Beha'atlocha (2025)

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 around us – and of rallying those around us to pray and do our very best for a brighter future.

Writing from Oslo with my heart in Eretz Yisrael

Shabbat Shalom and Besorot Tovot

Comments

Ki-Tavoh (2025)

Shabbat Parshat Ki-Tavoh Dvar Torah – Judaism’s Day 1 Culture As Moshe concludes his review of the commandments on the banks of the Jordan, he tells the people: “On this day Hashem your G-d commands you to observe these laws.” The wording is striking— why “on this day”? Wasn’t this already commanded at Sinai? The classic commentator Rashi explains that the Torah is reminding us to approach it as if every day were “Day 1” —fresh, new, and full of energy. That’s not easy. But the way we can keep Torah alive is by making it personal. When we learn, reflect, and discover new insights, we’re not just repeating old lessons—we’re expanding them, renewing them, and incorporating them in our own lives today. At this point when Moshe concludes his own masterclass (see Ramban), he hands us the baton to keep learning, discovering, and letting that continual renewal be the source of ongoing excitement and purpose in Jewish life. Trivia Following Shabbat, Ashkenazim will ...

Chayei Sarah (2025)

Shabbat Chayei-Sarah Dvar Torah – The Legacy of Lech-L’cha Abraham — like any Jewish father — is worried. Sarah has passed away, Isaac has come of age, and he needs to find his son a wife. What follows is the legendary narrative of Eliezer, Abraham’s trusted servant, journeying to Aram-Naharayim — Abraham’s homeland — where he miraculously encounters Rebecca. Her kindness and generosity shine through immediately, and she unhesitatingly says “yes.” But why did Isaac need a wife from abroad? The same question arises with Jacob — why were the women of Canaan unsuitable for the patriarchs? I once heard a beautiful insight from my sister (whose given name, incidentally, is Rebecca). The defining trait of our patriarchs was their willingness to venture into the unknown in response to God’s call. Abraham heard the command of “Lech Lecha” — to leave behind everything familiar — and he went on to the Promised Land. To join this family and become the mothers of the Jewish people, the mat...

Ki-Teitzei (2025)

Shabbat Parshat Ki-Teitzei Dvar Torah - Cultivating a caring mindset This week’s parsha teaches the mitzvah of Shichecha (lit. “forgotten”) - that farmers must leave forgotten bundles in the field for the poor, adding a promise “so that G-d will bless you in all your work” ( Deu. 24:19 ). Normally, the Torah does not spell out the reward for mitzvot, but Rashi explains that here the Torah highlights this blessing to teach us that even an unintentional mitzvah – done simply by forgetting – still merits reward. But why should something unintentional merit reward? Perhaps an answer can be found in Rav Hirsch who explains that Shichecha is meant to change us as people, conditioning our state of mind away from our natural inclination to amass wealth, to one of largesse towards the poor. When we live our lives in a mindset of contribution and care, even deeds we do unintentionally are inspired by a sense of awareness for the needs of others and are sur...

Corporate Torah

Search This Blog