Archive for the 'Commentary & Human Interest' Category

Rosh Hashana 5772: R’Amnon, Unesaneh Tokef and How We Stack Up vs Anti-Torah Governance?

September 20th, 2011

by Moshe Burt
Each Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, we daven the Unesaneh Tokef as part of the Mussaf tefillah and, for a number of years, this author reiterates the background behind the Chief Rabbi of Mainz R’ Amnon and his composition of the Unesaneh Tokef.
The story behind the Unesaneh Tokef tefillah (expressing the seriousness of […]

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Blog Now Offering Offering Sponsorship(s) for Weekly Parsha

September 16th, 2011

Shalom and L’Shana Tova Friends and Subscribers;
I am writing to announce that a Sponsorship program has been established regarding my (weekly) Parshiyot HaShevua and to encourage your participation as sponsors of the weekly Parshat HaShevua email.
Now you can celebrate a Simcha — a birth, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, a Chassuna or other Simcha event in your […]

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Parshiyot Nitzavim/Vayeilech 5771: Asserting and Taking Mutual Responsibility — Key to The Ge’ula?

September 12th, 2011

by Moshe Burt
Our Parsha Nitzavim sets the tone for this doubleheader parshiyot by opening with Moshe Rabbeinu addressing the B’nai Yisrael on the final day of his life:
“Atem Nitzavim HaYom… You are standing today, all of you, before Hashem, your G’d…. for you to pass into the convenant of Hashem, …that Hashem… seals with you […]

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Parsha Ki Tavo 5771 — Deep Meaning Behind Bikkurim and The Impact Of Intent in Mitzvot

September 6th, 2011

by Moshe Burt
Ki Tavo opens by detailing the Halachot of Bikkurim — the first fruits which were brought to the Kohen as a thanksgiving as well as both remembrance of Pharaoh’s cruelty and Hashem’s deliverance of B’nai Yisrael from Mitzrayim to a land flowing with milk and honey.
The Stone Chumash on Parsha Ki Tavo […]

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Parsha Ki Teitsei 5771: Kindness, Unity and Collective Responsibility vs Acquiescense to Evil

August 29th, 2011

by Moshe Burt
Parsha Ki Teitsei teaches numerous Mitzvot such as; returning lost items to their rightful owners, loaning money to one’s fellow Jew free from interest, what one is permitted to or prohibited from taking from another Jew as loan security, Shatnes (wool and linen together), Tzitzit, and dealing fairly and truthfully with one’s fellow […]

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Parshat Shoftim 5771: Justice in Judgement Bein Adam L’Chaveiro, or Modern-Day S’dom?

August 22nd, 2011

by Moshe Burt
The third posuk of our Parsha reads;
“Tzedek, Tzedek tierdof…” Righteousness, righteousness (also rendered Justice, Justice) you shall pursue that you may live and inherit the land which the Lord, your G’d gives you.” (Sefer Devarim, Perek 16, posuk 20)
This posuk follows immediately after the opening of our Parsha in which Moshe Rabbeinu […]

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Parsha R’ei 5771 — The Kindness and Perceptiveness of Chessed vs the Plight of the Expelled in Year 6

August 15th, 2011

by Moshe Burt
According to Rashi, Moshe Rabbeinu begins our Parsha R’ei by informing the B’nei Yisrael about the blessing and the curse to be pronounced to them upon their entry to Eretz Yisrael from Mount Gerizim and Mount Eval.
Moshe Rabbeinu continues his mussar saying:
“Behold, I set before you … a blessing and a curse; the […]

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Parsha Eikev 5771: The Eikev Mitzvot and Self-Centeredness, Conceit and Indifference

August 7th, 2011

by Moshe Burt
Sefer Shem Mishmuel (by R’ Shmuel Bornstein, as translated by R’ Zvi Belovski, pages 386-387) renders translation of the opening posuk of Parsha Eikev:
“And it shall come to pass, if you listen to these mishpatim (ordinances) and you guard them and do them, that Hashem Ke’ilokecha will guard the convenant for you and […]

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Parshat Va’etchanan 5771 — Consolation: Maintaining Hope After Expulsion of Jews by Israeli Governance?

August 2nd, 2011

by Moshe Burt
The Haftorah for our Parsha begins:
“Nachamu, Nachamu Ami yomar Elokeichem” — “Comfort, comfort my people — says your G’d.” (Yishaiya, 40:1)
This sentiment seems to be silent, but yet a theme of Parsha Va’etchanan.
In the beginning of Parsha, Moshe Rabbeinu recalls for the B’nai Yisrael how he entreated Hashem for permission […]

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Devarim 5771: Bringing True Jewish Leadership and Taking Back Israel

July 27th, 2011

by Moshe Burt
A number of years ago, Rav Aba Wagensberg spoke out in a shiur that Sefer Devarim represents Moshe Rabbeinu’s Mussar to B’nai Yisrael as the time of his death drew near.
He explained that near the end of Sefer BaMidbar, we began to see indications, via the story of Zelafchad’s daughters, as well as […]

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