Nitzavim-Vayelech 5773

August 27, 2013 by Rabbi Yaakov Grunewald

The entire Book of Deuteronomy contains Moses’ final speeches, which he delivered during the last 37 days of his life. He began his first speech on the first of Sh’vat and concluded his last one on the seventh of Adar, which was the day he died. Rashi tells us that the speech which begins at […]

Shoftim 5773

August 9, 2013 by Rabbi Yaakov Grunewald

The Sidra of Shoftim is devoted to the establishment of an Israelite state. It contains a large number of Mitzvot, 73 in total. Many of those Mitzvot are major laws regarding setting up the government of the country. The Sidra begins with the appointment of judges and officers who were charged with making sure […]

Reeh 5773

August 2, 2013 by Rabbi Yaakov Grunewald

The Sidra of Re’eh opens with the contrasting sharp choices which the Almighty offered to Israel. He said that he was giving them the blessing and the curse. He commanded them to choose the blessing. The blessing was symbolically allocated to Mount Gerizim and the curse was allocated to Mount Eival. These mountains were situated […]