In Parshat Ki Tisa (Shmot 34:23), we read about “Aliya LaRegel,” the mitzvah to go up to Jerusalem on the holidays of Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot: Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Presence of the Master, HaShem, God of Israel. The next verse...
From the moment that B’nai Yisrael arrived in the wilderness, God protected them as we see in Shmot 13:21-22:And God went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; that they may go...
This past Wednesday, International Women’s Day was commemorated. You may have missed it if you live in a walled city from the days of Yehoshua like Jerusalem and were celebrating Shushan Purim or if you were still busy with carnivals and other fun festivities...
In Parshat Ki Tisa, when Moshe returned from Mount Sinai with the second set of Tablets, he was unaware that the skin of his face became radiant.In Shmot 34:33-35 we read: When Moshe finished speaking with them (B’nai Yisrael), he placed a cover (masveh) over...
In Parshat Mishpatim (Shmot 23: 20-24) we read:Behold, I will send an angel before you, to guard you on the way, and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. Be careful in his presence and obey his voice. Do not rebel against him; for he cannot pardon your...
In Parshat Ki Tisa (Shmot 31:16-17) we read a very familiar statement:“Veshamru B’nei Yisrael et HaShabbat la’asot et HaShabbat lidorotam brit olam…”“B’nei Yisrael shall observe Shabbat, to make Shabbat an eternal covenant...
In Parshat Ki Tisa we read about Chet HaEgel, the sin of the golden calf. How can it be that B’nei Yisrael are seeking other gods forty days after Maamad Har Sinai where they heard the commandments “I am the Lord” and “You shall have no...
How can it be that forty days after the Revelation at Sinai, B’nai Yisrael were already looking to worship other gods? After all, weren’t the first two of the Ten Commandments “I am the Lord” and “You shall have no other gods but...
In Shmot 31:13 we read the words: “You shall speak to B’nai Yisrael saying: Ach- Above all, you must observe my Shabbatot, for it is a sign between Me and you for your generations, to know that I am God who sanctifies you”. Who will...
In Parshat Ki Tisa, two sets of tablets are given by G-d to Moshe. Moshe shattered the first set as he descended from Mt. Sinai when he saw B’nai Yisrael worshipping the golden calf. The second set of tablets were given after Moshe pleaded with G-d to...
In Parshat Ki Tisa, the tribe of Levi, even in the toughest of times did not give up hope.Here is some background. God told Moshe to ascend Mt. Sinai in Shmot 24:12, "Come up to me to the mountain and remain there. I will give you the tablets of stone, the Torah...
When B’nai Yisrael prayed to a golden calf shortly after God’s revelation at Sinai, God told Moshe (Shmot 32: 9-10) “I have seen this people and behold it is a stiff-necked people. And now, desist from Me. Let my anger flare up against them and I...