Wanted: Dead & Alive by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine “If you will go in My laws, and observe My commandments…” So begins the description of Hashem’s blessings if we will conduct ourselves in the ways of Torah. But the statement seems redundant. What does it mean to “go” in the laws, that would not have been more »
by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine In this week’s portion we learn about a most interesting type of slavery: the slavery of the Jewish slave. The Torah describes how a poor Jew decides to sell himself as a slave to another Jew. The Torah allows him to do it. But it is a slavery unlike any other. more »
The Shabbos Elevator by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine When the Torah describes the Sanctuary offerings it states an interesting rule. “From eight days on an animal will be accepted.” The Medrash explains that the requirement to wait eight days is so that every animal should first greet the Shabbos before being offered to G-d. The Medrash 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 »
Rabbi Mordechai Rhine ~ www.teach613.org Bireishis / Genesis Chapter 18, ArtScroll Chumash Pages 78-85 What was Avraham doing outside, “in the heat of the day”? A) He was waiting for a bus B) He was hoping for guests C) He was waiting for an ambulance D) He was hoping for Lot to come more »
Rabbi Mordechai Rhine ~ www.teach613.org Bireishis / Genesis Chapter 19, ArtScroll Chumash Pages 84-91 Who hosts the angels when they get to Sedom? What does he serve them? Why? (verses 1-3, commentary to verse 3) What did the people of Sedom want Lot to do to the guests? Why? (verse 5, more »
Rabbi Mordechai Rhine ~ www.teach613.org Bireishis / Genesis Chapter 20, ArtScroll Chumash Pages 90-95 Give two reasons that caused Avraham to relocate from his location near Sedom. (commentary introducing Chapter 20) How was Avraham related to Sarah? What did he claim? (verse 2) What did Avimelech do? (verse 2) more »