Rabbi Chanan Morisson Throughout their travels in the desert, the Israelites were commanded to set up their tents around tribal flags: “The Israelites shall encamp with each person near the banner carrying his paternal family’s insignia. They shall encamp at a distance around the Communion Tent.” (Num. 2:2) What is the significance of these banners? [...] Read more »
Moshe Kempinski The Torah portion of Behar begins with the words;” And Hashem spoke to Moshe on Mount Sinai ( Behar Sinai) saying, Speak to the children of Israel and you shall say to them: When you come to the land that I am giving you, the land shall rest a Sabbath to Hashem. (Leviticus [...] Read more »
by Rabbi Chanan Morrison “God told Moses, ‘Speak to the kohanim, the descendants of Aaron. Let no [kohen] defile himself [by contact] with a dead soul among his people.” (Lev. 21:1) Why are kohanim not allowed to come in contact with a dead body? Why does the Torah refer to the dead person as a [...] Read more »
When we can no longer be happy, we discover that happiness was never the goal. The goal was greater than us and in that there is meaning, happiness and infinite achievement. In this there is G-d. From Rabbi Lazer Gurkow A Silent Response During his inauguration to the High Priesthood, Aaron lost two sons. In [...] Read more »
Moshe Kempinski The Torah Portions of Tazria and Metzora continue the discussion of the laws of Tahara and Tumah , that is to say of “ritual purity and impurity”. These concepts of Tahara and Tuma do not relate to what their English translations wrongly portray. These concepts have nothing to do with hygiene and personal [...] Read more »
Rabbi Chanan Morrison, The question of mourning for Nadav and Avihu, by the iconic religious Zionist leader for whom Merkaz Harav yeshiva is named. From HaRav Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook zts”l After the tragic deaths of Aaron’s sons Nadav and Avihu, Moses instructed Aaron and his remaining sons not to display any public signs of [...] Read more »
by Rabbi Chanan Morrison “Remember… the strong hand and the outstretched arm with which the Eternal your God brought you out [of Egypt].” (Deut. 7:18-19) We are familiar with this phrase from the Haggadah, read every year on Passover. But what exactly do the “strong hand” and “outstretched arm” refer to? Strong Hand — Dramatic [...] Read more »
Moshe Kempinski In the midst of a sea of unknowns in our reality, G-d has always been the anchor and His Promises have always been the signpost. Yet even those who attempt to walk in faith are left at times in a deep quandary. G-d is infinite and beyond comprehension .We are after all , [...] Read more »
by Rabbi Chanan Morrison Two spun coverings stretched out across the roof of the Mishkan, the Tabernacle of God’s service in the desert. The inner covering was a resplendent work of fine linen and colorful wool, dyed indigo, purple, crimson. The outer covering was a simpler affair, made solely of goat-wool. One might think that [...] Read more »
Rabbi Chanan Morisson “As he approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses was angry. He threw down the tablets that were in his hand, shattering them at the foot of the mountain.” (Ex. 32:19) Why did Moses need to break the luchot? He could have set them aside for a later [...] Read more »