Weekly Newsletter Volume 2, Issue 20

September 17, 2022; Elul 21, 5782

Parsha In this week’s Parsha, we read about the process of how the Bikkurim, the first fruits, were brought. The Mishna (Bikkurim 3) explains that there was a grand and festive procession for those who were bringing their first fruits to Yerushalayim and then onto the Beis HaMikdash.

On the way, they were led by flutists and were greeted by dignitaries. There were stations (Ma'amados) with deputations representing the people of all the cities in the district assembled in the open squares to greet them...

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Weekly Newsletter Volume 2, Issue 19

September 10, 2022; Elul 14, 5782

Parsha This week’s Parsha discusses the concept of an Aishes Yefas To’ar – taking a captive woman. The Torah says, “…and you will take [her] for yourself as a wife.” (Devarim 21:11) Rashi explains that the Torah is addressing the Yetzer Hara. If the Torah did not provide a permissible manner of taking a captive woman, then some soldiers would take a captive woman in a manner that was not permissible.

The bolded word “lecha” – for yourself, in the above referenced Posuk appears to be superfluous. Who else would one be taking a wife for if not for yourself?...

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Weekly Newsletter Volume 2, Issue 18

September 3, 2022; Elul 7, 5782

Parsha In this week’s Parsha, we find that Hashem commanded Moshe to appoint judges and officers. The verse in Devarim 16:16 states: “You shall appoint judges and officers in all your gates [settlements] that Hashem your G-d is giving you, Lishvatecha - for your tribes, and they shall govern the people with due justice.”

The word “Lishvatecha” – for your tribes – seems to be misplaced. The Pasuk would read more smoothly and would appear more grammatically correct if the word had appeared right after the word “officers” earlier in the Pasuk...

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