by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The age of the “red cow” is in dispute. According to Rabbi Eliezer is was brought at the age of 2; according to the sages it was brought at the age of 3. The medrash tells us that when Moshe was taught the topic and was told of the dispute, he more »
by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine One of the fascinating points about the Sanctuary service is the way they disposed of the ashes from the Altar. Each morning a Kohein would take a small portion of ash from yesterday’s sacrifices, and would place it next to the Altar. Afterwards the Kohein would remove the rest of the more »
by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Vayikra-G-d’s Secret Parshas Vayikra describes the system of sacrificial offerings, including the offerings of atonement. The Torah describes how a person may sometimes fail in his service of G-d and how he can rise up once again to restore his relationship. There are many lessons to be learned from the mitzvah more »
By Rabbi Mordechai Rhine This week’s Parsha discusses the Korbanos/ offerings which people would bring in the time of the Beis Hamikdash. Since the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash these offerings are not available to us as a means of connecting with Hashem. Instead, we are told, it is through prayer that a person can more »
Every generation has its special people. In Egypt two such people were called Shifra and Puah. Shifra and Puah were not their real names. Shifra’s real name was Yocheved, and would later give birth to Moshe. Puah was her daughter, known to us by her real name, Miriam. But as the midwives of the Jewish more »
Moshe is frustrated. Hashem told him to go to Pharoh and demand the release of the Jewish People. Moshe did so, and expected that the terrible slavery would abate as a result. Instead, Paroh increased the workload of the Jews. At the conclusion of last week’s portion Moshe turns to Hashem in frustration. “Why have You more »
Compulsive Greatness by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine One of the great enigmas in the story of the Exodus is Pharoh’s behavior. Each time a plague hits, Pharoh promises to release the Jews. Each time a plague ends and the threat is no longer imminent, Pharoh reverts to his position that the Jews must remain as slaves. more »
The Parsha of Mishpatim/ laws begins with the law of the Jewish slave. The Jewish slave is quite unique in that he isn’t much of a slave at all. He must indeed serve his master with loyalty, but he in turn is treated in royal fashion. Our sages teach for example, “If there is only more »
The Mishkan was a special place. The ambiance was structured so that here one could connect with Hashem in a very special way. Each one of the utensils was fashioned in a way that symbolized greatness. The Aron, for example, was structured with half measures (1 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 2 1/2) to symbolize more »
The Aron, or Ark, of the Sanctuary was fashioned in a most sophisticated way. In addition to the crown and ornaments adorning its top, the Aron was fashioned of three different boxes. The inner box was made of gold, the middle box was made of wood, and the outer box was made of gold. What more »