Nadav and Avihu: The Importance of Precision

In this week's Torah portion we read about Nadav and Avihu, Aaron's sons, who were Kohanim. We learn that they offer a "strange fire" to Hashem in the Mishkan (the tabernacle) and as a result they perish. Imagine that for a second; Aaron's sons perished for providing a slightly altered offering to Hashem. Nowadays people… Continue reading Nadav and Avihu: The Importance of Precision

Part Two: The National and Personal Lessons We Learn From the Story of Shechem

What Are We To Learn From The Shechem Massacre? The lesson here is twofold: personal and national. However, before we dive into those two lessons, I want to remind you of two quotes that encompass the two lessons, “Should he treat our sister as a harlot?” (Bereishit 34:31), and “Then they travelled, and the fear… Continue reading Part Two: The National and Personal Lessons We Learn From the Story of Shechem

Part One: The City of Shechem and the Case for Collective Punishment

Summary of the Story Parsha Vayishlach is filled with numerous important events. However, I would like to focus on one that pries at our modern sensibilities: the story of Shechem. Allow me first to give a small summary. Yaakov temporarily settled before the city of Shechem. Dinah, his only daughter, went out to meet the… Continue reading Part One: The City of Shechem and the Case for Collective Punishment

Avraham, Sodom, and Yitzhak, How the Three Are Connected

Introduction In Parsha Vayera, “the LORD said (to Avraham), ‘The outrage of Sodom and Gomorrah is so great, and their sin so grave! I will go down to see whether they have acted altogether according to the outcry that has reached Me; if not, I will take note.’” (Bereishit 18:20-21) Avraham, then proceeded to plead… Continue reading Avraham, Sodom, and Yitzhak, How the Three Are Connected