Rabbi Yehuda Shaviv

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1. Seven Haftorot of Comfort

   Rabbi Yehuda Shaviv

   Why were these seven particular prophecies by Yeshayahu chosen to comfort us in the seven weeks following Tish'ah B'Av? Perhaps in addition to the comfort they offer, they are linked with the parshiyot they follow.

2. Mishneh Torah - The Book of Second Chances

   Rabbi Yehuda Shaviv

   This article offers an overview of Sefer Devarim, and surveys a myriad of issues raised throughout the book, including: the Divine authorship of Devarim; the centrality of repentance; new Mitzvot that have not yet been commanded; and the role of the community in Mitzvot and in repentance.

3. Punishment and Hope: The Haftora for Tisha B'Av

   Rabbi Yehuda Shaviv

   By closely examining the haftara for Tisha B'Av, we can gain a new understanding of the destruction of the Temple through the imagery expressing brokenness and despair, and the prophecies of punishment. However, the continuation of Yirmiyahu's words shows that knowledge of God means proper social leadership. God presents Himself, as it were: "For I am God who performs faithful love, justice and righteousness in the earth." It turns out that understanding God means knowing Him through these attributes. And what does God desire? That man should follow His ways and likewise perform faithful love, justice and righteousness. These deeds are the key to redemption.

4. Mishneh Torah: The Book of Second Chances

   Rabbi Yehuda Shaviv | 14 minutes

   We survey a variety of issues raised throughout the book of Devarim, including: the Divine authorship of Devarim; the centrality of repentance; new mitzvot that have not yet been commanded; and the roles of the community in mitzvot and in repentance (teshuva).

5. No More Destruction

   Rabbi Yehuda Shaviv

   The haftara emphasizes the power given to humanity to annul the decree of exile, just like the decree of the flood. It also discusses the dispersion of Israel throughout the world for the sake of heaven as a correction for the sin of the "dor hapalaga" the generation that wanted to get together and build a city and towers in order to rebel against God, but who ended up being dispersed against their wishes throughout the world. This teaches us that unity and togetherness which are not for the sake of heaven – especially when directed specifically against God – are doomed to failure and disintegration, even though unity itself is praiseworthy.

6. "They Who Wait Upon God Shall Renew Their Strength" (Yishayahu 40:27-41:16)

   Rabbi Yehuda Shaviv

   Avraham's character teaches all future generations what it means to love God, how God selects His nation, and encounters with the nations of the world - both in battle against them and also by bringing them into the worship of God. 

7. The Haftora for Shabbat Chanuka

   Rabbi Yehuda Shaviv

   There are many lessons to be gleaned from the passage in Sefer Zekharya that we read as the haftara for Shabbat Chanuka. Through a close examination of the text, we learn important messages about Jewish identity and the uniqueness of the nation of Israel in the world. We also learn about the ideal model of leadership: spiritual leadership alongside social leadership, the former embodied by the Leviim and the latter by the sons of Yehuda.

8. The Place of Sukkot in the Cycle of Festivals

   Rabbi Yehuda Shaviv

   The way in which the Torah divides the discussion about Sukkot is somewhat surprising: part of it is included in the portion dealing with the festivals, and the rest is included afterwards as a sort of addendum. An analysis of the text reveals that the days of Sukkot are the epitome of all the festivals of the year, and the joy of these days is the culmination of the joy of all the festivals.