_(english).jpg "Taking the Spiritual Dive")
_(english).jpg "Genetic Screening for Breast Cancer Genes")
_(english).jpg "When Bad Things Happen")
_(english).jpg "Judaism and the 12-Step Program")
+.jpg "Knowledge and Wisdom")
+.jpg "Moshe, Miriam and Prophecy")
+.jpg "Don't Give Up")
About the Author
Rabbi Yehonasan Gefen
Rabbi Yehonasan Gefen is a close student of Rabbi Yitzchak Berkovits and a senior member of the Jerusalem Kollel. Rabbi Gefen’s has spent over 12 years of intensive Torah and Talmudic study at Aish HaTorah and the Jerusalem Kollel, and has a degree in history and politics from the University of Birmingham, UK. Rabbi Gefen has written numerous articles for Hamodia and other publications. His writing inspires people across the spectrum of Jewish observance to live with the vibrancy and beauty of Torah.
Rabbi Gefen has recently published his second book, A Light in Time, a compilation of essays on the Jewish festivals and life cycle. Rabbi Gefen’s successful first book, The Guiding Light, a compilation of essays on the weekly Torah portion.
Visit Rabbi Gefen's site at http://rabbiygefen.blogspot.com/
Understanding the Sins in the Desert
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenThe Portion begins with the Jewish people on the threshold of entering Israel but ends with a series of sins that culminates with the sin of the ...
The Importance of the Individual
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenTowards the end of the Portion, the Torah describes at great length the offerings of the Nesi'im (Princes) on the day that the Tabernacle was ...
The Two Stages of Divine Service
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenIn the Torah's account of the Tribe of Levi it reviews the tragic deaths of Aaron's righteous sons, Nadav and Avihu. On this occasion it adds a ...
Living With Our Learning
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenBechukotai begins with the Torah telling us the conditions under which God will provide the Jewish people with peace and sustenance. "If you ...
Giving With Dignity
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenIn a number of places in the Torah, we are instructed to give charity to the poor. One of those exhortations is in Parshas Behar: "If your ...
Our Portion in Olam Haba
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenThe Torah Portion ends with the distressing story of the son of an Egyptian man and Jewish woman who committed the grave sin of blasphemy and as a ...
Do Not Hate Your Brother In Your Heart
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenThe Torah Portion of Kedoshim is replete with mitzvot that teach about interpersonal relationships. Towards the end of this section, the Torah ...
Going Forward
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenIn the midst of the Portion's outline of various mitzvot, the Torah exhorts us with regard to our observance of the Torah in a general sense: ...
Brit Mila: Why the Eighth Day
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenTazria discusses one of the most well-known and observed Mitzvot; that of brit mila (circumcision).(1) It stresses that the mila must take place on ...
Understanding the Tzaraat on the Houses
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenThe Torah Portion Metzora outlines the various forms of the affliction of tzaraat.(1) Having completed discussion of the tzaraat on the body, the ...
Acquiring a Friend
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenThe Torah Portion begins with the joyful celebrations of the Inauguration of the Mishkan (tabernacle), however this joyous occasion becomes a time ...
The Symbolism of the Sacrifices
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenIn this week's Portion, the Torah introduces us to two of the most important kinds of offerings: The Olah (elevation) offering(1) and the Shelamim ...
The 'Right' Kind of Jealousy
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenDuring its outline of the various korbanot (sacrifices), the Torah forbids bringing offerings of leaven and honey.(1) It then immediately tells us ...
Fulfilling Our Potential
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenIn the midst of its account of the building of the Tabernacle (Mishkan) the Torah states that, "Every man whose heart inspired him ...
Clearing the Confusion
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenThe sin of the Golden Calf is one of the most difficult to comprehend episodes in the Torah. The commentaries discuss at length how the Jewish ...
The Roots of Gossip
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenThe Talmud tell us that the various items of clothing of the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) served as atonements for the sins of the Jewish people. The ...
Striking the Right Balance
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenThe Torah states regarding the walls of the Tabernacle: "The center crossbar shall go through the middle of the beams, from one end to the ...
Complete Kindness
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenIn the Portion of Mishpatim the Torah instructs us with regard to lending money to our fellow in need. The Torah states: "When you lend money ...
Rav Noach Weinberg zt"l
by Rabbi Yehonasan Gefen"I am the Lord, Your God, who took you out of the land of Egypt from being slaves." (1) The first of the Ten Commandments is the mitzvah ...
Freeing Ourselves
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenThis week's Torah portion begins with a description of how the Jewish people finally left Egypt and the yoke of Pharaoh. As they faced the Sea of ...
The Third Stage of Redemption
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenThe Torah Portion describes the final three Plagues and the events that led up to the Jewish people finally leaving Egypt. The Midrash tells us that ...
The Plague of Frogs
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenThe second of the ten plagues was frogs. Rashi cites a Rabbinic source that describes how this plague manifested itself; at first one single frog ...
Responding To Divine Providence
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenAfter enslaving the Jewish people, Pharaoh was informed by his astrologers that a baby boy was destined to be born who would redeem the Jewish ...
The Root of Sin
by Rabbi Yehonasan Gefen"Reuven, you are my first-born, my strength and my initial vigor, foremost in rank and foremost in power. Water-like impetuosity - you cannot ...
Joseph - Second In Command
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenThe Torah Portion begins with Joseph revealing himself to his brothers. He informs them that they need not feel guilty for what they had one because ...
Joseph's Strength
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenThe Torah Portion, Mikeitz continues the account of Joseph's remarkable tenure in Egypt; it relates to how he endured terrible suffering, and yet ...
Joseph's Dreams
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenThe Torah Portion begins with an account of the deterioration of the relationship between Joseph and his brothers. Joseph's two dreams played a very ...
Using the Yetzer Hara for the Good
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenUpon his return to the land of Israel, Jacob sends a peace-making message to his hostile brother, Esau. He begins the message saying, "I lived ...
Waiting
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenSoon after coming to work for Lavan, Jacob agreed to work for seven years in exchange for Rachel's hand in marriage. The Torah tells us that this ...
Using Strength In the Right Way
by Rabbi Yehonasan Gefen"And Isaac loved Esau for game was in his mouth, but Rebecca loved Jacob."(1) One of the most difficult aspects of Toldos is Isaac's ...
Relying on Miracles
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenAfter arranging the burial of his wife, Sarah, Abraham sends his faithful servant, Eliezer, to search for a suitable wife for his son, Isaac. ...
Kindness Versus Independence
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenOne of the most famous episodes in the Torah Portion is that of the destruction of Sodom. The city of Sodom is unrivalled in its reputation for ...
Circumcision: The Individual's Covenant With God
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenThe Portion(1) ends with the command for Abraham to perform bris mila (circumcision). The Sefer Hachinuch notes a unique aspect of this mitzvah. ...
Depth and Superficiality
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenThe Torah Portion ends with a very short account of the early life of Abraham. It outlines his family, including his brother, Haran, and how he met ...
The Potential for Greatness and Lowliness
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenParshat Bereishit describes the Creation of the first man, Adam. Adam represents the totality of the human race and since every human being in ...
Vezos HaBracha – Moses' Greatest Deed
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenThe Torah concludes with a stirring eulogy for Moses, ending with praise for, “the strong hand and awesome power that Moshe performed before ...
Our Approach to Learning Torah
by Rabbi Yehonasan Gefen"When I call out the Name of HaShem, ascribe greatness to our God."(1) The Rabbis learn out from this verse the obligation of Birchas ...
Taking Responsibility For Ourselves
by Rabbi Yehonasan Gefen"This mitzvah that I command you today - it is not hidden from you and it is not distant. It is not in heaven, [for you] to say, 'who can ...
Establishing Torah
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenWhen the Jewish people entered the land, they were to assemble at two mountains for a new acceptance of the Torah, but the command to do so is found ...
Making the Most of Our Strengths
by Rabbi Yehonasan Gefen“An Ammonite and Moabite shall not enter the congregation of God, even their tenth generation shall not enter the congregation of God, to ...
Our Influence On Others
by Rabbi Yehonasan Gefen"Who is the man who is fearful and faint-hearted? Let him go and return to his house, and let him not melt the heart of his fellows to be like ...
Giving With a Smile
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenThe Torah portion discusses the mitzvah of charity and promises a special blessing to one who fulfills this mitzvah with joy: "You will surely ...
Clinging to the Wise Man
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenIn this week's Portion, the Torah commands the people to go in the ways of God and to "cling to Him." (1) The Sifri,(2) quoted by Rashi, ...
The Two Tablets
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenThe Torah Portion contains a repetition of the Ten Commandments, with a few minor changes. The Mabit(1) makes a remarkable observation about the two ...
The Connection Between Calmness and Trust in God
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenThe Torah Portion begins with Moses rebuking the Jewish people for the various sins that they committed in the desert. One of the first sins that he ...
The Torah's Definition of Chesed
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenTowards the end of the Torah portion, the Torah speaks at length about the cities of refuge; areas that are set aside for unintentional murderers. ...
The Value of Life
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenOne of the main incidents in this week's Torah portion is the war between the Jewish people and the Midianites. In the midst of the battle, the Jews ...
Shimon and Levi
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenThe Torah portion begins with God rewarding Pinchas greatly for his act of zealousness in killing Zimri and Cozbi who were committing a grave sin. ...
Living For God
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenThe Sages tell us that Bilaam had incredible powers of prophecy which in some ways were even greater than those of Moses. Yet, at the same time, he ...
The 'Reasons' For the Commandments
by Rabbi Yehonasan GefenThe Torah portion begins "this is the statute (chok) of the Torah" and proceeds to discuss the laws of the red heifer (Parah Adumah), a ...
