Weekly Parsha Thoughts

The pesukim call the Yom Tov of Pesach “Chag HaMatzos”. We refer to the Yom Tov as “Chag HaPesach”. Why is this? What is the difference between the two and what can we learn from each one? I heard the following answer.... Read More

This parsha speaks about the mitzvos of karbanos.  There are several types of karbanos, such as olah, shelamim, and chatas.  An olah or shelamim can be brought free-willing, without being obligated to, whereas a chatas can only be brought after doing an... Read More

This Parsha repeats the command of taking materials for the Mishkan, and also states the actual construction of the Mishkan.  When the Torah describes the bringing of materials, first it says the people brought, and only afterwards mentions that the leaders, the... Read More

The passuk says “The rich one shouldn’t add and the poor one shouldn’t lessen from the machatzis hashekel to give terumah to Hashem to atone for your nefesh.” The Ohr HaChaim Hakadosh asks: why was only a half shekel given and not... Read More

The passuk says, “שמן זית זך כתית למאור.” The Midrash brings a passukזית רענן יפה פרי תואר קרא ה’ שמך. The Midrash asks, is Yisrael only compared to an olive tree? In truth they are compared to many nice trees such as... Read More

In this week’s parsha Hashem tells Moshe to make the Mishkan.  By all the kailim the singular lashon of “v’asisa” is used, while by the aron it says “v’asu”, plural.  The Chofetz Chaim asks: why is this? There were three kailim in... Read More