Torah Parallels

  Torah Parallels Weekly Parshas Nitzavim-Vayeilech 💭 A Thought on the Parsha:   All in Good Standing                         Immediately Rabbeinu Bechayei writes that K’lal Yisroel stood to join in a new bris with Hashem as they had done originally at Har Sinai by mattan Torah. The original bris had to be forfeited and a new one created because the members of the original bris had participated in the eigel ha’zahav which clearly broke the bris. Moshe rabbeinu therefore notified them that this time they were joining in a bris with a curse and a promise as an incentive for B’nei Yisroel to “think twice” before veering from the derech . Obviously, the Torah and mitzvos did not change but B’nei Yisroel were severely warned and reminded that not following the ways of the Torah will result in strong negative consequences.                As leader of K’lal Yisroel , Moshe was challenged to give mussar, balancing the r

  ❓ Question I am pondering:   Rashi (30:19) writes that, “Hashem tells us to look at the sun, which obeys Hashem command perfectly – it rises and sets every day at the right time, even though it will not receive any reward for doing so. Therefore, certainly we who will get reward for listening to Hashem should do so...” How could we understand this Rashi? There is a very simple pircha with this kal v'chomer: the sun is an inanimate object with no ability to think or decide, nor does it have any nesyonos to stop it. So how could it be so obvious that we should be expected to obey Hashem as well as the sun? 💡 Idea I am thinking about: Speaking Expresses Thinking. There is so much that could be written about the mouth. It is a part of the body that serves so many different functions. One of the mouth’s many talents is that it can convert thoughts into sound – brining the intangible a step closer to physical. This process also

  Torah Parallels Weekly Parshas Ki Savo 💭 A Thought on the Parsha:   Reign in the Rain                         Immediately after the Torah lists the curses of those who violate various mitzvos , the Torah writes about the goodness that comes when we in fact listen to the word of Hashem and follow His commandments.   The passuk describes that one of the rewards we receive from listening to Hashem is that Hashem will open His storehouse and allow it to rain. The Torah here is clearly communicating the connection between the world of ruchniyus and gashmiyus . The fact that there are physical ramifications based on whether we listen to Hashem or not, is no doubt a promise that only Hashem Himself could guarantee.               The Gemara   quotes Rabbi Yochanan as saying that there are three keys which Hashem has kept in His own hands and has not entrusted to any messenger:   the Key of Rain, the Key of Childbirth, and the Key of

  ❓ Question I am pondering:   In the passuk of “ baruch ata b'vo'echa... ” Rashi (28:6) explains that just as one enters the world pure and without sins, so too will one leave the world with no sin. However, following this explanation, it should be that the meaning of the passuk in the to'che'cha of “ arur ata b'vo'echa …” should mean that just as you were cursed coming into the world, so too will you be when you leave. How could this be true if everyone comes into the world pure?   💡 Idea I am thinking about:   The Pen is Mightier than the Sword. This adage boldly states that communication is more effective than violence. Actions sometimes speak louder than words, but other times words have a longer lasting impact than actions. Writing in particular is quite powerful. Hashem doesn’t merely keep in mind what each person’s judgement is for the year, it is written. Writing is a strong form of putting thoughts or speech onto paper and is also a