Avraham: Proactive Monotheist by Yaakov Bieler

Universal directives in the early Parashiot of the Tora. Sefer Beraishit, in addition to presenting the particularistic personal histories of the founders of the Jewish people, also contains several universalistic statements that indicate Divine Expectations for all of humankind.[1] A commandment in Parashat Lech Lecha’s that can be understood as relating not only to Avraham [...]

Parashat Ve-Zot Ha-Beracha: The Torah’s Coda by Yaakov Bieler

The significance of the last verses of the Tora. Since Parashat  VeZot HaBeracha is the final Parasha of the Tora, it contains the final words of the Tora, which would logically serve as the summation of not only the book of Devarim but all that comes before it as well. Here are the Tora’s final [...]

Parashiot Netzavim-VaYelech: Justifying Transgressions Past and Present by Yaakov Bieler

Someone who thinks that he is above the consequences of non-compliance with the Tora. Devarim 29:18 depicts the inner rationalizations of an individual who refuses to be swept along by the Jewish people’s collective acceptance of the terms of the Divine Covenant, outlined in Parashiot Ki Tavo and Nitzavim (27:1-29:28). “And it comes to pass, [...]

Parashat Ki Tavo: The Torah’s Time Warp by Yaakov Bieler

A particular phrase that appears in Parashat Ki Tavo. Parashat Ki Tavo contains one of the instances when the Tora makes a direct reference to a specific moment in time. In Devarim 29:1-3, the Tora writes, “And Moshe called all of Israel and said to them: You saw all that God Did before your eyes [...]

Parashat Ki Tetze: Remembering and Taking to Heart Miriam’s Tzora’at by Yaakov Bieler

The call to remember a Divine Interaction with Miriam. Parashat Ki Tetze contains a one-line reminder of the events recorded in BaMidbar 12: Devarim 24:9 REMEMBER that which the Lord, your God did to Miriam, on the way when you were leaving Egypt. Although 24:9 itself is not specific with regard to the particular event [...]

Parashat Shoftim: Learning Lessons from Non-Jewish Society by Yaakov Bieler

Parashat HaMelech and Solomon’s malfeasance. One of the most famous passages in Parashat Shoftim is known as “Parashat HaMelech” (the section on monarchy)—Devarim 17:14-20. Shlomo HaMelech who is described as being uniquely endowed with Divine Wisdom (Melachim I 5:9), single-handedly draws attention to these verses by deliberately defying Parashat Shoftim’s three negative prohibitions for Jewish [...]

Parashat Eikev: Moshe’s Expectations for His Biological and Spiritual Descendants by Yaakov Bieler

Some people do not seem to recognize that they are uniquely gifted. Some individuals, be they athletes, academics, artists, or political leaders, appear to take for granted qualities with which they happen to be naturally and generously endowed. Sometimes, when speaking to others, these exceptional people convey the impression that they believe that such special [...]

Parashat VaEtchanan: What is the “Just and Good in Hashem’s Eyes?” by Yaakov Bieler

A verse that suggests an overall goal for the observant individual. In Parashat VaEtchanan, a key verse for us at KMS in light of what is written atop the Aron Kodesh in the Main Sanctuary,[1] is found in Devarim 6:18, “And you will do what is just and good in the Eyes of God in [...]

Parashat Devarim: But We and Our Parents Have Sinned by Yaakov Bieler

The timing of Parashat Devarim. When the Tora is read on an annual cycle,[1] Parashat Devarim always precedes Tisha B’Av (the fast of the 9th of Av, commemorating the destructions of the two Temples). The literary connection between this Parasha and the saddest day of the Jewish calendar, appears in Devarim 1:12, where the first [...]

Parashat Masai: A Torah Travelogue by Yaakov Bieler

The assumption that everything contained in the Tora has spiritual meaning. When encountering biblical material whose significance is not readily apparent, the creativity of Rabbinic commentators down through the ages comes to the fore. Most begin with the premise that whatever is recorded in the Tora has some sort of lasting spiritual significance.[1] However, determining [...]

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