by Shlomo Ressler | Sep 15, 2016 | 5:6-Parshat Ki Tetzei, Devarim / Deuteronomy, Weekly Dvar
There is a Passuk (verse) in Parshat Ki Tetzei that reads “And if you desist from vowing, no sin (fault) will be found with you.” This implies (and confirmed in a Gemara in Nedarim) that one that does vow will be found at fault, even if he/she fulfills the...
by Shlomo Ressler | Sep 8, 2016 | 5:5-Parshat Shoftim, Devarim / Deuteronomy, Weekly Dvar
This week we read the Parsha of Shoftim, which charges us to “Appoint for you judges and officers at all of your gates” (16:18). Rav Moshe Feinstein points out that the word “lecha” (for you) seems superfluous. This commandment could have...
by Shlomo Ressler | Aug 30, 2016 | 5:4-Parshat Re'eh, Devarim / Deuteronomy, Weekly Dvar
Parshat Re’eh tells us that “no prophet may advocate idol worship no matter the circumstances. If he does he is considered a false prophet, even if he’s able to perform miracles” (Deuteronomy 13:2-6). The obvious question is: How can a false...
by Shlomo Ressler | Aug 25, 2016 | 5:3-Parshat Ekev, Devarim / Deuteronomy, Weekly Dvar
Parshat Ekev introduced us to the popular phrase “Man does not live by bread alone” (8:3). However, end of that verse is far less famous, although the second part contains the true message. It reads, “Rather, by everything that emanates from the...
by Shlomo Ressler | Aug 17, 2016 | 5:2-Parshat Va'etchanan, Devarim / Deuteronomy, Weekly Dvar
Perhaps the most famous sentence in the Torah is found in this week’s Torah portion – “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One.” (Deuteronomy 6:4). Interestingly, the last letter of the Hebrew word for “Hear” (Shema) is...
by Shlomo Ressler | Aug 11, 2016 | 5:1-Parshat Devarim, Devarim / Deuteronomy, Weekly Dvar
In Parshat Devarim Moshe recounts placing “ministers over thousands, over hundreds, ministers over fifties, and ministers over tens..”(1:15). If there were leaders governing thousands and hundreds, isn’t it obvious that they would govern fifties and...
