Daily Aliyah

Daily Aliyah

6/4/2025, 3:59:42 AM

Dvar Torah for Naso 3rd Aliyah: Actual text: https://tinyurl.com/vpca6xwr The Torah describes the restitution to be made for any wrongdoing and ends with a general statement: “A man’s holy things shall belong to him; whatever a man gives to the Kohen will be his” (5:10). However, the statement is vague because it doesn’t specify who the “his” is referring to. If it belongs to the Kohen, that seems obvious, and if it belongs to the donor, how is that possible if he gave it to the Kohen? Oznayim LaTorah points out that “will be his” is in the future tense, which suggests that the subject is the donor, and explains that the Torah is insightfully observing that giving others, even when required to do so, creates a giving impression that benefits the giver. Although the object is transferred to the Kohen, the act of giving is the donor’s forever. If required giving creates such lasting goodness, how much more valuable is voluntary kindness to others? Please consider forwarding this to others so they can join! https://chat.whatsapp.com/I7IHQNPpKLF0adHHXTUYda

Daily Aliyah

6/1/2025, 4:09:55 AM

BONUS Dvar Torah for Naso 2nd Aliyah: Actual text: https://tinyurl.com/4szf3k2h The Torah tells us that the Leviim that performed the service in the Mishkan were between the ages of thirty and fifty, and “are fit to perform the service for the service…” (4:47). What is the meaning of the redundant wording of service for the service? Rashi understands this statement to mean that song must accompany the service, and without song, there can be no service. According to the Torah Temima, the message conveyed in our pasuk is that without the service, there can be no song. Rabbi Charlop melds these two opinions to teach us that there is a distinct song in each of us and that everything we do should inspire song. If all our actions are accompanied by song, our goals and actions will be in harmony. Please consider forwarding this to others so they can join! https://chat.whatsapp.com/I7IHQNPpKLF0adHHXTUYda

Daily Aliyah

6/6/2025, 3:47:49 AM

Dvar Torah for Naso 6th Aliyah: Actual text: https://tinyurl.com/bdct84z2 The Torah enumerates the gifts that each leader brought, including those that were brought on the seventh day (7:48), which, according to the Oznayim LaTorah, was Shabbos. The rule is that voluntary offerings do not supersede Shabbos, so how was the voluntary offering on the seventh day handled on Shabbos? Oznayim LaTorah maintains that this voluntary contribution was promoted to a communal offering that supersedes Shabbos, even though it was neither a scripted offering nor described by God. The unity and brotherhood created by this collective offering was able to temporarily override the restrictions on such offerings. This phenomenon highlights the value that God places on harmony and solidarity among His people and the world. Please consider forwarding this to others so they can join! https://chat.whatsapp.com/I7IHQNPpKLF0adHHXTUYda

Daily Aliyah

6/4/2025, 6:17:11 PM

CORRECTED Dvar Torah for Naso 4th Aliyah: Actual text: https://tinyurl.com/56wsxcpe Among many other topics, Parshas Naso discusses the concept of setting oneself apart from society as a Nazir. The self-imposed restrictions include abstaining from wine, refraining from shaving or cutting hair, and avoiding contact with the dead. The purpose of the Nazir seems to be the pursuit of purity and self-denial - commendable goals for anyone striving for spiritual growth. Yet, when the Nazir completes his term, he must bring a chatas, a sin-offering (Bamidbar 6:16). Why would becoming a Nazir be considered a sin? Rabbi Jonathan Sacks explains that while self-denial can be praiseworthy and may lead to personal growth, it is, by nature, a self-focused act. As such, it requires a form of repentance once complete. For example, a Nazir may give away all his money to charity - an act that benefits others but could unintentionally harm his family. The Rambam adds that the ideal approach is not extreme deprivation, but rather moderation - enjoying the pleasures God grants us in this world while exercising self-control. Still, embracing the blessings of life requires a careful balance of societal obligations and a deep awareness of our responsibilities to family, community, and country. Please consider forwarding this to others so they can join! https://chat.whatsapp.com/I7IHQNPpKLF0adHHXTUYda

Daily Aliyah

5/30/2025, 3:55:56 AM

BONUS Dvar Torah for Bamidbar 7th Aliyah: Actual text: https://tinyurl.com/4m8cbexc Preparing the Mishkan for transport required covering all the utensils. While most of the items were covered by the tachash (4:8, 10, 12, 14), a beautiful and durable covering, the Aron was covered by both the tachash and then techeiles (a blue woven tapestry) on top of it (4:6). Why was the Aron covered differently, and why did the techeiles specifically cover it? Rav Moshe Feinstein explains that the two types of covers had different but complementary purposes. While the tachash cover was beautiful, the techeiles was meant to remind its viewers of heaven and, ultimately, the ultimate purpose of its contents. While adorning the utensils with beauty may seem appropriate, the cover for the Aron adds a qualification to all the coverings: be mindful of the purpose of your actions. While beauty for its own sake is surely aesthetically pleasing, beauty with purpose uplifts and protects. Please consider forwarding this to others so they can join! https://chat.whatsapp.com/I7IHQNPpKLF0adHHXTUYda

Daily Aliyah

6/5/2025, 3:08:31 AM

Dvar Torah for Naso 5th Aliyah: Actual text: https://tinyurl.com/5hbtcyxr On the day that the Mishkan is inaugurated, the Nesiim bring individual gifts; six wagons were used to transport twelve oxen, one ox per tribe (7:3). Why does the Torah specify how the oxen were transported with their respective configuration, and why are we told about the wagons before we’re told about the oxen themselves? The Oznayim LaTorah suggests that the tribes’ sharing the wagons to bring their offerings was more significant in the eyes of God than even the offerings themselves. Furthermore, the tribes got along with each other enough to not only share resources but also agree to each bring the same offering, avoiding the potential for competition or disagreement. The leaders’ identical gifts and their shared transport demonstrate that we are at our best, as a people, when our resolve and actions are united. Please consider forwarding this to others so they can join! https://chat.whatsapp.com/I7IHQNPpKLF0adHHXTUYda

Daily Aliyah

6/8/2025, 7:48:33 AM

Dvar Torah for Behaalosecha 1st Aliyah: Actual text: https://tinyurl.com/ykhkb9j4 Parashas Behaalotecha begins with God instructing Aharon to light the Menorah with the candles facing its center (8:2). Rashi explains that Aharon felt dejected because his tribe was not listed in the preceding list of tribe offerings. God was addressing his disappointment by giving Aharon a task that is more eternal than a one-time offering. However, why would God need anyone’s help to light the Menorah? The Midrash explains that this was to elevate the entire Jewish nation. How does this act of Aharon lighting the Menorah satisfy Aharon’s feelings and elevate an entire people? Rabbi Henoch Leibowitz answers by describing two levels of chessed. The basic level of kindness is compassion for the plight of others, while the higher level stems from a feeling of love. The difference lies in the way others receive these acts. While giving with kindness may leave the recipient feeling indebted, giving fueled by love makes the recipient feel loved, wanted, and appreciated. When God asked Aharon to light the Menorah, He was making Aharon a partner. Giving and helping from a place of love and acceptance has the potential to change not only our interactions, but the world as well. Please consider forwarding this to others so they can join! https://chat.whatsapp.com/I7IHQNPpKLF0adHHXTUYda

Daily Aliyah

6/6/2025, 3:56:34 AM

BONUS Dvar Torah for Naso 7th Aliyah: Actual text: https://tinyurl.com/yszzyhcu The Torah describes the tribal leaders’ gifts and totals the weights given (7:84–88). Why do we need the Torah to sum up all that was donated? Sifsei Chachamim suggests that the totals highlight the unity of the people as they made their donations. Each tribe used their own scales to weigh their utensils, and each utensil was weighed precisely as instructed, so there were no fractions that added up to more than the parts. These measurements highlight that the Jewish people acted with such integrity and exhibited brotherhood in a way we may not have ever noticed. This integrity will become the identity of a great nation. Please consider forwarding this to others so they can join! https://chat.whatsapp.com/I7IHQNPpKLF0adHHXTUYda

Daily Aliyah

6/1/2025, 4:00:50 AM

Dvar Torah for Naso 1st Aliyah: Actual text: https://tinyurl.com/mr26rc2v Moshe is instructed to “take a census of the sons of Gershon, of them too, following their fathers’ houses, according to their families” (4:22). This instruction raises several questions: (1) why is the family of Gershon counted second, after Kehas, if Gershon was the oldest, (2) why is there an extra phrase “of them too,” and (3) instructions typically end with “according to their families, following their fathers’ houses”; why is the order reversed here? Rav Hirsch posits that Kehas was listed first because their responsibility was to assemble and disassemble the objects of the Mishkan, a role that preceded all others logistically. Being listed first isn’t meant to diminish anyone else’s roles, so the Torah tells us “of them too,” to highlight that they are all equal. The fact that the families do not feel offended by their position in comparison to others is evidence of their prioritizing their general roles over their specific roles within the family. It is this selflessness that the Torah spotlights for us and is for us to emulate. Please consider forwarding this to others so they can join! https://chat.whatsapp.com/I7IHQNPpKLF0adHHXTUYda

Daily Aliyah

5/30/2025, 3:42:23 AM

Dvar Torah for Bamidbar 6th Aliyah: Actual text: https://tinyurl.com/yc7v2e9p God tells Moshe to count every firstborn male and have each one replaced by a Levi in service to God (3:40–41). After instructing Moshe to count the firstborn, Moshe is instructed to “take the number of their names.” Was Moshe instructed to count people or names of people? Rav Hirsch explains that by counting each individual name, they (and we) are reminded of their personal loss by not speaking out at the sin of the Golden Calf. This reference is even more poignant when we realize that “names” back then included parents’ names as well: “x ben y” (x son of y). They and we have responsibilities based on who we are and from whom we came, but this also affords us opportunities to affect our future. If we embrace our past and accept the responsibilities entrusted to us in the present, we can use both to guide our future. Please consider forwarding this to others so they can join! https://chat.whatsapp.com/I7IHQNPpKLF0adHHXTUYda