שבת טעם החיים תולדות תש"ע
Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Toldos 5770
Blessings unlimited
Introduction
So he drew close and kissed him; he smelled the fragrance of his garments and blessed him; he said, “See, the fragrance of my son is like the fragrance of a field which HaShem had blessed.” (Bereishis 27:27)
In this week’s parasha the Torah records the blessings that Yitzchak conferred on his son Yaakov. The Torah states that when Esav returned from his hunt and discovered that Yaakov had received the…
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Added by Ben on November 20, 2009 at 2:14am —
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שבת טעם החיים חיי שרה תש"ע
Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Chaye Sara 5770
Everything can be perceived as good
Introduction
Sarah’s lifetime was one hundred twenty years, and seven years; the years of Sarah’s life. (Bereishis 23:1)
Rashi writes that the words the years of Sarah’s life teach us that all of Sarah’s years were deemed to be good. The Medrash cites the verse that states (Tehillim 37:18) yodeia HaShem yimei temimim vinachalasam liolam tihiyeh, HaShem knows the days of the perfect, their inher…
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Added by Ben on November 12, 2009 at 8:29am —
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שבת טעם החיים וירא תש"ע
Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Vayeira 5770
King Dovid can be found in Sodom
Introduction
I have found my servant, David. And where did I find him? In Sodom (Bereishis Rabbah 44:1)
In this week’s parasha we learn how HaShem was prepared to destroy the ancient city of Sodom and its surroundings on account of the decadence of the inhabitants. Avraham prayed on behalf of the people of Sodom, hoping that HaShem would acknowledge that there were some righteous people in the city, in…
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Added by Ben on November 5, 2009 at 6:11am —
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שבת טעם החיים לך לך תש"ע
Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Lech Lecho 5770
Fleeing Evil
Introduction
In this week’s parasha, we find an interesting pattern. The parsha commences with HaShem instructing Avraham to leave his homeland and travel to the Land of Canaan. Avraham was then forced to leave the Land because of a hunger and he descended to Egypt. Pharaoh took Sara and was then struck by a plague. Sensing that Avraham’s presence was detrimental to the Egyptian welfare, Pharaoh sent Avraham away. Furt…
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Added by Ben on October 29, 2009 at 4:26am —
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שבת טעם החיים נח תש"ע
Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Noach 5770
Noach Reveals Too Much
Introduction
In this week’s parsha the Torah records how Noach built a Teiva, an ark, that protected his family, himself, and numerous animals from the Great Flood that HaShem brought upon the world. Subsequent to the flood, Noach left the Teivah and it is said (Bereishis 9:20-21) vayachel Noach ish haadama vayita karem vayeisht min hayayin vayishkar vayisgal bisoch ahalo, Noach, the man of the earth, debased himself…
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Added by Ben on October 23, 2009 at 2:29am —
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שבת טעם החיים בראשית תש"ע
Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Bereishis 5770
It must have been something
Introduction
This week’s parsha discusses the creation of the world, and most important, the creation of man. The Torah describes the birth of Adam and Chava’s two sons, Kayin and Hevel, and the ensuing battle between them. Their struggle still reverberates amongst their descendants today. People are forever staking out their territory and determining their dominance over their fellow man.
The rejection…
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Added by Ben on October 15, 2009 at 7:37am —
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שבת טעם החיים
שמיני עצרת-שמחת תורה-וזאת הברכה תש"ע
Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Shemini Atzeres-Simchas Torah-Vizos HaBracha 5770
Sukkos and the World to Come
Introduction
Sukkos is coming to an end, but just as we bid farewell to the Sukkah, we welcome in the festival known as Shemini Atzeres. What is the significance of Shemini Atzeres and who does this special day connect to Sukkos? The Gemara (Sukkah 55b; see Rashi Bamidbar 29:35 and 36) states that Shemini Atzeres is akin to a king whose servant…
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Added by Ben on October 8, 2009 at 12:10am —
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שבת טעם החיים סוכות תש"ע
Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Sukkos 5770
Sukkos and the World to Come
Introduction
It is fascinating that following Yom Kippur, we celebrate the festival of Sukkos. The Vilna Gaon maintains that the Jewish People in the wilderness receive atonement for the sin of the Golden Calf on Yom Kippur, and the building of the Mishkan commenced on Sukkos. Thus, the Clouds of Glory, which had departed because of the sin, retuned on Sukkos. In commemoration of the return of the Clouds of…
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Added by Ben on October 2, 2009 at 1:11am —
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Once one accepts the notion of emunah, faith especially in Chassidic thought one understands nothing is beyond G-D’s purview, nothing. Recognizing the reach of G-D’s providential down to the intimate details of one's life as well as the juxtaposition of events. Needless to say the first day of Sukkot coinciding with Shabbath has a special significance for the present year.
The Torah commands that on the first day of Sukkoth one must take up a palm branch (lulav), myrtle (hadassim), willows (ara…
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Added by Bernard S. Antin on October 1, 2009 at 7:45am —
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שבת טעם החיים האזינו- תשובה-יום כיפור תש"ע
Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Haazinu-Shuva-Yom Kippur 5770
Repentance is a state of joy
Introduction
This week is referred to as Shabbos Shuva, Shabbos of Repentance. What is the association between Shabbos and repentance? It is said that the word Shabbos is derived from the word shav, return. Thus, on Shabbos, everything returns to its source. Yet, one must wonder, how this idea is connected to repentance?
Prohibition of reciting Avinu Malkeinu on Shabbos
T…
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Added by Ben on September 24, 2009 at 9:26pm —
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שבת טעם החיים ראש השנה תש"ע
Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Rosh HaShanah 5770
Standing and Kingship
Introduction
Last week’s parasha, Nitzavim, commences with the words (Devarim 29:9) atem nitzavim hayom kulchem lifnei HaShem Elokeichem rosheichem shivteichem zikneichem vishofteichem kol ish Yisroel¸ you are standing today, all of you, before HaShem, your G-d: the heads of your tribes, your elders, and your officers – all the men of Israel. The commentators write that this verse alludes to Rosh HaShana…
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Added by Ben on September 14, 2009 at 7:15pm —
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שבת טעם החיים פרשת נצבים-וילך תשס"ט
Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Parashas Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5769
Teshuvah is right around the corner
Introduction
In this week’s parasha, Nitzavim, it is said (Devarim 30:11-14) ki hamitzvah hazos asher anochi mitzavecho hayom lo nifleis hi mimcho vilo richokah hi lo vashamayim hi leimor mi yaaleh lanu hashamaymah viyikacheho lanu viyashmieinu osah vinaasenah vilo meiever layam hi leimor mi yaavar lanu el eiver hayam viyikacheha lanu viyashmieinu osah vinaasenah ki ka…
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Added by Ben on September 6, 2009 at 8:30pm —
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שבת טעם החיים פרשת כי תבוא תשס"ט
Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Parashas Ki Savo 5769
Hear the “words”
Introduction
Parashas Ki Savo is always deemed to be a frightening parashah. Despite its benign beginning, the majority of the parasha discusses the devastating punishment that HaShem will bring upon the Jewish People if they do not observe HaShem’s will. There is even a custom in most synagogues to read the portion of the Tochacha, the Rebuke, in an undertone, and this demonstrates our discomfort wit…
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Added by Ben on August 30, 2009 at 10:00pm —
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שבת טעם החיים פרשת כי תצא תשס"ט
Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Parashas Ki Seitzei 5769
Go out with joy
Introduction
This week’s parasha, Ki Seitzei, commences with the laws regarding the Jewish People going out to battle. Rashi writes that the battle referred to here is a discretionary battle, i.e. the Jewish People are not required to wage war against their enemies. Rather, the battle is one where the nation chooses to expand their territory. It is regarding this battle that the Torah instructs the J…
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Added by Ben on August 28, 2009 at 1:11am —
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שבת טעם החיים פרשת שופטים תשס"ט
Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Parashas Shoftim 5769
Judges and kings
Introduction
In this week’s parashah we learn of the mitzvah of appointing Shoftim, judges, and subsequently we learn of the mitzvah to appoint a king over the Jewish People. While the function of the judge is to adjudicate rulings between quarreling parties, the function of the king is to rule over the people in a fair but firm manner. The question, however, is why the Torah mentions a reward for the…
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Added by Ben on August 21, 2009 at 5:16am —
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שבת טעם החיים פרשת ראה תשס"ט
Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Parashas Re’eh 5769
The need to be vigilant throughout the month of Elul
Introduction
The month of Elul is approaching. What is required of us in this month of awe? The Medrash (Pirkei D’Rabbi Eliezer §46) states that on the first Rosh Chodesh Elul that the Jewish People were in the Wilderness, Moshe blew a Shofar, signifying to the Jewish People that they should be on guard when Moshe ascended upon high. This sounding of the Shofar would ensu…
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Added by Ben on August 13, 2009 at 8:12am —
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שבת טעם החיים פרשת עקב תשס"ט
Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Parashas Eikev 5769
Transforming what we trample on towards HaShem
Introduction
This week’s parasha, Eikev, is unique that there does not appear to be an underlying theme to the parasha. The parasha commences with the blessing that the Jewish People will receive when they follow Hashem’s instructions. The Torah then exhorts the Jewish People that upon entering Eretz Yisroel they should not be intimidated by the might of the nations. Moshe cont…
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Added by Ben on August 5, 2009 at 8:13pm —
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שבת טעם החיים פרשת ואתחנן תשס"ט
Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Parashas Vaeschanan 5769
Less joy leads to the ultimate joy
Introduction
In this week’s parasha we learn of how Moshe requested from HaShem that he be granted entry into Eretz Yisroel. After entreating HaShem with numerous supplications, it is said (Devarim 3:26) vayisabeir HaShem bi limaanchem vilo shama eilay vayomer HaShem eilay rav lach al tosef dabeir eilay od badavar hazeh, but HaShem became angry with me because of you and He did not…
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Added by Ben on July 31, 2009 at 8:00am —
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שבת טעם החיים פרשת דברים תשס"ט
Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Parashas Devarim 5769
Becoming one with the Torah
Introduction
It is said (Devarim 1:1) eileh hadevarim asher diber Moshe el kol Yisroel, these are the words that Moshe spoke to all Israel. The Medrash (Devarim Rabbah 1:1) comments that prior to receiving the Torah, it is said regarding Moshe (Shemos 4:10) lo ish devarim anochi, I am not a man of words. Once he merited the Torah, his tongue was healed, and he began to recite devarim, words,…
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Added by Ben on July 23, 2009 at 11:16pm —
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שבת טעם החיים פרשת מטות-מסעי תשס"ט
Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Parashas Matos-Masei 5769
Making a vow removes jealousy and hatred
Introduction
In this week’s parasha, Matos, it is said (Bamidbar 30:3) ish ki yidor neder laHaShem, if a man takes a vow to HaShem. The Imrei Emes writes that the word neder, a vow, is similar to the word dirah¸ a dwelling. This reflects the idea that one’s word has to be as solid as a wall. It is noteworthy that regarding Shabbos it is said (Shemos 31:16) vishamru vinei…
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Added by Ben on July 17, 2009 at 6:19am —
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Shabbos: Taam HaChaim Toldos 5770
WHAT'S INSIDE IS WHAT MATTERS!!!
