, the Talmud (Menachos 37a) learns that because the T

The Torah says (Shemos 6:13), “G-d spoke to Moshe and Aharon and commanded them ( ויצום ) regarding the Children of Israel and regarding...