Hal Miller

Purim - 5786 Rabbi Hal Miller (Reminder: It is traditional that on Purim we read "Purim Torah". These are fashioned in the same way as regular divrei Torah, but are humorous, nonsensical, and often just plain silly. Any "rulings" of law herein are expressly disclaimed as being jokes, not serious.... Oh, and bear in mind you're supposed to be a little schicker when you read it.  --HM) Those of you who have been following my writings over the past thirty-some years are aware of

Shabbat Parashat Tetzaveh - 5786 Rabbi Hal Miller   You shall place it (Tzitz) on a turquoise woolen string and it shall be on the Mitznefet,   opposite the face of the Mitznefet shall it be. Shemot [28:37] There is much room for confusion in the verses about the special garments for Aharon as the Kohen Gadol. Here in our parsha God gives Moshe the commandments, and in Vayikra [8:9] these commands are actually implemented. Our verse says to put the Tzitz on a string of techei

Shabbat Parashat Terumah - 5786 Rabbi Hal Miller   Speak to the children of Israel and they shall take to Me a portion, from every man   whose heart will motivate him you shall take My portion. [Shemot 25:2] Nearly all givings for holy purposes are commandments. Some are sacrifices, whether for atonement such as a guilt offering, or whether for a holiday such as the Pesach. Some are non-sacrifical offerings, such as the taking of challah, giving tzedakah or bringing of first

Shabbat Parashat Mishpatim - 5786 Rabbi Hal Miller   They saw the God of Israel and under His feet was the likeness of a sapphire   brick and it was like the essence of the heavens in purity. [Shemot 24:10] At first glance, this verse seems very odd. Who was seeing, what were they looking at, and what is this verse doing here? The first question is easily answered from the previous verse, "Moshe, Aharon, Nadav and Avihu and seventy of the elders of Israel ascended." That migh

Shabbat Parashat Yitro - 5786 Rabbi Hal Miller   Moshe said to God, the people will not be able to ascend Mount Sinai for You   have warned us saying bound the mountain and sanctify it. [Shemot 19:23] In verse 21, God tells Moshe to descend the mountain and warn the people not to approach Mount Sinai. But in verse 12 God had told Moshe to warn the people that if they approach the mountain they will die. Our verse now is Moshe asking God why he needs to descend and warn them a