Mar 14, 2024
Pekudei | On the First Day: The Commemorative Function of the Mishkan, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom
Why was the Mishkan's inauguration commanded to take place on Rosh Chodesh of the first month (Nissan)?
As Sefer Shemot moves towards its festive conclusion, Moshe is commanded to raise up the Mishkan on the "First day of the...
Feb 29, 2024
Ki Tisa | What Was Written On the Second Set of Tablets? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom
After Moshe breaks the Luchot - which, until that point, were only referred to as לוחות העדות ("Tablets of Testimony") - Hashem commands him to carve out new ones and Hashem states that He will write on these newly hewn tablets...
Feb 22, 2024
Tetzaveh | The Strange Placement of the Golden Altar, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom
Why is the מזבח הקטורת commanded separately - and much later - than all of the other כלים of the משכן?
After the detailed prescriptions for the construction of the Mishkan and its appurtenances, the Torah describes a lengthy...
Feb 15, 2024
Teruma | Just a Vav: Rashi and Textual Criticism, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom
Why is Rashi explaining a "Vav" that isn't there? (Shemot 25:22).
Rashi's comment on Shemot 25:22, explaining the letter "vav" in the word ואת as being superfluous, has raised eyebrows over the centuries...since in our Sifrei Torah, the word...
Feb 8, 2024
Mishpatim | The Hebrew Maidservant and Marital Obligations, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom
Why does האמה העבריה serve as the source for a husband's obligations towards his wife?
The second entry into the Law Code (Parashat Mishpatim) is the law of the Hebrew maid - האמה העבריה. In a surprising twist,...