Archive for the 'Commentary & Human Interest' Category

Parsha Vayikra 5770: Recognizing True, Strong, Yet Humble Leaders From Frauds

March 13th, 2010

By Moshe Burt
The first word of our parsha; Vayikra begs discussion of why the small “aleph” in Vayikra, and tells much about Moshe Rabbeinu’s level of principle, integrity and his standard of leadership of B’nei Yisrael.
We are told how Hashem, Kav’yochal, would call gently, affectionately “Moshe, Moshe” in a voice for Moshe Rabbeinu’s ears only […]

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
| del.icio.us del.icio.us | digg digg | Furl Furl | Reddit Reddit | YahooMyWeb YahooMyWeb |

Parshiyot Vayakhel/Pekudei 5770: Shabbos, the Mishkan and Accountability of National Leadership

March 6th, 2010

by Moshe Burt
The terms leadership, accountability and transparency have often been bandied about in contemporary Medinat Yisrael where dedication, diligence and overriding concern for the welfare of the Kahal have often been wanting as compared with the influence, enrichment, protexia and political agendization of the few, the privileged, the elitists.
Our Parsha Vayakhel is dedicated to […]

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
| del.icio.us del.icio.us | digg digg | Furl Furl | Reddit Reddit | YahooMyWeb YahooMyWeb |

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

February 28th, 2010

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 […]

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
| del.icio.us del.icio.us | digg digg | Furl Furl | Reddit Reddit | YahooMyWeb YahooMyWeb |

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

February 20th, 2010

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” […]

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
| del.icio.us del.icio.us | digg digg | Furl Furl | Reddit Reddit | YahooMyWeb YahooMyWeb |

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

February 13th, 2010

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 […]

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
| del.icio.us del.icio.us | digg digg | Furl Furl | Reddit Reddit | YahooMyWeb YahooMyWeb |

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

February 6th, 2010

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. […]

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
| del.icio.us del.icio.us | digg digg | Furl Furl | Reddit Reddit | YahooMyWeb YahooMyWeb |

Parshat Yithro 5770: Yithro and Bris Mila

February 6th, 2010

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 […]

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
| del.icio.us del.icio.us | digg digg | Furl Furl | Reddit Reddit | YahooMyWeb YahooMyWeb |

Parshat Yithro 5770: What Compelled Yithro to Join B’nai Yisrael?

January 30th, 2010

by, Moshe Burt
We learn that when Yithro had heard all that Hashem did for B’nai Yisrael, he left Midian with Tzippora and Moshe’s two sons and went to join with the Jews.
We are not absolutely certain as to whether any one specific event Yithro heard boosted him to circumcize himself and to go out to […]

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
| del.icio.us del.icio.us | digg digg | Furl Furl | Reddit Reddit | YahooMyWeb YahooMyWeb |

Parshat Beshalach 5770: Moshe’s Paradigm of Empathy: Applied Today?

January 23rd, 2010

by Moshe Burt
Near the end of our Parsha, we read “And the hands of Moshe were heavy and they took a rock and placed it under him and he sat on it.” (Sefer Sh’mos, Perek 17, posuk 12)
Rabbi Pliskin in Growth Through Torah cites a Rashi which states;
“that Moshe did not sit on […]

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
| del.icio.us del.icio.us | digg digg | Furl Furl | Reddit Reddit | YahooMyWeb YahooMyWeb |

Parshat Bo 5770: Tangible Darkness, Supernal Light and Jonathan Pollard — Revisited

January 16th, 2010

by Moshe Burt
Parshat Bo is the one which, for me, annually relates to that crazy tune which played back “in the Old Country” a few decades ago, “Does Your Korbon Pesach Lose It’s Flavor Tied to the Bedpost Overnight?” (Actually, the real title to the song was “Does Your Chewing Gum Lose It’s Flavor […]

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
| del.icio.us del.icio.us | digg digg | Furl Furl | Reddit Reddit | YahooMyWeb YahooMyWeb |