Vayakhel Pekudei: The Heart Counts
There are two types of givers: those “whose spirit moves them” to give wholeheartedly what they can afford, and an even nobler category of people “whose heart inspires them” to give more than they can afford.
Rabbi David Schallheim
Rabbi David Schallheim
Ki Tisa: The Golden Calf
One of the most disturbing incidents in the Torah is the sin of the Golden Calf. The generation that witnessed the Revelation of God’s...
Tetzaveh: Seek the Truth
When I entered a baal teshuvah Yeshiva twenty-eight years ago my clarion cry was “Clarity or Death!”
Terumah: The Tabernacle in Our Heart!
This week’s Torah portion focuses on the Mishkan (the Tabernacle), which is the dwelling place for the Shechinah (Divine Presence).
Yitro: Preparation for Matan Torah
Any worthwhile endeavor in life requires preparation. When I was a Boy Scout, I learned the Scout’s Motto: “Be prepared.” Before embarking on a camping trip...
Bo: The Four Sons
God gave us 613 beautiful and uplifting mitzvot. We are permitted, and even encouraged, to discover inspiring and meaningful "reasons" for them...
Mishpatim: Blueprint of Reality
A startling insight into Judaism is provided by the Torah’s juxtaposition of the civil laws with the Ten Commandments. Most people think of religion as a matter of ritual...
Behaalotcha: A Babe in His Arms
This was the praise of “the lovingkindness of your youth, the love of your nuptials.” The realities of the natural world meant...
Make His Will Your Own
We must learn to subjugate our good intentions to Hashem’s Will. The Four Parshiyot (Zachor, Shekalim, HaChodesh, and HaGadol) demonstrate that the Torah must be our guide, not the path that seems proper to us.
Shlach Lecha: How Could They Doubt Hashem?
How could the spies,10 tzaddikim, doubt Hashem's promise to bring them safely to Eretz Yisrael?! In contrast, Rachav, a baalat teshuva, had complete emuna in Hashem. How can that be?
Bereishit: Let Us Make Man
God modeled the essence of humility by demonstrating that self worth does not depend on what others think of you.
Pinchas: The Zealot and Peace
It is understandable that such a philosophy would have a great attraction for the Children of Israel. The ‘hippy movement,'...