Keeping It Private
In the Torah portion of Matot-Masei, hidden in a small verse in the book of Numbers, Rabbi Enkin shares a lesson of fine character from our teacher Moses. A tip for good parenting and good leadership.
Read more
Tag: Torah Portion
Learning Greatness From Moses
In the Torah portion of Chukat we read about the song that the Jewish people sung in celebration and thanksgiving for the well that followed them and provided water for them, through out their journey in the desert – however, there is another place in the Torah when the Jews also sing a song of Thanks to God, but there is a difference in the wording of these 2 verses. Why is that? Rabbi Ari Enkin shares the lesson.
Read more
Giving With A Full Heart
In the Torah portion of Terumah we read about the construction of the various utensils used for the miishkan / tabernacle / sanctuary in the desert. Like every Synagogue through out history was built by donations, so was the sanctuary in the desert. When collecting money for the sanctuary, the Torah uses the expression “kol nediv leebo” “all those generous of heart” – however this is the only time in this expression is used by donations in the Torah. The question is WHY?
Read more
Going Above and Beyond
The Jewish people sing a song of Thanksgiving to G-d as they cross the red sea on dry land. In this song it says “This is my G-d & I will glorify Him” – We learn from this verse that when performing G-d’s commandments we should go above and beyond the bare minimum requirement – we should beautify the mitzvah/commandment, The question is asked: Why specifically is it this verse, of the Jews by the sea, that teaches us this lesson? There are many miraculous events that happened for the Jewish people – what is special about this one? Rabb Ari Enkin shares the lesson…
Read more
What It Means To Be GREAT
In the Torah portion of Va’era we’re introduced to Moshe (Moses) and Aaron – two greats of the Jewish people. Sometimes Moses is mentioned first in the verse and sometimes Aaron is mentioned first. Why is this so? It’s explained that they were both equally as great. But that raises another question: How could that be? Everyone knows Moses and that he was the great leader of the Jewish people and the greatest prophet of Israel. How could it be that they were equal in greatness?
Read more
Don’t Underestimate Your Role as a Parent
In the Torah portion of Shemot, we read about the Jewish midwives. One of their names was Shifra and the other one was Puah. Yet we know that Shifra and Puah were actually Yocheved and Miram – the mother and sister or Moses. These are women who were also leaders of the Jewish people, why did the Torah give them names that represent seemingly menial tasks?
Rabb Ari Enkin shares…
The Lesson of The Wine
In the Torah portion of Vayigash, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers. Before the brothers leave Egypt, Joseph gives them a gift to take back to his father Jacob. It was an aged bottle of wine. The question is asked: Why an aged bottle of wine – what is so important about this bottle of wine? Did his father need wine at this time? Rabbi Ari Enkin shares the important lesson that we learn from this bottle of wine.
Read more
Judaism: Is An Ultrasound Permitted?
Rabbi Enkin is often asked by women if the Torah permits an ultrasound to reveal the gender of a baby before it’s born. Perhaps the answer can be found in the Torah Portion of Toldot when Rebecca and Isaac have twins, Jacob and Esau. Rabbi Ari Enkin Shares the insight.
Read more
The Key to True Leadership & Parenting
Throughout the Torah there are many conversations recorded. Between Abraham and Sarah, Abraham and the angles who came to visit him, Abraham and the Kings – but yet there is only 1 short conversation between Abraham and his beloved son Isaac. A total of only 15 words. How is it that Isaac became who he was with very little fatherly input and fatherly teachings? What was the parenting and leadership secret that was known to Abraham?
Read more
Understanding The Final Test
Abraham received 10 tests of faith. The first 9 tests were commanded to Abraham, where as the final 10th test, of Sacrificing Isaac on the Alter, was asked of Abraham. The question is asked, why was the final test different and what we can learn from it. Rabbi Ari Enkin shares the insight.
Read more