Corporate Torah

Shabbat Parshat Korach Dvar Torah The rebellion of Korach against Moshe’s leadership is reflected in the Mishna in Avot (5:17) as the prototypical negative dispute antithetical to ways of the Torah. Korach’s dispute was born out of personal interests - though part of the Levite elite, Korach was angry at being excluded from the Kehuna (priesthood). Contrarily though, he propelled himself forward with a populist egalitarian agenda, that all were equal and Moshe had no right to lead the nation. The cynical rabblerousing of others for personal gain is part of what relegates Korach’s rebellion to oblivion. On the other hand, the Mishna cites another class of disputes which are celebrated – the disputes between the sages Hillel and Shamai which are made in heaven’s name and are lauded as being “upheld” – that the dispute should remain in place. Jewish tradition places great value on believing in what is right and acting upon it, provided that one’s intentions are pure and sincere. Throu...

Shabbat Parshat Beha’alotcha Dvar Torah This week’s parsha features the mitzva of the Chatzotzrot – the trumpets – which were blown at the time of the Temple service as well as at times of danger and great need. The Sefer HaChinuch explains that the blast of a trumpet awakens us and leads us to marshal our thoughts and concentrate in prayer. Perhaps, behind the Mitzva and the Chinuch’s explanation, is an idea that at moments which are awe-inspiring and overwhelming like the Temple service or times of grave danger, our natural human inclination may be to stay silent or disengage out of confusion. However, the Torah instructs us to do exactly the opposite and to sound the trumpet and actively awaken ourselves in hope and prayer. In contemporary times as well, I believe that each of us carries our own “trumpet” – our own call to action in times of need. We all have active ways of stepping up to the plate and showing that we are present, attentive, and engaged in what is going on aroun...

  Shavuot Dvar Torah Shavuot has 3 aspects to it, as an agricultural holiday it signifies the beginning of the summer harvest and the official commencement of bringing the Bikkurim - the first fruit - to Jerusalem. It also is the 50th day since Passover and we celebrate the completion of the seven weeks of the Omer cycle. Finally, according to our sages it also commemorates the giving of the Torah at Sinai. Together, these three aspects signify a departure from the more passive events of Passover where we were led in the miraculous exodus from Egypt towards a more proactive service of G-d in Eretz Yisrael. We grow and bring the fruit, we count the Omer day by day, and we strive to be diligent in our Torah study. In totality, Shavuot represents our acceptance of Mitzvot and our commitment and tenacity in proactively keeping them. About Shavuot Shavuot commences tonight and goes out on Tuesday evening (except in Israel where it is completed already Monday evening). Its o...