Topical Torah Essays and Weekly Parsha

Sefer Vayikra

Parshas Behar

May 10th, 2011 | By

Who Is A Slave?

You shall sanctify the fiftieth year and proclaim freedom throughout the land for all its inhabitants; it shall be the Jubilee Year for you, you shall return each man to hie ancestral heritage, and you shall return each man to his family. (Chapter 25 Verse 10.)

Many will look at this law as the earliest record of the emancipation of slaves in history. And as a great law of social justice, devoted to the welfare of the downtrodden and shackled slave. However, after a brief survey of the halachot (laws) of slaves we will see that this mitzvah is of an entirely different nature.continue reading



Parshas Acharei Mos

Apr 10th, 2011 | By

Holy Matrimony

Aaron shall bring near his own sin offering bull, and provide atonement for himself and his household. Ch16/6

In the beginning of the Parsha, the Torah gives us detailed instructions concerning the service of the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) on Yom Kippur. Only if it is completed from beginning to end, in all its details, will it effect atonement for the Jewish people.
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