Why was it so important for the mishkan to demonstrate how terrible hatred for fellow Jews is? How did Aharon's need for two korbanos as atonement show the gravity of presenting a negative example to others? Along with an important explanation of how eating can either serve to keep the whole Torah, or bring one's level far below what it should be.
Why is a woman who gave birth required to bring a sacrifice afterward? Many think the idea of leprosy and quarantine of the leper are health measures. Rabbi Samson Rafael Hirsch proves that this can't be further from the truth. It's so easy to speak negatively about others - how does the metzora show the great effort it takes to rectify the damage?
The comparison between lason hara and the three cardinal sins seems to be an exaggeration. Rabbi Rosenblum paints the frightening scene that takes place in Heaven as we speak negatively, bringing home the gravity of that seemingly simple transgression. He goes on to discuss the motivations behind lashon hara, finding hints to them in the verses regarding the metzora.
Why were some homeowners' plagued with tzara'as (a malignant disease) in the stones of their houses? In Hashem's eyes, a donation from a wealthy man could very well be considered less important than a poor man's meager contribution - and Rabbi Rosenblum proves it. Along with other interesting vorts hear the connection between dipping in a mikveh and the Torah.
The ritual of sending a goat to Azazel - throwing it down the mountain to die, is unusual and almost bizarre. How can we understand it? Rabbi Rosenblum also gives over an important lesson that sheds new light on Jewish history, and the reason for our constant persecution. Along with an understanding of the miracle of a non-miracle.
Our sages say that if we can cry over the deaths of Aharon's sons, we will merit that none of our children will die in our lifetimes. But how can we shed tears over something so removed? Hear the key to mourning the death of any great man, as well as some vorts on the sanctity of marriage, and the power of tzedakkah.
How far can a person be decadent and indecent - even within the boundaries of Torah law? And according to the Torah, what is the best business strategy for making lots of money? Rabbi Rosenblum gives over several classic vorts of this parsha - which Rashi himself says contains many fundamental Torah concepts.
Did you know that the exquisite clothing of the Kohen Gadol have hidden within their seams great lessons of how to correct and even reprimand people in a manner easy to accept? From where did we garner the strength to die Al Kiddush Hashem? What impact does yovel have on how we view lashon hara? Rabbi Rosenblum takes a tour of rarely heard gems from the weekly parsha.
Rabbi Rosenblum teaches a fundamental concept on inspiration, and making sure it doesn't dissipate before we have a chance to really do something with it. Also discussed - how we can bring Mashiach, and fix the flaws of the world.
The great leap faith of faith we make from letting the ground lay fallow in the seventh year of Shemittah is difficult but transformative. We are forced to admit that nature is not the deciding factor of our lives, and place ourselves under Hashem's guidance. Rabbi Rosenblum's class on the force of this lesson and how it pulls more of the Divine hand into our lives is relevant and powerful.