Parashah Roundup: Ki Sisa-Parah 5770

by Steve Brizel

Halachic Issues and the Census in the State of Israel

R Dr. J. David Bleich discusses the views of Rishonim, Acharonim and contemporary Poskim with respect to counting the Jewish population of the Land of Israel: link (audio)

R Shlomoh Riskin suggests why a census is prohibited, but why every Jew counts in his or her commitment to the Divine Mission: link

The Machtzis HaShekel

The Nesivos Shalom, as explicated by R Yitzchak Adlerstein, explores the individual and collective aspects of the Machtzis HaShekel: link

Click here to read moreSanctification of the Hands and Feet and Netilas Yadayim

R Asher Weiss explores the Halachos of Netilas Yadayim: link (audio)

R Berel Wein analyzes the significance of the Halacha of Netilas Yadayim in our daily lives: link

The Annointment of the Oil

R Yissocher Frand reminds us that the Shemen HaMishcha was a catalyst for self-generated holiness: link

Shabbos and Mikdash

R Sir Lord Jonathan Sacks, R Avigdor Nevenzal, and R Yitzchak Etshalom explores the uniqueness of Shabbos as a sign between HaShem and the Jewish People and why Shabbos precludes the building of the Mikdash: link 1, link 2, link 3

The Sin of the Golden Calf

R Soloveitchik ZL explores the Hashkafic issues raised by the Chet HaEgel: link (audio)

R Ezra Bick explains why the Sin of the Golden Calf was a watershed event in Jewish spiritual history: link

R Ephraim Buchwald delves into what prompted Moshe Rabbeinu to shatter the tablets: link

R Asher Brander discusses HaShem's decree, the efficacy of Teshuvah in the face of a death penalty, Moshe Rabbeinu's Tefilos, and the contemporary repercussions of the Chet HaEgel: link

R Hershel Shachter discusses the role of Baalei Horaah after the Chasimas HaTalmud: link

R David Horwitz shows how R Yehudah HaLevi in the Kuzari defends the actions of the Jewish People: link

R Avraham Gordimer explores the dialogue between Moshe Rabbeinu and Hashem and the theological questions that Moshe Rabbeinu posed to HaShem: link (audio)

Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses numerous moral lessons of the broken tablets: link (audio)

R Baruch Simon and R David Hirsch suggest connections between Ki Sisah and Parshas Parah: link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio)

Parshas Parah

R Aharon Lichtenstein explains why Parshas Parah reminds us to remember that the mitzvos sanctify the body and soul, regardless of our understanding or lack thereof of rationale behind the details: link

R Zvi Sobolofsky and R Yaakov Haber explain how the Mishkan and the Parah Adumah serve as an atonement for the Chet HaEgel: link 1, link 2

Shoalim V Dorshim Department

Rav Soloveitchik ZL discusses Ha Lachma Anyah and the Hagaddah of the Rambam: link (audio)

R Daniel Z Feldman and R Josh Flug discuss the Halacha of learning the Halachos of Pesach during the month preceding Pesach and other Yamim Tovim: link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio)

R Shalom Rosner and R Zvi Sobolofksy discuss various aspects of Hilcos Pesach relating to the kashering of Kelim: link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio)

R Elyakim Koenisgberg discusses numerous Halachos related to Matzah Shmurah: link (audio)

R Aharon Kahn analyzes a critical passage in Magid-Vchol Dor VaDor: link (audio)

Dr. Rivkah Blau explains why the Seder is a Beis Medrash experience: link (audio)

R Mordchai Willig discusses the shiurim of the Seder: link (audio)