From Parasha: Devarim

 

These are the Words

A famous rebbe once stated that the opening phrase of the parashah, "These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel," is meant to teach that words of Torah should always be regarded as something new and exciting. "They should be new in your eyes every day," says Rashi. Ben Bag Bag says, "Turn it over, turn it over again, for everything is within it. Look into it and become gray haired and old in it." (m.Avot 5:22)...
Read...   Print...

 

God Hates Me

Tags:  characterizing God, emotions, feelings, God's love, love of God, relationship

A person should immerse himself daily in the love of God, reminding himself that he is beloved. There is nothing "able to separate us from the love of God" (Romans 8:39), the Apostle Paul tells us. Just as a loving father cannot help but love his child, so too God loves you as His own precious child. "See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are" (1 John 3:1). "We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love" (1 John 4:16). To know God is to bask in His love. ...
Read...   Print...

 

The Necessary Death of Moses

Tags:  Land of Israel

On the ninth day of the fifth biblical month, it is traditional to fast in memory of the destruction of the Temple. The Temple was destroyed on the ninth day of the fifth month in 586 BCE and again in 70 CE. According to Jewish tradition, the ninth day of the fifth month is also the anniversary of the day on which the spies delivered their evil report about the land of Israel and swayed the hearts of the generation. But according to the prophets, when the Kingdom of Messiah is established, the ninth day of the fifth month will be transformed into a day of joy and gladness. (Zechariah 8:19)...
Read...   Print...

 

Two Wrongs Don't Make Repentance

Tags:  consequences, discipline, fast, justice, maturity, rebellion, repentance, sin, Temple, Tisha B'Av

On the ninth of Av it was decreed that our fathers should not enter the land, the Temple was destroyed the first time, and the second time. (b.Taanit 29a) ...
Read...   Print...

 

Like the Stars of Heaven

To be a person of successful faith, it is important to develop an unwavering belief in God's faithfulness to His promises. The Bible is full of extravagant promises. When a father promises his son, "Tonight I will bring home ice cream," the child anticipates ice cream. He does not doubt. A person should strive to develop the simple, trusting faith of a child....
Read...   Print...

 

Expounding the Torah

Tags:  Mount Sinai, Pentecost, salvation

One should always endeavor to communicate God’s word to a person in a manner that will be understood. We should not require others to learn our language before they can learn about the Torah or the Gospel. We must bring the good news to them in their language....
Read...   Print...

 

Fear Not

Fear is the opposite of genuine faith. Fear comes from a place of faithlessness. When we have real confidence in God, fear is driven out. For the person of faith, fear is actually irrational....
Read...   Print...