Parsha Ki Tisa 5770 — Torah Principle and Standing Up to Immoral Law

By Moshe Burt

For many years, this author has spoken or written about a posuk in Parsha Ki Tisa which alludes to an event which is recorded in Torah 40 years later, in a subsequent Parsha.

The posuk being referred to (Sh’mos, Perek 30, posuk 30) says that while Moshe Rabbeinu was on Har Sinai being given Torah, Hashem said;

“You shall anoint Aaron and his sons and sanctify them to minister (to serve) me.”

This seemingly obscure posuk which pops up in a couple of slightly different forms in both Parsha Tetzaveh and in our Parsha raises a challenging question which cuts to the chase of what we continue to face today. The question is; what about that Pinchas Ben Elazar? Why was he not anointed as a Kohen with his brothers? read more

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Parshat Tetzaveh 5770 — The Urim U’Tumim, Divine Inspiration and Common Sense

by Moshe Burt

In our Parsha Tetzaveh, the laws regarding the annointment, the vestments and the Avodah (service) of the Kohanim are enunciated for the Jewish people.

While preparing this Parsha HaShavua, this author came across a puzzling quote in Torah Gems by Aharon Yaakov Greenberg on our Parsha.

The quote, attributable to someone called “Akeidah” and which is cited (pg 192) relates to perek 28, parsha 15; “And you will make the breastplate of judgement with the work of an artisan…” reads; read more

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Parshat Terumah 5770: The Mishkan, Terumah and the “Crown of a Good Name”

by, Moshe Burt

Back in Philadelphia, in the “old country”, R’ Moshe Ungar would speak about the Mizbeiyach in terms of both the Beit HaMikdash and in terms of the personal Mizbeiyach which burns eternally in our hearts. And there is the well-known wish to a Chosson and Kallah that the fire of the personal Mizbeiyach burn eternally.

In our Parsha, we begin learning about the construction and the contents of the Mishkan.

The Shem Mishmuel [Parsha Terumah, pg. 169-172) cites R’ Shimon who said; read more

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Parshat Mishpatim 5770: The Making of Jewish Standards — Honesty, Principle and Unity

by, Moshe Burt

Parshat Yithro concludes with the high moment to date in world history; The Asseret HaDibrot (The 10 Statements) on the 6th day of the month of Sivan and Parshat Mishpatim begins teaching how The Asseret HaDibrot are the basis for a multitude of other laws, halachot designed to strengthen the Jewish nation. The laws taught in Parshat Mishpatim emphasize honesty, righteousness and showing kindness to one’s fellow Jews.

Although Torah places Yithro’s advise as to appointment of Judges and the formation of B’nai Yisrael’s Justice and Judicial systems in the parsha bearing his name, it seems fitting in Parshat Mishpatim to discuss Yithro’s advice and contributions to the system in light of the halachot taught in our parsha. read more

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Parshat Yithro 5770: Yithro and Bris Mila

by Moshe Burt

This past Wednesday, this author bumped into a neighbor in the same building while going to pick up the mail in the neighborhood postal
area box. This neighbor told that another neighbor in our building had just had a boy. So after saying Mazel Tov to the father, the thought occurred on the way to the postal box; Did Yithro have Bris Mila?

This author had forgotten that Yithro did, indeed, have Bris Mila as indicated in the earlier vort on the Parsha, although being hard pressed to remember how we learn it out. read more

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