Divine Service

Found 6 Search results

  1. Of Census and Service (Audio)

    Rabbi Chanoch Waxman |

    What is the purpose of having a census so soon after the one in Sefer Shemot? This shiur explores possible purposes of the census, looking at biblical instances of census-taking. Ultimately, the census narrative of Bemidbar appears to send a message about unexpected aspects of Divine service.

  2. The Akeida: Midrash as the Mind of Avraham

    Rabbi David Silverberg

  3. Selling the Birthright - Or Sacrificial Rites?

    Rabbi David Silverberg

  4. Shmuel and the House of Eli - Of Fathers, Sons and Sacrifice

    Rabbi Chanoch Waxman

    תאריך פרסום: תשעד | |

    What was the major sin of Bnei Eli, and why do some of their sins receive apparently greater emphasis in the text? What is the significance of their abuse of the Kehuna? We examine the structural challenge of Chapter Two in Sefer Shmuel, and attempt to figure out how the "interruptions" about Shmuel and Chana integrate with  the rest of the perek. Our study brings us to excerpts from the Books of Devarim and Bereisheet, as our chapter in Sefer Shmuel teaches us about larger themes about Divine Service - and prayer - in general, as well as the more specific messages about parents and children in this chapter: Divine Service is not about taking, but rather about the radical act of giving.

  5. Tzav: Please Take Out the Garbage

    Rabbi Jay Kelman

  6. Implications of the Akeida Part 6: The Sefat Emet on Yir'a vs. Ahava

    Rabbi Ezra Bick | 31 minutes

    We will begin by reflecting, evaluating, and developing an idea found in the commentary of the Sefat Emet to the story of the Akeida. Why does the Torah mention that Avraham saw the place from afar?  The Sefat Emet's answer is that the distance is not geographical, but rather refers to the gap  between Avrham’s own inner commitment, understanding, and attachment and the thing he was about to do. There is a tension between loving God and fearing God. Avraham, the prime example of one who worships God out of love, is ultimately praised at the end of this episode because it is now clear that he fears God, too. 

    A thought-provoking explanation of the view that God never wanted Avraham to offer Yitzhak as a sacrifice. is that Avraham was nevertheless meant to think that God was asking him to do it.

    Knowing that the strand of ahava (love) and yira (fear) are sometimes contradictory on a psychological level will help us commit ourselves to both – to do what we know is right - as we are "made in the Divine Image," but also to subject ourselves to the will of the Master of the Universe.