365Shorts

The slave laws are one of the earliest groups of laws after ten commandments section. Isn’t this weird. We just learned we were free, why bring up slavery? Perhaps because in those days, slavery was a reality, but our slavery was different. As we see here, our slavery had rules and had an end. With… Continue reading Mishpatim

They bring gold, but not just any gold. Gold that was used as body ornaments (35:22). Why mention this? Perhaps because we see a specific elevation of this gold from body ornaments to ornaments of G-d. 36:6-7 They don’t have too much stuff, they have done too much work. How is this possible. You have… Continue reading Veyakhel-Pekudai

We see that the people should build a Mikdash so that Hashem can dwell among them. What is the word for dwell? Not Yoshev (or sit), but Shachan which is the same root as Shechinah. This is not normal dwelling, it is stronger – it is dwelling like a neighbor who is connected to you.… Continue reading Terumah

We met Gershom earlier, before Hashem tried to kill Moshe on his way back to Egypt. But we didn’t meet Eliezer except (probably) as the son to be given a bris in that incident. But when did Eliezer receive his name? It doesn’t say he received it here, we just read it here. Did he… Continue reading Yitro

My brother Isaiah points out that Pi hahiroth and Baal Zephon were gods of Egypt and Canaan respectively. They are the great gods of ancient civilization. It is here, before these witnesses, that Hashem will display his greatest miracle. When the Jews are surrounded, why is there never any attempt to resist? They give no… Continue reading Beshalach

We always translate this as Hashem hardening Pharoah’s heart. But perhaps the very presence of Hashem causes Pharoah’s heard to be made resistant. And the resistance isn’t ‘strength’ it is ‘weight’ or ‘honor.’ The question is why does Hashem have to play a role now? Pharoah had rational reason to resist until now. The Jewish… Continue reading Bo

Why does Hashem not just rescue the people? Why do they continue under slavery? The point of the Exodus is not the rescue of the Jewish people, but the power of G-d. Joseph made Pharaoh like a G-d by giving him total ownership. The new Pharoah forgot Joseph and where his power came from. He… Continue reading Va’eira

[widgets_on_pages id=”21st Century P’shat”] People like purposeless bugs – teemed. Joseph had set up a society without ownership, the producers were the Jews. The Egyptians were neither good (creative) nor holy (connected to the timelessness of divinity although their mummies show they were very concerned about being physically timeless) and so they were very fearful… Continue reading Shemot

Every ancient nation that tried to destroy the Jews was eliminated. The only exception is Persia – because Haman’s plans were cut off in their infancy. Mordechai saved Persia and is the reason it is still here today. The current leadership might undo his good work.

Mamlechet Kohanim and Goi Kadosh. A goi is just a group of people. But you can’t get there unless you go through being a Mamlechet (kingship, or organized group) of Kohanim (people with specific service roles). First comes Mamlechet Kohanim and then Goi Kadosh. The translation is that Moshe reports the words of the people… Continue reading Shavuot (first day)