Parashah Roundup: Ki Seitzei 5768

by Steve Brizel

The Jewish Family and Amalek

R. Yitzchak Etshalom explains why the parsha concentrates on the structure of the Jewish family and why Amalek is excluded from being considered as part of the family: link

The Ideal and the Real

R. Aharon Lichtenstein discusses whether certain mitzvos are concessions to human realities or are meant to be the ideal: link

R. Michael Rosensweig analyzes the underpinnings and consequences of the halachos of Yefas Toar: link

Click here to read moreThe Protective Fence

R. Asher Zelig Weiss explores the halachic aspects of the mitzvah of Maakeh: link

The Neztiv, as prepared by R. Eliezer Kwass, reminds us of the importance of a Maakah: link

The Rebellious Child

R. Dr. Abraham J. Twerski suggests that the hedonistic treadmill poses a clear and present danger to our abilities to live a spiritually minded life: link

R. Jonathan Sacks reminds us that a Ben Sorer Umorer is judged on his present status, not on how his potential to do teshuvah: link

R. Yissocher Frand and R Zev Leff provide us with pedagogic insights from the Ben Sorer Umorer: link 1, link 2

The Mitzvah of Shiluach HaKan

R. Asher Zelig Weiss explores the halachic underpinnings of this mitzvah: link

The Mitzvah of Hashavas Avedah

R. Ephraim Buchwald, based on a comment of Rav Moshe Feinstein zt"l, explains why returning lost objects is a mitzvah: link

R. Asher Brander , based upon the words of the Ohr HaChaim, urges us to remember that hashavas avedah is a mitzvah that applies to people and their souls, as well as objects: link

The Avoidance of Lashon Harah

R. Mordechai Willig urges us not to repeat negative speech based upon incorrect facts or interpretations: link

R. Shlomoh Wolbe zt"l, based upon the teachings of the Alter of Kelm, reminds us that there are many positive attributes that we can learn from others that will aid us in our spiritual growth, in both the area of Bein Adam LaMakom and Bein Adam Lchaveiro: link

The Mitzvah of Divorce

R. Ephraim Buchwald surveys the halachic elements and hashkafic reasons why divorce is a mitzvah: link

The Mitzvah to Get Married

R. Shlomo Riskin explains a Machlokes Rishonim on the basic purpose of marriage and why it is a mitzvah to get married: link

The First Year of Marriage and Shalom Bayis

R Dovid Gottlieb discusses the halachos and minhagim of Shanah Rishonah: link (audio)

R. Shmuel Maybruch considers how to maximize one's Shalom Bayis: link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio)

Keeping One's Word

R. Baruch Simon demonstrates that keeping one's word is a form of imitating God's Ways: link

Milchemes Amalek

R. Berel Wein reminds us that the battle against Amalek is the ultimate war of attrition: link

Shoalim V'Dorshim Department

Chodesh Elul and Teshuvah

R. Michael Rosensweig urges us to maximize our opportunities to increase our Ahavas HaShem: link

Teshuvah, Taharah and Haftorah

Rebbitzen Smadar Rosensweig shows us how the Haftarah of Shabbas Shuvah is the guidebook for the process of teshuvah and taharah: link (audio)

The Special Covenant

R. Hershel Schachter discusses the covenant between God and Israel in the wake of the teshuvah of Klal Yisrael after the Sin of the Golden Calf: link (audio)

Efes Zulaso

R. Avigdor Nevenzal reminds us that the focus of our Torah study and Tefilos must be the recognition of Malchus HaShem: link

Hilchos Shofar and Avodas Yom HaKippurim

Rav Soloveitchik zt"l answers questions re Hilcos Shofar and explores the philosophy of Yom HaKippurim and the Avodas Yom HaKipurim: link

Parshas Shoftim Special

Rav Soloveitchik zt"l examines a famous Machlokes Rambam and Ramban in the Sefer HaMitzvos on classification of mitzvos as Biblical or Rabbinical in nature: link