Posted by
Rabbi Dovid Boruch Kopel
closeAuthor: Rabbi Dovid Boruch Kopel
Name: Dovid Boruch Kopel
Email: dovidboruch@closetotorah.com
Site: http://www.closetotorah.com/
About: I was privileged to launch CloseToTorah.com in November 2008. It is a budding fruit that has started to sprout most beautifully with the help of Hashem. I am currently learning in Kollel Avodas Levi at Yeshivas Ner Yisrael of Baltimore. I am happily married to my dear wife, Ahuva. We live in Baltimore. I hope you enjoy this site!See Author's Posts (81)
March 12, 2010 - כ"ז אדר ה' תש"ע

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ששת ימים תעשה מלאכה וביום השביעי יהיה לכם קדש שבת שבתון לה’ כל העשה בו מלאכה יומת – Kodesh is given to you. How do you get kedushah only by working six days and the seventh day shall be for you kodesh. It isn’t kodesh just by being sanctified itself, rather through the work of the week can you create the kedushah of Shabbos. Shabbos is not an absence of… Continue reading
Parshas Vayakhel
Posted by
Rabbi Yosef Tropper
closeAuthor: Rabbi Yosef Tropper
Name: Yosef Tropper
Email: yoseftropper@closetotorah.com
Site: http://www.closetotorah.com/
About: Born, raised and currently living in Baltimore, I am developing my skills as a Rabbinical counselor and leader, under the tutelage of great Torah leaders.
I studied in Eretz Yisrael for over five years at Yeshivas Toras Simcha and Mir and then at Ner Yisrael in Baltimore.
I am a Rebbe at the New Baltimore Yeshiva, a school geared towards maximizing the student's learning experience by providing small classes and interactive learning. I am also involved with outreach, mentoring and tutoring.
I am sincerely grateful to all of the inquisitive truth-seekers, whom I have the privilege of learning with, for challenging me to fulfill what we learn. Thank you for helping me develop and clarify many beautiful ideas which are ultimately published here.
I hope that you enjoy and I welcome your comments and questions.
May we all grow together!See Author's Posts (212)
March 11, 2010 - כ"ו אדר ה' תש"ע

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Every year I struggle with the question of why the Torah found it necessary to dedicate four whole Parshiyos to describing the commandment, building and accounting of the Mishkan? The question always takes me by surprise… Then I search through the Commentators until I find a satisfying answer. This year, Rabbeinu Bechya was my saviour. He states the following interesting observation.
The Torah dedicates much space in describing the… Continue reading
Parshas Pekudei, Parshas Vayakhel
Posted by
Rabbi Yosef Tropper
closeAuthor: Rabbi Yosef Tropper
Name: Yosef Tropper
Email: yoseftropper@closetotorah.com
Site: http://www.closetotorah.com/
About: Born, raised and currently living in Baltimore, I am developing my skills as a Rabbinical counselor and leader, under the tutelage of great Torah leaders.
I studied in Eretz Yisrael for over five years at Yeshivas Toras Simcha and Mir and then at Ner Yisrael in Baltimore.
I am a Rebbe at the New Baltimore Yeshiva, a school geared towards maximizing the student's learning experience by providing small classes and interactive learning. I am also involved with outreach, mentoring and tutoring.
I am sincerely grateful to all of the inquisitive truth-seekers, whom I have the privilege of learning with, for challenging me to fulfill what we learn. Thank you for helping me develop and clarify many beautiful ideas which are ultimately published here.
I hope that you enjoy and I welcome your comments and questions.
May we all grow together!See Author's Posts (212)
March 11, 2010 - כ"ו אדר ה' תש"ע

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ויעש את הכיור נחשת ואת כנו נחשת במראֹת הצֹבאֹת… (לח:ח).
“He made the basin of copper and its base of copper out of the woman’s mirrors…” (38:8).
Rashi quotes the famous words of Chazal that the women brought their mirrors, which they had used in Egypt in order to beautify themselves for their husbands. Moshe was too disgusted to take them, feeling that objects used for… Continue reading
Parshas Pekudei, Parshas Vayakhel
Posted by
Yehuda Goldman
closeAuthor: Yehuda Goldman
Name: Yehuda Goldman
Email: yudigoldman@closetotorah.com
Site: http://www.closetotorah.com
About: Born and raised in Los Angeles, I have enjoyed spending time exploring many Jewish communities around the world and meeting fascinating people. I am currently completing my Rabbinic ordination and training at the Ohr Lagolah Hertz Leadership Training Program at Yeshivas Ohr Somayach in Jerusalem. With my interests in communal sociology, outreach and international affairs, I have had the opportunity to reach out to Jews from a Retirement home in Long Beach, NY to Cong. Beit Hamedrash in Woodland Hills, CA. As the son of both a social worker and psychologist, I am particularly fond of working together with Jews and organizations of various stripes and stars to help bring about effective and positive outreach.I am married to my dear wife Basya, of Detroit, MI, and we live in Maalot Dafna, Jerusalem.I hope you enjoy the Torah thoughts.See Author's Posts (31)
March 9, 2010 - כ"ד אדר ה' תש"ע

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With Pesach just around the corner, stop cleaning (momentarily, that is) and download the revised Ohr Somayach Pesach Handbook today.
With inspiring articles, Halacha and Q/A, it will surely enhance your Pesach.
Mothers, it even has an article about cleaning!
To download click here: www.ohr.edu/pesachbook
Best wishes for a Chag Kasher V’Sameach!… Continue reading
Uncategorized
March 5, 2010 - כ' אדר ה' תש"ע

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“ויהי ברדת משה מהר סיני ומשה לא ידע כי קרן עור פניו בדברו אתו” (שמות לד:כט)
“And it was when Moshe descended from Har Sinai… Moshe didn’t know his face shone as he spoke”
This Passuk seems a little surprising! At Krias Yam Suf and Har Sinai, the Jewish people reached an elevated stage. The ten Makkos, Ananei HaKavod, and the Man proved to them that Hashem… Continue reading
Parshas Ki Sisa
Posted by
Rabbi Yosef Tropper
closeAuthor: Rabbi Yosef Tropper
Name: Yosef Tropper
Email: yoseftropper@closetotorah.com
Site: http://www.closetotorah.com/
About: Born, raised and currently living in Baltimore, I am developing my skills as a Rabbinical counselor and leader, under the tutelage of great Torah leaders.
I studied in Eretz Yisrael for over five years at Yeshivas Toras Simcha and Mir and then at Ner Yisrael in Baltimore.
I am a Rebbe at the New Baltimore Yeshiva, a school geared towards maximizing the student's learning experience by providing small classes and interactive learning. I am also involved with outreach, mentoring and tutoring.
I am sincerely grateful to all of the inquisitive truth-seekers, whom I have the privilege of learning with, for challenging me to fulfill what we learn. Thank you for helping me develop and clarify many beautiful ideas which are ultimately published here.
I hope that you enjoy and I welcome your comments and questions.
May we all grow together!See Author's Posts (212)
March 5, 2010 - כ' אדר ה' תש"ע

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כי תשא את ראש בני ישראל… (ל:יב).
“When you count the Jews…” (30:12).
The sin of the Golden Calf, found in this Parsha, brought the Jew’s victorious exodus to a screeching halt.
The Torah records the event for us to learn its lesson. I believe that an examination of the contents of the entire Parsha will show one underlining theme meant to be learned from… Continue reading
Parshas Ki Sisa
Posted by
Rabbi Yosef Tropper
closeAuthor: Rabbi Yosef Tropper
Name: Yosef Tropper
Email: yoseftropper@closetotorah.com
Site: http://www.closetotorah.com/
About: Born, raised and currently living in Baltimore, I am developing my skills as a Rabbinical counselor and leader, under the tutelage of great Torah leaders.
I studied in Eretz Yisrael for over five years at Yeshivas Toras Simcha and Mir and then at Ner Yisrael in Baltimore.
I am a Rebbe at the New Baltimore Yeshiva, a school geared towards maximizing the student's learning experience by providing small classes and interactive learning. I am also involved with outreach, mentoring and tutoring.
I am sincerely grateful to all of the inquisitive truth-seekers, whom I have the privilege of learning with, for challenging me to fulfill what we learn. Thank you for helping me develop and clarify many beautiful ideas which are ultimately published here.
I hope that you enjoy and I welcome your comments and questions.
May we all grow together!See Author's Posts (212)
March 5, 2010 - כ' אדר ה' תש"ע

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“Mi’Shenichnas Adar Marbim B’Simcha, when we enter the month of Adar, we increase our happiness (Taanis 29a)! The following Dvar Torah is not out-dated, it is most relevant! Yes, Purim has come and gone, but that is exactly what I wish to discuss.
This phrase is mistakenly thought to only apply from the first day of Adar until Purim, half way through the month! However, in truth, those days… Continue reading
Purim Adar Happiness
Posted by
Rabbi Dovid Boruch Kopel
closeAuthor: Rabbi Dovid Boruch Kopel
Name: Dovid Boruch Kopel
Email: dovidboruch@closetotorah.com
Site: http://www.closetotorah.com/
About: I was privileged to launch CloseToTorah.com in November 2008. It is a budding fruit that has started to sprout most beautifully with the help of Hashem. I am currently learning in Kollel Avodas Levi at Yeshivas Ner Yisrael of Baltimore. I am happily married to my dear wife, Ahuva. We live in Baltimore. I hope you enjoy this site!See Author's Posts (81)
February 28, 2010 - ט"ו אדר ה' תש"ע

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Some ideas on the Kedushas Seudas Purim.
It is clear from the gemara in Megilah that part of the decree of Achashvayrosh was due to the fact that Bnei Yisroel benefitted from the meal of Achashvayrosh. I found it odd that the gemara doesn’t call it the seudah of Achashvayrosh rather “אותו הרשע” while that means Achashvayrosh…it still may hint to other things. This seudah embraced every taaveh of… Continue reading
Purim
Posted by
Rabbi Yosef Tropper
closeAuthor: Rabbi Yosef Tropper
Name: Yosef Tropper
Email: yoseftropper@closetotorah.com
Site: http://www.closetotorah.com/
About: Born, raised and currently living in Baltimore, I am developing my skills as a Rabbinical counselor and leader, under the tutelage of great Torah leaders.
I studied in Eretz Yisrael for over five years at Yeshivas Toras Simcha and Mir and then at Ner Yisrael in Baltimore.
I am a Rebbe at the New Baltimore Yeshiva, a school geared towards maximizing the student's learning experience by providing small classes and interactive learning. I am also involved with outreach, mentoring and tutoring.
I am sincerely grateful to all of the inquisitive truth-seekers, whom I have the privilege of learning with, for challenging me to fulfill what we learn. Thank you for helping me develop and clarify many beautiful ideas which are ultimately published here.
I hope that you enjoy and I welcome your comments and questions.
May we all grow together!See Author's Posts (212)
February 26, 2010 - י"ג אדר ה' תש"ע

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One of the most famous questions relating to Megillas Esther is why Hashem’s name does not appear anywhere in the Megillah text?! Hashem who orchestrated the entire salvation should be mentioned?!
I would like to develop an interesting idea which can be learned from here.
The answer is deep, but yet simple. The ultimate expression of love is manifest through silence. When one beholds the sight of the… Continue reading
Purim
Posted by
Rabbi Yosef Tropper
closeAuthor: Rabbi Yosef Tropper
Name: Yosef Tropper
Email: yoseftropper@closetotorah.com
Site: http://www.closetotorah.com/
About: Born, raised and currently living in Baltimore, I am developing my skills as a Rabbinical counselor and leader, under the tutelage of great Torah leaders.
I studied in Eretz Yisrael for over five years at Yeshivas Toras Simcha and Mir and then at Ner Yisrael in Baltimore.
I am a Rebbe at the New Baltimore Yeshiva, a school geared towards maximizing the student's learning experience by providing small classes and interactive learning. I am also involved with outreach, mentoring and tutoring.
I am sincerely grateful to all of the inquisitive truth-seekers, whom I have the privilege of learning with, for challenging me to fulfill what we learn. Thank you for helping me develop and clarify many beautiful ideas which are ultimately published here.
I hope that you enjoy and I welcome your comments and questions.
May we all grow together!See Author's Posts (212)
February 26, 2010 - י"ג אדר ה' תש"ע

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From the time that Moshe Rabbeinu enters the scene in Parshas Shemos throughout the rest of the Torah, this Parsha is the only one which lacks any mention of our great leader. Why is his name omitted?
1- The Vilna Goan states that Moshe’s Yahrtzeit (death anniversary) is the 7th day of Adar. This date usually corresponds with the Parsha of Tetzaveh. Hence, the Torah omits his name to… Continue reading
Parshas Tetzaveh