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Nitzvaim-Vayeilech - (Devarim/Deuteronomy 29:9-31:3)
"and you will return to the Lord, your G-d... you and your children... " (Deut. 30:1) The positive commandment and the Divine promise of repentance and reconciliation between G-d and His children is THE message of the days preceding the awesome day of Rosh HaShana.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Ki Savo - (Devarim/Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8)
By performing Torah commandments with joy, as prescribed in this week's parasha, and expressing our thanks to G-d for all His blessings, we become keenly aware that G-d is with us in all our endeavors, the ultimate validation of our lives.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Ki Seitzei - (Devarim/Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19)
"For you go out to war against your enemies, and HaShem, your G*d, will deliver him into your hands..." (Deut. 21:10) Some wars are guaranteed victories, while others, ("If you go to war in your land against an adversary that oppresses you..." Numbers 10:9) threaten to be unmitigated disasters. What basic military doctrines is Torah teaching us, and what basic attributes of love for the land and faith in G*d are required of our leaders?
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Shoftim - (Devarim/Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9)
The power of positive thinking: When we prepare for war, as described in this week's parasha, or for any challenge in life, are we focused on the task before us? Are we transmitting positivity? The spiritual force field that we create around ourselves will effect our ability, and the abilities of others around us, to attain our goals.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Re'eh - (Devarim/Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17)
G-d commands us not to be overwhelmed by our own mortality; not to diminish our physical selves in the realization of our own finiteness, but to find strength and comfort in His eternal embrace: "You are children of the L-rd, your G-d." (Deut. 14:1)
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Eikev - (Devarim/Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25)
Moshe prepares the people for entering the land of Israel. They will need to take up arms in order to conquer the land, and they will need to take up their plowshares in order to settle and cultivate the land. But ultimately, in order to set down roots both deep and unassailable, they will need to perform the commandments that G-d commanded them. The same is every bit as true today. It is Torah that weds us to the land of Israel.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Va'eschanan - (Devarim/Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11)
Moshe beseeches G-d with 515 entreaties to enter into the land of Israel. G-d denies Moshe's plea, yet immediately after, Moshe says, "For what great nation is there that has G-d so near to it, as HaShem our G-d is at all times that we call upon Him?" (Deut. 4:7) Could it be that G-d always answers our prayers, even if not always to our liking?
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Devarim - (Devarim/Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22)
Moshe rabbeinu rebukes his generation for their failures, but at the same time states, "you are today as the stars of the heavens." (Deut. 1:10) While our transgressions are of the moment, our good deeds and achievements are lights that will shine like the stars, enlightening others for generations to come.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Mattos-Masei - (Bamidbar/Numbers 30:2-36:13)
The two Torah portions, Matot and Masei, which conclude the book of Numbers are read together as one. What is the true connection between Matot, which begins with the laws concerning the responsibility of taking upon oneself a vow, and the opening verses of Masei, which describe the journeys of Israel in the wilderness? Taken together, they provide for us a key and a map to our own life's journey.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Pinchas - (Bamidbar/Numbers 25:10-30:1)
Who was Pinchas? Where did he come from? What was he made of? Was his act of zealotry a true "Jewish" reaction? Was his ability to act in the moment to defend G-d's honor, to assuage G-d's anger a true "Jewish" reaction? Absolutely!
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Balak - (Bamidbar/Numbers 22:2-25:9)
Bilaam, the heathen prophet, thought to curse Israel by pointing out her shortcomings. Paradoxically, his attempt to smear Israel only served to highlight the love between G-d and His people, which is not diminished by her occasional transgressions.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Chukas - (Bamidbar/Numbers 19:1-22:1)
In this age of instant access to endless information, we are tempted to try to know everything! Is curiosity necessary a good thing, or is it sometimes, as our sages suggest, an offshoot of arrogance? True wisdom is in the acknowledgment that there are things that lie beyond our intellectual grasp. This wisdom is the portal to purity.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Korach - (Bamidbar/Numbers 16:1-18:32)
Korach, the arch-typical demagogue incited the people as he pitted his own unscrupulous cunning against the humble holiness of Moshe. He ended up denying the existence of G-d, and reaping the rewards of his own hubris.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Shelach - (Bamidbar/Numbers 13:1-15:41)
The land of Israel is the soul of all the world, and G-d's system of providence over the land of Israel is unique in the world. The failure of the spies to recognize that Israel is the "desirable land" of HaShem was the cause of their downfall.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Beha'aloscha - (Bamidbar/Numbers 8:1-12:16)
Our lives are made up of spiritual trials and journeys. Just as the Ark of the Covenant traveled with Israel in her journeys in the wilderness, so does G-d accompany us always in our spiritual journeys.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Nasso - (Bamidbar/Numbers 4:21-7:89)
The case of the sotah, the woman accused by her husband of infidelity, has its parallel on the national level when Israels faithfulness has been tested by G-d. The historic exile of Israel which is coming to a close in our days, also embodies the ceremony conducted in the Holy Temple testing whether the covenant has been honored or whether it has been defiled.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Bamidbar - (Bamidbar/Numbers 1:1-4:20)
In the desert each of the Israelite tribes was assigned a flag. What was the significance of the flags? What made them so important to G-d? What makes them so important to us today?
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Behar-Bechukosai - (Vayikra/Leviticus 25:1-27:34)
G-d commands the children of Israel to observe the sabbatical year by letting the land of Israel rest. This act of sanctifying the land by placing our total faith in G-d, grants us the peace we so fervently desire.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Emor - (Vayikra/Leviticus 21:1-24:23)
As a nation of priests, we are instructed to deal with the art of living, and not to be swept away by the debilitating illusion of death. All that G-d brings about in His world is pure kindness, even that which so troubles the soul.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Acharei Mot-Kedoshim - (Vayikra/Leviticus 16:1-20:27)
A Call to Holiness: You shall be holy for I, HaShem, your G-d, am holy. (Lev. 19:1) A tall order, for sure, but G-d seems to think that were up for it. He calls upon and expects that each and every individual, as well as the entire assembly of Israel is capable of being holy and of leading holy lives. Being holy involves dedicating our entire souls and bodies to doing whats good in G-ds eyes, today and in this world.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Tazria-Metzora - (Vayikra/Leviticus 12:1-15:33)
When our body aches we know it is telling us something. What if our body could warn us as to a spiritual transgression on our part? Tzaraat, often, but incorrectly translated as leprosy, was a spiritual affliction contracted by the Israelites in the desert when their social behavior betrayed a coarsening of their spirit. Thus warned, they could mend their ways, and return to their people.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Shemini - (Vayikra/Leviticus 9:1-11:47)
The light of G-d's blessing is dynamic and we must live our everyday lives in a spiritually dynamic way in order to be always receiving His light. Nadav and Avihu, the sons of Aharon tried to freeze time and eternalize the moment, and for this they paid a tragic price.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Tzav - (Vayikra/Leviticus 6:1-8:36)
The korban - offering: Whats it all about, and what does it have to do with you? The korban chatat sin offering is not a "get out of jail free" proposition, but a life-changing experience that, if done with sincerity, compels the bringer of the korban to take stock of himself and re-prioritize who he is and where he stands before G-d.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Vayikra - (Vayikra/Leviticus 1:1 - 5:26)
As we begin the book of Leviticus, (Vayikra), the third of the five books of Moses, the Torah gets down to the heart of the matter: The korbanot offerings made in the Tabernacle, (and the Holy Temple). These commandments which are difficult for us to understand and maybe even hard to warm up to, are, nevertheless, an expression of G-ds will, and a test of our faith in Him, and our desire to perform His will.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Vayakhel-Pekudei - (Shemos/Exodus 35:1 - 40:38)
For seven days leading up to the dedication of the Tabernacle in the desert, Moshe rabeinu (Moses our master), assembled the Tabernacle and then disassembled it twice each day. As we ourselves prepare for the building of the Holy Temple, what can we learn from Moshes daily undertaking?
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Ki Sisa - (Shemos/Exodus 30:11-34:35)
Why is it that the golden calf, of which we read in this weeks parasha, is symbolic of the impurity of death, while the red heifer, of which we also read in this weeks special Torah reading, is symbolic of of the pure nature of life eternal?
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Tetzaveh - (Shemos/Exodus 27:20-30:10)
"And you shall command the children of Israel to kindle the lamps continually." (Exodus 27:20) The light of the golden menora symbolizes the light of G-d in this world. If so, then why are we instructed to "kindle the lamps?" By actively lighting the menora, we are making G-ds light our light, as well. In this manner we are able to spread G-ds light to all mankind.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Terumah - (Shemos/Exodus 25:1-27:19)
"All that the L-rd spoke we will do and we will hear." (Exodus 24:7) The very essence of our relationship with HaShem: We will do even before we fully understand G-d's word. The secret of Israel.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Mishpatim - (Shemos/Exodus 21:1-24:18)
"All that the L-rd spoke we will do and we will hear." (Exodus 24:7) The very essence of our relationship with HaShem: We will do even before we fully understand G-d's word. The secret of Israel.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Yisro - (Shemos/Exodus 18:1 20:23)
"I am Hashem your G-d." (Exodus 20:2) This is the first commandment and it is essentially the last. G-d has woven His name throughout the entire Torah, and His presence throughout all of creation. To know His name and to believe in Him is the entirety of of all the commandments.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Beshalach - (Shemos/Exodus 13:17 17:16)
The Israelites encounter with the deadly Amalek clearly shows the danger when our faith in G-d weakens. But faith in G-d is not enough. Even the wicked can be men of faith.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Bo - (Shemos/Exodus 10:1-13:16)
A new world order. Sounds scary, but thats exactly what G-d established when he commanded Israel, saying, "This month shall be to you the head of the months; to you it shall be the first of the months of the year." (Exodus 12:2)
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Va'eira - (Shemos/Exodus 6:2-9:35)
G-d sets limits on creation, but His love for Israel cannot be contained by these same limitations. In order to effect the exodus of the Israelite nation from the exile of Egypt, G-d reached beyond the laws of nature, and turned the natural order on its head.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Shemos - (Shemos/Exodus 1:1-6:1)
..the children of Israel sighed from the labor, and they cried out, and their cry ascended to G-d (Exodus 2:23) For so long the children of Israel felt so distant from G-d that they didnt even lift up their voices and cry. But when they did, G-d heard them and delivered them.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Vayechi - (Bereishis/Genesis 47:28-50:26)
Yaakov Avinu promises his children a revelation of the end of days, and then proceeds to bless each of them. Was there a prophecy or not? It is said that prophecy is given to the broken-hearted and that Yaakovs prophecy to his children was as on as high a level as the prophecy of Moses.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Vayigash - (Bereishis/Genesis 44:18-47:27)
Reconciliation between brothers and sisters, parents and children, lovers and friends, all have their root in Torah. The root for the ultimate reconciliation, between G-d and man, can be seen in the story of Yosef reuniting with his brothers.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Miketz - (Bereishis/Genesis 41:1-44:17)
The righteous Yosef was the dream interpreter and dream facilitator to Pharaoh, and throughout the ages the Jews have fulfilled this role for the nations, ensuring their physical survival. But when Israel brings the idea of G-d to the table, she, like Yosef, is suddenly forgotten. Jews also dream dreams.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Vayeishev - (Bereishis/Genesis 37:1-40:23)
Our sages teach that the sin of abandonment and sale of Yosef by his brothers was so grievous that it must be rectified in every generation. What does this mean for us, in our time? Is it possible that we are guilty of the same sin as Yosef's brothers?
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Vayishlach - (Bereishis/Genesis 32:4-36:43)
Shall he treat our sister like a harlot. (Genesis 34:31) What was the real message in the words exchanged between Shimon and Levi and their father Yaakov, after they had slaughtered all the men-folk of Shechem? The Targum Yonatan reveals an inner truth and its lessons concerning todays dilemma over the releasing of terrorists for the freeing of Gilad Shalit.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Vayeitzei - (Bereishis/Genesis 28:10-32:3)
Yaakov our patriarch laid his head down on the site of the altar upon which Yitzchak his father had been bound, and rose up with the knowledge that this was the very place from which Avraham had declared, "G-d will be seen." This is the Temple Mount of today, and it is incumbent upon the children of Yaakov/Yisrael that the One True G-d is seen from this place.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Toldos - (Bereishis/Genesis 25:19-28:9)
"Your curse be upon me, my son (Genesis 27:13) What is really going on behind the scenes when Rivka convinces Yaakov to take on the outer visage of Esav, and receive the blessing from his father? It seems that Rivka is righting an ancient wrong.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Chayei Sarah - (Bereishis/Genesis 23:1-25:18)
And Yitzchak went out to meditate in the field. (Genesis 24:63) Prayer, like planting a seed, is an investment of hope and faith, which bears fruit in a world enhanced by our love of G-d.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Vayeira - (Bereishis/Genesis 18:1-22:24)
The Test: At the binding of Yitzchak, Avraham accepted entirely G-ds will. Being willing to sacrifice ones own life for the sanctification of G-ds name, is a deep and undeniable character trait of the people of Israel. But the true test is not only being willing to die for our beliefs, but being willing to live for G-d, and walk in the ways of His Torah.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Lech Lecha - (Bereishis/Genesis 12:1-17:27)
"And I will make of you a great nation ..." (Genesis 12:2) What makes a great nation? A nation whose people seek to be like Avraham, the man who sought the One True G-d, and made His presence known to mankind.
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Noach - (Bereishis/Genesis 6:9-11:32)
The mystery of Noach: How righteous was he? Was he a perfect tzaddik? Or could he have done more to save humanity? Noach walked with G-d, but did he walk with man?
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Bereishis - (Bereishis/Genesis 1:1-6:8)
Adam HaRishon - the first man: Who was he, and what is he to us? Even the angels were perplexed when G-d created man. Who was man and why did G-d create him? We are man, and G-d created us in order to seek out G-d through the medium of His created world. A new year awaits. Let's get to work!
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Yom Kippur 5770
If you've ever made a mistake, watch this short message. If you ever wished you could simply delete all the errors you made in your life, watch this video. If you ever dreamed of a new beginning, guaranteed, no questions asked, this short video is for you. If your heart is sincere, and you're willing simply to show up, to make a difference in your own life, and to get down to the task of being who you know you can be, this year will be the best year of your life.
Shana Tova!
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
Rosh Hashanah 5770
On Rosh Hashana, the birthday of all mankind, we receive from G-d the greatest gift of all - the gift of life. Rabbi Chaim Richman shares his thoughts on Rosh Hashana, and extends his blessings to the entire House of Israel, and to all humanity.
Shana Tova!
by Rabbi Chaim Richman of the The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.
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