Parashah Roundup: Va-eschanan 5768

by Steve Brizel

Moshe Rabbeinu's Invocation of “Your Greatness”

R. Shlomo Wolbe zt"l, based upon Rashi and recalling a halachic query that was answered by the Chazon Ish zt"l, reminds us that one of the defining measures of greatness is the ability to perform acts of kindness: link (DOC)

The Dibros Acharonos and the Dibros Rishonos

R. Mordechai Sabato examines some of the differences between the Dibros Acharonos and the Dibros Rishonos: link

R. Berel Wein suggests why the Aseres HaDibros were repeated 40 years later: link

Click here to read moreAnochi and Kabalas Ol Malchus Shamayim

R. Shlomo Riskin explores the different views of Rambam (Yad; Yesodei HaTorah 1:1) and R Yehudah HaLevi (Kuzari, 1, 11 and 25): link

Sechar VaOnesh

R. Avigdor Nevenzal urges us to use our desires to fullfil God's Divine Will: link

Ahavas HaShem

R. Mayer Twersky reminds us that the pursuit of Ahavas HaShem requires necessary and worthwhile sacrifices: link

Shabbos

R. Berel Wein suggests why we Zachor and Shamor are inseparable: link

The Ohr HaChaim, as prepared by R. Eliezer Kwass, suggests that Devarim 4:39 refers to Shabbos: link

Kibud Av Vaem

R. Yissocher Frand, based upon the Talmudic passage in Kiddushin 31a about Dama Ben Nesinah, explains why honoring one's parents is a mitzvah because God commanded us to honor our parents, especially as they become older: link

Lo Sachmod

R. Dovid Gottlieb discusses the halachic and hashkafic dimensions of Lo Sachmod: link (audio)

Shema Yisrael

R. Jonathan Sacks, based upon the writings of the Beis Yaakov, the son of the author of Mei HaShiloach, explains why we can understand the Divine Word when we cannot see God: link

Testing God

R. Ephraim Buchwald explains why Tzedaka is the one mitzvah where one may test God: link

R. Shmuel Maybruch sets forth halachic guidelines for the mitzvah of Tzedaka: link (audio)

The Mitzvos of Talmud Torah and Chinuch

R. Asher Weiss explores the dimensions of the Mitzvos of Chinuch and Talmud Torah: link

R. Beinish Ginsberg discusses the special role of grandparents in Chinuch: link (audio)

The Prohibition of Intermarriage

R. Hershel Schachter explains why the term Mishpacha refers only to those familial traits that are inherited directly from one's father such as one's status as a Kohen or Levi, as opposed to being a definition of one's identity as a Jew: link

This is the Torah (Devarim 4:44)

R. Mordechai Kamenetsy reminds us that the Torah does not shrink from setting forth rules and regulations for every aspect of society: link

R. Zev Leff explains why the Torah represents God's desire to do good for the Jewish People and ultimately mankind: link

R. Yitzchak Etshalom explains why the halachos of Arei Miklat interrupt Moshe's speech to the Jewish People: link

Nachamu, Nachamu

R. Asher Brander underscores the importance of Nechamah, according to Rashi, primarily means regret and reconsideration, as a necessary element of consolation: link