Parashah Roundup: Naso/Shavuos 5768

by Steve Brizel

The Census

R. Jonathan Sacks shows us that the purpose of a Divinely mandated census was that every Jew is precious in the eyes of God: link

Birkas Kohanim

The Torah Teminah, as prepared by R. Eliezer Kwass, explains a comment of the Sifrei that refers to the shine of the Torah: link

R. Zvi Sobolofsky underscores the importance of Simcha in Birkas Kohanim: link

Sotah and Nazir

R. Amnon Bazak suggests a fascinating connection between the parshiyos of Sotah and Nazir: link

R. Zev Leff reminds us that a nazir is a sinner, but a holy sinner: link

Click here to read moreGezel HaGer

R. Aharon Lichtenstein proposes that the issur of Gezel HaGer is located in this week's parsha to remind us that moral issues relating to the individual should not be ignored at the expense of dealing with issues of national significance: link

Parshas HaNesiim

R. Yissochar Frand, based upon R. Shlomo Breuer zt"l's understanding of the Medrash., emphasizes that each of the Nesiim placed his own special stamp on his Korban: link

R. Mordechai Willig suggests that we should learn the lesson of unified diversity in Avodas HaShem within the Mesorah and Halacha from the Nesiim: link

Gerus

R. Dovid Gottlieb (Morah D'asrah of Shomrei Emunah) and R. Dani Rapp investigate the halachic elements of Gerus: link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio), link 3 (audio), link (audio)

R. Daniel Stein investigates gerus for less than optimal reasons: link (audio)

Matan Torah

R. Shlomo Wolbe zt"l emphasizes that a proper observance of Shavuos entails not only strengthening our Torah and mitzvah observance , but raising the level of the mitzvos that we already observe: link (RTF)

R. Isaac Bernstein zt"l analyzes Maamad Har Sinai in light of a well known Machlokes Rambam and Ramban in the Sefer HaMitzvos: link

R. Aharon Lichtenstein urges us to think about the meaning and intent of Birkos HaTorah and to make our Kabalas HaTorah as complete and passionate as possible: link 1, link 2

R. Herschel Shachter underscores the importance of maintaining the difference between Chiddush and Shinui and remembering the importance, contemporary relevance and ongoing process of a Heavenly given and immutable Torah, with respect to both Torah Shebiksav and Torah SheBaal Peh , that the development of Torah SheBaal Peh is an ongoing process in every generation whose application is reserved for a small handful of people in each generation and reviews many halachos that stem from Maamad Har Sinai, including Gerus: link 1, link 2, link 3 (audio)

R. Zvi Sobolofsky, based upon the Ramban, shows us how positive mitzvos and negative mitzvos correspond to Ahavas HaShem and Yiras HaShem: link

R. Berel Wein reminds us that Bikurim and Matan Torah are the true twin components of Shavuos: link

R. Shlomo Riskin, based upon an interpretation of Rav Soloveitchik zt"l, shows us how the differences between the Perushim and Tzadukim on Sefiras HaOmer were a fundamental dispute in the relationship and connection between Pesach and Shavos: link

R. Ephraim Buchwald reminds us that those of us with a Torah background should use Shavuos especially as a model for outreach: link

R. Shmuel Marcus reviews the custom of eating a dairy meal on Shavuos: link (audio)

Megilas Rus

R. Yitzchak Etshalom shows the relationship between Megilas Rus and Shavuos: link 1, link 2, link 3, link 4, link 5, link 6, link 7, link 8

Rebbitzen Smadar Rosensweig analayzes the ultimate mother in law and daughter in law relationship: link (audio)

Rebbitzen Shira Smiles explores the inner dimensions of Shavuos and Ruth: link