Weekly Newsletter Volume 3, Issue 42

September 2, 2023; 16 Elul, 5783

Parsha In Parshas Ki Savo, Moshe Rabbeinu readies Bnei Yisrael to enter Eretz Yisrael. To prepare them, Moshe discusses the commandment of Bikkurim which will apply to them when Bnei Yisrael settles the land. The Bikkurim are the Jewish farmer’s first fruits that are given to the Kohain as an expression of Hakaras Hatov (gratitude) to Hashem for the harvest. One who brings Bikkurim recites the following formula which has been further explained with Rashi’s commentary in brackets....

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Weekly Newsletter Volume 3, Issue 41

August 26, 2023; 9 Elul, 5783

Parsha his week’s Parsha discusses the concept of an Aishes Yefas To’ar – taking a captive woman. The Torah says, “…and you will take [her] for yourself as a wife.” (Devarim 21:11) Rashi explains that the Torah is addressing the Yetzer Hara. If the Torah did not provide a permissible manner of taking a captive woman, then some soldiers would take a captive woman in a manner that was not permissible. The bolded word “lecha” – for yourself, in the above referenced Posuk appears to be superfluous. Who else would one be taking a wife for if not for yourself? ....

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Weekly Newsletter Volume 3, Issue 40

August 19, 2023; 2 Elul, 5783

Parsha In this week’s Parsha, Rashi explains that the words, “Justice, justice you shall pursue…” (Devarim 16:20) is an admonition to the litigants of a court case to pursue a fitting and proper Beis Din - a “Bais Din Yafeh” – a beautiful court. This is also what is stated in the Sifrei on this verse, “Go after a good and proper Beis Din - pursue the court of Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakhai and pursue the court of Rabbi Eliezer.”

It is clear from the unqualified language of the Sifrei, that in all cases, the litigants must pursue a Bais Din Yafeh. This would apparently include a scenario where the judges in the litigants’ city are scholars and righteous men. Even in this case, there is still a commandment incumbent upon the litigants to seek out a court of even greater scholars....

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