בס”ד By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron This parsha explicitly mentions Kaleb’s coming to Hebron. Our Sages explain that Kaleb prayed at the Tomb of our Patriarchs that he would not be ensnared in the plot of the other spies. Even today, Hebron is a symbol, an inspiration, and a Divine aid to … Read more
בס”ד By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron This parsha opens with a commandment in regard to the lighting of the Menora. The central beam of the Menora was known to exhibit a miracle: it would last all day and from it the Menora was lit the next day. This miracle was considered a … Read more
בס”ד By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron This parsha enumerates the People of Israel as an army is counted. Indeed, the parsha calls Israel here “legions.” This matter may give us understanding into a meaning to this counting. Israel are preparing themselves to conquer the Holy Land through their army, and the Torah … Read more
בס”ד By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron This parsha emphasizes the keeping of Torah study and mitzvot as a condition to Israel’s ability to settle in the Holy Land securely. This painting depicts how the Torah is our tree of life, as explicitly mentioned in words at the top of the painting. To … Read more
בס”ד By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron This painting depicts a candle as if growing/rooted like the tree adjacent to it. A candle also represents the soul of man as it says, “the candle of Hashem is the soul of man.” On a group level, this candle may hint to many souls, i.e … Read more
בס”ד By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron This parsha contains a passage that discusses the period of the Counting of the Omer of which we are now in the midst. The Counting of the Omer ties between the harvest of barley and the harvest of wheat. Just as harvest involves “cutting” the Kabbalists … Read more
בס”ד By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron This parsha emphasizes the sanctity of Israel due to Hashem’s sanctification of them. This painting whichhighlights dancing Hasidim, representing the pious and holy of Israel, in the midst of the Field of theMachpela, where the holy Patriarchs and Matriarchs are buried, seems to reflect this theme … Read more
בס”ד By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron This parsha begins with service of Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur has a strong emphasis on the service in the Temple along with the importance of repentance. This painting as well deals with the Kotel adjacent to the Temple Mount and the shofar, the instrument of repentance. … Read more
בס”ד By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron White, Kabbalistically, is associated with the attribute of kindness. We find that white is found in Biblicalleprosy, tzaraaat, found in this parsha. Indeed, the Kabbalists explain that when kindness is functioningproperly within a person then white blends in and “harmonizes” with the other colors of a … Read more
בס”ד By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron This parsha begins with the obligation to have fire burning at the altar in the Temple. This paintinghighlights the fire at the Temple, depicting the entire Temple as a burning fire apparently awakening asupernal fire above depicted as a sphere of fire. Also below the Temple … Read more
