Reigning on the parade The Medrash on this week’s parsha tells us that among the revelations that were revealed to Moshe, was, “Each generation and its wise people; each generation and its leaders.” Then the Medrash adds something that seems peculiar. The Medrash says that he was also shown, “Each generation and its wicked ones; more »
In the After Math by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The death of Ahron’s two sons hit the people very hard. It happened on inauguration day of the Mishkan, the Sanctuary they had dedicated so much to build. The Mishkan was supposed to be a “Love Palace” between G-d and the people. Now, two noble sons were more »
“I Don’t Know” by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Dear Rebbe, It happened about midyear during fifth grade. It was our first week learning Talmud, and we were finding it both invigorating and challenging. The vocabulary was new, so were the concepts. It was a very sophisticated level of logic. And then it happened. We saw the more »
Challenging the Myth by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine When Hashem showed Moshe the various afflictions called Tzoraas, Moshe became fearful. Hashem told him, “Do not worry. The ultimate goal of Tzoraas is to bring about goodness.” In what was does the affliction of Tzoraas bring about good? One type of Tzoraas is when the affliction appears more »
Role Play by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Role play is an effective way to appreciate a situation from a someone else’s vantage point. Also, it enables a person to consider the proper behavior if they were to find themselves in a different situation. By assigning a proposed “Role” to a person they get to “try it more »
Staying on Track by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The Parsha begins by telling us that the mitzvos that follow were given at Sinai. Rashi wonders what the significance of this statement is, and explains: The Torah is teaching us that the details of all mitzvos are also from Sinai (i.e. from G-d’s revelation). This, indeed, is more »
The Relationship of a Lifetime by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The Kohein/ Jewish priest was an important person in Jewish life. He was a mentor, a role model, and the one who brought the offerings in the Beis Hamikdash. A person was able, and encouraged, to develop a relationship with a Kohein. But for all the more »
“I think I can’t” by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Tzoraas was an ailment that afflicted a person because of his sins. It was G-d’s way of communicating a need for improvement. There were many different forms in which the ailment could come. Most well known is the Tzoraas that afflicted a person’s skin, in a leprosy-like more »
The Cleaning Lady by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The offerings, or Korbanos as they were called, were an integral part of the service in the Sanctuary and later in the Beis Hamikdash. Besides the daily offerings that were brought by the nation, there were a variety of Korbanos that could be offered by the individual. There more »
by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Seder means order. And order is important. Take Pesach preparations for example. Did you ever try to Kosher the kitchen before cleaning it? Or, buy all your Pesach products before making place to put them? Doing things in order is truly the theme of the holiday. This is especially true at more »