“Abraham approached God” (18:23)  Since Avraham excelled in the attribute of kindness, it is somewhat surprising to find that he “spoke harshly” with God, arguing aggressively for the salvation of Sodom (Rashi v.23). This teaches us that, when faced with the task of saving another’s life, a person may be required to overcome his natural disposition [...]

The Mishnah states that Avraham was tried by ten tests (Avos 5:3). First, Nimrod sought to kill him because of his belief in the One God, which forced Avraham into hiding for 13 years. Secondly, on refusing to bow down to an idol, Avraham was thrown into the fire by Nimrod, only to be saved [...]

“They did not see their father’s nakedness” (9:23) When a person sees another stumble in an inappropriate act, there are two possible reactions: a) one is disgusted by the act, or b)one thinks what can be done to help the person. Cham took the former approach, “he looked at his father’s nakedness” (v. 22) i.e. [...]

God’s completion of His work. Why did God deem it necessary to continue working all the way up to Shabbos, and even to extend His work by a hairs­breadth intoShabbos? What was gained by this feat of precision? God was teaching a lesson to mankind about the preciousness of time. So long as a person has [...]

The admonition here in Parshas Ki Savo contains ninety eight curses, whereas the admonition in Parshas Bechukosai contains half that amount, forty nine curses. The inner reason for this distinction lies in the fact that the curses of the admonition are not intended as mere punishments, but rather as “blessings in disguise,” which spiritually purge and refine [...]

“You may not take a widow’s garment as security” (24:17) The Torah warns, “You may not take a widow’s garment as security”, even in reference to a widow who is wealthy (Sefer Hamitzvos prohibition 241). Now, it could be the case that the lender does not intend to pain the widow at all by taking her garment [...]

Is the tree of the field a man..? (20:19) What is the connection between man and a tree? The unique quality of a tree, which no animal possesses, is that it is firmly and deeply rooted in its source of life and energy, the ground. And due to this firm rooting, the tree grows taller [...]

The liberation from Egypt was not merely the liberation of numerous individuals; it was the liberation of a People. Accordingly, one would have expected that the Korban Pesach [Pesach Offering] would emphasize the “nation” motif, the idea of community. Actually the approach and instruction was exactly the reverse. True, all the “congregation” was enjoined to offer [...]

Wandering through the desert before entering the Land of Israel—“that great and awesome desert, where there were snakes, serpents and scorpions, and thirst but no water (8:15)”—is comparable to the current exile, which precedes the final redemption. This spiritual “desert” has the following properties: “Great”—A person’s spiritual decline begins when he thinks that the “desert” [...]

The Ten commandments Chasidic teachings elaborate upon G-d’s purpose in creating the world—that there should be a fusion of spirit and matter. Since G-d created the world in a manner that it is predominantly material, our task—generally speaking—is to infuse it with a higher purpose, and to reveal the inner, spiritual core which pulsates within [...]

At the Covenant of the Parts, Avraham was promised “the (land of the) Kenites, the Kenizites, the Kadmonites, the Chitites, the Perizites, the Refa’im, the Amorites, the Cana’anites, the Girgashites and the Jebusites” (Bereishis 15:19-21). Rashi explains,“There are ten nations listed here, but He gave them only seven nations. The other three, Edom, Mo’av, and [...]

“When a person makes a vow to G-d” (30:3) At first glance, the advice of the Jerusalem Talmud, that one should avoid making vows, appears to contradict the Mishnah’s teaching that vows are a valuable tool for a person to restrain himself from physical indulgence. In truth, however, there is no contradiction, since these two texts are [...]

When Tzelafchad’s daughters told Moshe that their father was not part of Korach’s rebellion (27:3), which was a personal attack against Moshe, how could Moshe possibly judge their case impartially, knowing that Tzelafchad had been one of his own supporters? For this reason, Moshe was forced to bring their case directly “before God” (v. 5), to obtain [...]

“He will Crouch…Like a Lion” (24:9) The “crouching lion” is a metaphor for the might of the Jewish people lying dormant during the time of exile (Bereishis Rabah 98:7). But a lion can never be fully tamed, for it is “one of the five types of wild animals which are predisposed to cause damage by their [...]

Chasidic thought explains that amalek is a particularly dangerous enemy of the jewish people, because the opposition to the torah which amalek represents is subtle and indirect, and thus does not appear to be contrary to torah. Amalek’s second attack (21:1-3) Why, in their second attack, did Amalek come disguised as Cana’anites (see Classic Questions), whereas [...]