Torah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef Marcus

Eikev 3: Don't Let it Get to Your Head

Moses continues to warn the people that they should not let the success they will see in Canaan get to their heads. Wasn't for your righteousness that you will succeed but because of the shortcomings of the Canaanites and the promise G-d made to the Patriarchs.

Eikev 2: How You Got the Corner Office

In today's teaching Moses warns the Jewish people not to forget where they come from. Once they enter the Land things are going to be great! Food, health, wealth, prosperity from all sides. Don't make the mistake of attributing all that success to yourselves. Remember the One who took you from slavery and miraculously sustained you through your desert trek.

Eikev 1: Sticking with the Program

Today's teaching touches on the benefits of sticking with the program when the going gets tough and you're not "feeling it." Moses started a mitzvah, but the ones who finished it get the credit. Which mitzvah was that? And why does the credit go to the concluders? 

Va'etchanan Part 5: The Heretic and the Hassid

We are commanded to love G-d. But how to do we go about that? The story of chassidic singer Avraham Fried and Aviv Geffen sheds some light.

We also read the most well known verse in the Torah, Hear O Israel, the L-rd our G-d, the L-rd is one. Yet at the end of Aleinu, we say that "on that day", when Mashiach comes, G-d will be one. Because until Mashiach comes, there are people worshipping other "gods". Only on that day will G-d be the undisputed One. Turns out that every time we say Shema, we're being reminded of the reality that will pervade in the times of Mashiach.

 

Va'etchanan Part 4: The Two Critical Elements of Shabbat

Moses recounts the events at Sinai, including a repeat of the Ten Commandments. A variation in the wording of the 4th commandment leads us to a Rashi about two words that were stated simultaneously and what that tells us about how to get the most out of the gift of Shabbat. 

Va'etchanan Part 3: Deep Stuff

Two layers of meaning in "there is nothing in addition to G-d" / ein od milvado.
Maimonides vs. Rashi; being in it yet above it; the secret to winning.

Va'etchanan Part 2: How Judaism is not a Game of Broken Telephone

"But, rabbi, how do we know that the Judaism we have today is not the result of "broken telephone" over the generations? And, were the rabbis going overboard with all the "fences" and protections? I mean, like, seriously?

Also: Torah's immutability is foundational to Judaism. But why? Can't mitzvot change with the times?

Plus -- G-d to Moses: "It's enough. You're not going into Israel."

Also G-d to Moses: "There's more for you than this."

Finally: why does the Babylonian Talmud say, "Come and hear" whereas the Jerusalem Talmud says, "Come and see"?

Va'etchanan Part 1: Moses' Final Plea

Moses sees an opening and tries yet again to gain entry to the Land. What is the difference between seeing and hearing and what is the advantage of each? 

Devarim 5: Hope Peeks From the Cracks

In the midst of Moses' rebuke, he alludes to a future time of return to greatness. We also learn why those who fought the Israelites are compared to bees and what to expect for this Shabbat, the Shabbat of "Vision." Bonus: why death will be swallowed up in the Messianic age. Double bonus: What is the history of the Haftorah?

Devarim 4: A Love/Hate Relationship

Moses continues to recount the foibles of the Israelites, the process of appointing  judges, and tips for the judges to remain loyal to the law.