Rabbi Dr. Avraham Walfish

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The Two Narratives of Vayikra
Rabbi Dr. Avraham Walfish
תאריך פרסום: תשע"ב | |
Unlike the other four books of the Humash, Vayikra is devoted exclusively to commandments and laws. In the entire book there are only two brief narratives: the death of Nadav and Avihu in chapter 10 and the execution of the blasphemer in chapter 24. Although these two narratives seem to be unrelated, a close reading will reveal how they are thematically related, and explicate their pivotal role in developing the ideas and values of the book of Vayikra.
Yitro: Standing in Awe
Rabbi Dr. Avraham Walfish
תאריך פרסום: תשס"ו | | 45 minutes
Parashat Beshallah and Yitro share a rare feature: for both parshiyyot, some have the custom to stand during one of the aliyyot during the Torah reading. These sections, Song at the Sea and the Giving of the Torah, are two of the most significant in Moshe’s career and in the development of the people of Israel. Examining these stories together presents a picture of the Israelites’ transition into a permanent relationship with God.
There is no Earlier and Later in the Torah - Is This True?
Rabbi Dr. Avraham Walfish
תאריך פרסום: תשס"ט | |
It is well established that biblical narrative frequently departs from the chronological order of the events it is describing. This principle was first enunciated by Talmudic sages in the well-known, "there is no earlier and later in the Torah". However, classic commentators such as Rashi, Ibn Ezra, and Ramban sharply debated the proper application of this principle and the textual conditions which warrant its utilization. In this lecture we will survey many of the better-known and some of the lesser-known instances in which this principle has been employed, and in each case we will examine its legitimacy, its necessity, and its ramifications.
The Harmony of Shemitta
Rabbi Dr. Avraham Walfish
How does the seemingly anti-climactic final chapter of Parshat Bechukotai fit into the larger context of Sefer Vayikra? By examining the end of the book we can notice that Chapter 27 concludes the book of Vayikra by weaving together the two main themes of the book: (a) the sanctity derived from the indwelling divine Presence, symbolized and embodied by the Sanctuary, and (b) the sanctity of the Israelite individual and community, embodied in all walks of life, but achieving its chief expression in the way in which Israel realizes the sanctities of space and time.
The Harmony of Shemitta (Audio)
Rabbi Dr. Avraham Walfish | 13 minutes
How does the seemingly anti-climactic final chapter of Parshat Bechukotai fit into the larger context of Sefer Vayikra? By examining the end of the book we can notice that Chapter 27 concludes the book of Vayikra by weaving together the two main themes of the book: (a) the sanctity derived from the indwelling divine Presence, symbolized and embodied by the Sanctuary, and (b) the sanctity of the Israelite individual and community, embodied in all walks of life, but achieving its chief expression in the way in which Israel realizes the sanctities of space and time.
Creation of World and Man in the Midrash
Rabbi Dr. Avraham Walfish | 59 minutes
In this lecture we will explore some of the main ideas that Hazal sought to teach in their midrashic exegesis of the story of creation. We will examine the dispute regarding public discussion of Ma'aseh Bereishit, we will attempt to discern the reasons for this prohibition, and we will investigate the ways in which Sages continued to expound upon the creation story despite this restriction. We will study several important issues discussed in the midrash, including: the meaning of tohu va-vohu, the ramifications of divine creation by means of speech, perfection and imperfection in creation, and the role of angels in creation.
Vayikra 16-20: From Sanctuary to Sanctity
Rabbi Dr. Avraham Walfish | Hour and 12 minutes
The book of Vayikra is best known for its lengthy discussion of ritual matters involving the Sanctuary, including the laws of sacrifices and of impurity. However, the latter part of the book has little to say on these matters, focusing instead on the ramifications of the Torah's injunction to "be holy". In this lecture we will examine the ways in which Chapters 16-20 of Vayikra serve as a bridge between these two topics. The issues discussed and their arrangement, as well as the use of keywords, verbal echoes, and imagery, serve to highlight both the differences and the interaction between sanctity focused on the Sanctuary and sanctity focused on everyday life.
The Anatomy of Prayers in I Shmuel Chapters 1-2
Rabbi Dr. Avraham Walfish | Hour and 11 minutes
What makes Chana's prayer unique? What spiritual messages and inspiration can we learn from Chana's story? Through a close reading of the text as well as an examination of parallels with Sefer Shoftim, we learn about the essence of prayer, and about the power of prayer in changing God's decrees.
Parshat HaShavua Vayera: Promises of Descendants and of Land
Rabbi Dr. Avraham Walfish | 35 minutes
In this shiur, we examine the structural parallels within Parashat Vayera and also in comparison to Lekh Lekha and Hayyei Sara (the parshiyyot juxtaposed before and after ours). We discuss the interplay of various ideas and themes that come up, especially through the lens of God's promises of land and offspring to Avraham.
From Sea to Sinai - Trials and Edification
Rabbi Dr. Avraham Walfish |
Between the two great revelations in the book of Shemot, the splitting of the sea and the Ten Commandments, the Torah describes a series of events in the wilderness, including the miraculous provision of food and water, the battle of Amalek, and the visit of Yitro. Through close reading techniques, including careful attention to literary and thematic connections linking these narratives, we will explore the ways in which the challenges and trials of living in the wilderness help prepare the people to progress from the revelation at the sea to the revelation at Sinai.
Jerusalem's Dual Election by Avraham and David
Rabbi Dr. Avraham Walfish
תאריך פרסום: 5777 | | Hour and 10 minutes
This shiur focuses on the four-fold process of Jerusalem's election, examining the two different narratives within the Avraham story, as well as the two narratives within the David saga. While we do so, we consider the concepts of sacred time and sacred space and their importance in the description of the Mikdash. There are two main Jewish positions as to the nature of the Temple's original sanctity - historical (as a moment within the history of the Jewish people), and primordial (that the site of the Temple's holiness was already built into creation.

As we look at the (dual) biblical view, while examine the stories of David's relationship with Jerusalem and Avraham's Akeida ordeal, difficult and disturbing questions arise about God's demands of humanity. How could God ask Avraham to sacrifice his son? Why was the punishment so harsh after David's census?

These stories are meant to disturb - and meant to tell us something about the place that God is going to select. The values of human autonomy and Divine will are intertwined in the Mikdash. Though free will is an important value, we must also remember that human will is ultimately subordinate to the Divine will.