Posts by Yaakov Klein
The Essence Beyond the Name
Our parsha begins with the words, “And you will command the b’nei Yisrael to bring to you refined olive oil, crushed, for illumination; to kindle the candles of Menorah.” This abrupt commencement, in addition to the obvious absence of Moshe’s name, highlights a fact that becomes clearer and clearer as we read on: Moshe’s name…
Read MoreTwo Golden Chains
“And two chains of pure gold, attach these to the edge of the Choshen…” The holy Modzhitzer teaches that this verse hints to the ways in which a Jew should approach work and making a living. Chazal related two foundational teachings which serve as guiding principles for a Jew’s engagement with the world of parnassah.…
Read MoreStones of Unity
IN THIS WEEK’S parsha, we learn that two stones are to be placed on the shoulder straps of the Eiphod of the Kohen Gadol, each bearing the names of six of the Shevatim. Rashi explains that the remembrance of these great tzaddikim before Hashem would aid the atonement process for the penitent sinners who visited…
Read MoreThe Unifying Thread
You shall make the beams for the Mishkan of acacia wood, upright. In this week’s parsha, Hashem commands the b’nei Yisrael to build a Mishkan, saying “V’asu Li mikdash veshachanti b’socham”, “Make for Me a sanctuary and I will dwell within it (besocham)“. Although the Mishkan was a single structure, the word “Besocham”, “and I…
Read MoreAnd I Shall Dwell Within
“Make for Me a temple and I shall dwell among them. Like all I am showing you… so shall it be made.” Noting the apparent form disagreement between the singular “mikdash” and the plural “b’socham”, the tzaddikim teach that in addition to commanding us to build a physical temple, Hashem is charging us with transforming…
Read MoreTaking is Giving
This week’s parsha opens with the commandment of “Vayikchu li Terumah”, “And take for Me an offering”, the contributions made by each individual Jew to the Mishkan. Rashi comments on the word “li” with a single word – “L’shmi”, “For My Name’s sake”. The contributions were to be given with intent to honor and glorify…
Read MoreShine Your Light!
In this week’s parsha, Hashem commands the b’nei Yisrael to build a Mishkan, saying, “V’asu Li mikdash veshachanti b’socham”, “Make for Me a sanctuary and I will dwell besocham“. Although the Mishkan was a single building, the word “Besocham”, “and I will dwell within it”, is plural, which, rendered literally, reads “and I will dwell…
Read MoreThe Antidote for Arrogance
Parshas Yisro ends with the halacha that the Kohanim must ascend the Mizbeach using a ramp instead of stairs. The reason for this is that the motion required for climbing stairs would cause their nakedness to be revealed, disrespecting the holiness of the Mizbeach. The Midrash poses two questions. First, why does the verse say…
Read MoreWith Both Inclinations
“If a man gives his friend money or vessels to watch and they are stolen from his house, if the thief is found he shall pay double.” One of the foundational ideas of Yiddishkeit is that avodas Hashem takes place on the battleground between the forces of the yetzer tov and the yetzer hara. We…
Read MoreThe Grand Synthesis of Jewish Living
From the very first verse, all of the parshios we have read thus far may be seen as a long process culminating in matan Torah. The unimaginable fire of parshas Yisro, reminiscent of a tremendous gush of love and yearning toward Hashem finds expression throughout the parsha from the very beginning to the very end.…
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