Divrei Torah Archive
-
Re’eh: Three ways to assess character
Transcript What are the three ways in which one can assess a person’s character? The Gemara in Masechet Eruvin 65b tells us the answer is, “Kisoh, kosoh and ka’asoh.” ‘Kisoh’ Read more... -
Eikev: Why did the rebbe ask for a cigar?
Transcript Why did the rebbe ask for a cigar? In Parshat Eikev, we are told how Hashem is continuously concerned about the land of Israel (Devarim 11:12): “mereishit hashanah ad Read more... -
Shabbat Nachamu: Three weeks of sadness require seven weeks of consolation!
Transcript Three weeks of sadness requires seven weeks of consolation. That’s the period of the calendar that we are in right now. Between the fast days of Shiva Asar b’Tammuz Read more... -
Tisha b’Av: A good leader gives us hope
Transcript A good leader gives us hope. Parshat Devarim is always read on the shabbat prior to Tisha B’Av, and in this parsha, Moshe Rabbeinu, who is just about to Read more... -
Matot Massei: What difference does it make where we live?
Transcript The maths doesn’t add up. In Parshat Maasei we’re told how six cities of refuge were established for our people: three which were to be west of the River Read more... -
Pinchas: What would it be like without you?
Transcript A rabbi once returned to his shul after a vacation. One of his congregants said to him, “Rabbi, you should have been here to see what it’s like without Read more... -
Balak: Every one of us can make time sacred!
Transcript Where do we find the festivals of Pesach, Shavuot and Succot in Parshat Balak? The parsha tells us that after Bilam had cruelly struck his donkey three times, Hashem Read more... -
Korach: Humour can be dangerous!
Transcript Humour is wonderful, but humour can also be dangerous. The Talmud recognises the power of humour and therefore recommends that whenever one is giving a talk, a presentation or Read more... -
Shelach Lecha: How not to use the Torah
Transcript It is possible for a person to be an expert in Torah law without practising any of it. For example, this could be an academic who has studied the Read more... -
Beha’alotecha: “I was filled with dread and I panicked.” Why?
Transcript: I was filled with dread and I panicked. What had happened? I had given an address to a large audience and then I stepped down from the stage without Read more...