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The Meor VaShemesh understands Tazria and Metzora as one continuous spiritual process. In Tazria, he explains that holiness enters the world through Itaruta d’letata, an arousal or awakening from below. God structured creation so that

In this week’s parsha, the Ma’or VaShemesh teaches that the final stage of the Mishkan’s inauguration could not be completed by Moshe, but rather specifically by Aharon. The Mishkan itself is a response to the Golden Calf,

In this week’s parsha and accompanying pieces, the Ma’or VaShemesh teaches that Shabbat HaGadol is part of a deeper process of preparation for redemption. Chazal teach that if Israel would keep two Shabbatot, they would be

In this week’s parsha, the Ma’or VaShemesh highlights three subtle details that together reveal a profound spiritual principle. The Parsha begins: “And He called to Moses.” Chazal note that every divine communication to Moses was preceded by

David Ebner on “Daiyenu”   WebYeshiva and students of Yeshivat Hamivtar have been mourning our great teacher Rav David Ebner z”l this year. In advance of Pesach we bring you one of his poems and its accompanying

Vayakhel: The Ma’or VaShemesh on Vayakhel teaches that when Bnei Yisrael brought materials for the Mishkan, they did not simply give. They verbally designated their gifts for the sake of the Mishkan and the dwelling of the

In this week’s parashah, the Ma’or VaShemesh offers a profound chiddush in understanding the sin of the Golden Calf. The episode was not simply a collapse into rebellion. Rather, it was a tragic miscalculation in

The Ma’or VaShemesh teaches that Purim is not just a story of salvation, but a map of how evil is confronted, silenced, and ultimately transformed. The Ma’or VaShemesh opens with the verse “והשתיה כדת אין

Tezaveh In this week’s Parsha, the Meor V’Shemesh describes a powerful cycle between a leader and the community. When people approach a tzaddik with a sincere, “crushed” heart, genuinely seeking how to grow, their humility

In this week’s parsha, the Maor vaShemesh teaches that Terumah is not mainly about donating materials for a sanctuary. It is about making oneself into a place where God can dwell. “To take for Me

How to learn Torah In this week’s Parsha, the Maor VaShemesh teaches that “Ve’eleh HaMishpatim” is not only telling us that the laws were given at Sinai, it is teaching us how to learn Torah.

In Parashat Yitro, the Ma’or Va-Shemesh teaches that Yitro’s coming is a teaching about the inner structure of avodat Hashem. He distinguishes between two paths in Avodat, serving, HaShem: one who serves from youth, out of ahavah and clear recognition of G-d’s greatness,

Ha ma el kellene utaznod Budapestről Bécsbe – melyik utat választanád? A gyorsabbat, ugye? Két és fél óra autóval, esetleg három vonattal. Ez természetes. A modern világ a sebességet imádja. De mi van akkor, ha

In Parshat Beshalach, the Maor VaShemesh teaches that the longer road out of Egypt was not a tactical detour but a spiritual necessity. Had Israel gone straight into Eretz Yisrael, the goal of the journey,

In Parashat Bo, the Maor VaShemesh teaches that Yetziat Mitzraim, the exodus from Egypt, was not only the redemption of Israel from physical bondage, but a revelation of the core foundation of faith upon which

The Maor VaShemesh on Parashat Vaera teaches that redemption, Geulah, from Mitzraim required more than leaving slavery, it required Israel to become capable of accepting G-d’s kingship. Although G-d declared “אני יקוק, I am the

The Torah opens Sefer Shemot with the words וְאֵלֶּה שְׁמוֹת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הַבָּאִים מִצְרַיְמָה, “And these are the names of the children of Israel who are coming to Egypt.” Chazal teach that whenever the Torah uses

In this week’s parsha, the Ma’or va-Shemesh teaches that Parashat Vayechi describes a decisive spiritual transition. When Yaakov dies, the Torah becomes “closed” not only because suffering begins, but because a certain level of clear

In Parashat Miketz, the Ma’or VaShemesh offers a striking reframe of Yosef’s story. The Midrash calls Yosef the embodiment of “אַשְׁרֵי הַגֶּבֶר אֲשֶׁר שָׂם ה׳ מִבְטַחוֹ”, happy is the man who places his trust in

Regarding Chanukah, the Ma’or Va-Shemesh teaches, that the miracle begins long before we can see it. Yaakov looked at the many chiefs of Esav and feared their overwhelming power. How could holiness ever prevail against