by R. Moshe Kurtz Lomdus on the Parsha: Va’eira Based on the Acclaimed Sefer Chavatzeles HaSharon Q: Can the plague of frogs serve as a proper model for Jewish martyrdom?  “The Nile shall swarm with frogs, and they shall come up and enter your palace, your bedchamber and your bed, the houses of your courtiers and your people, and your ...

by R. Moshe Kurtz Lomdus on the Parsha: Shemos Based on the Acclaimed Sefer Chavatzeles HaSharon Q: Is one culpable for killing someone through supernatural means? Some time after that, when Moshe had grown up, he went out to his kinsfolk and witnessed their labors. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his kinsmen. He turned this way ...

by R. Moshe Kurtz Lomdus on the Parsha: Vayechi Based on the Acclaimed Sefer Chavatzeles HaSharon Q: Is there a limit to how much one may spend on a mitzvah? Zevulun shall dwell by the seashore; He shall be a haven for ships, And his flank shall rest on Sidon. (Genesis 49:13) Zevulun was mentioned before Issachar even though Issachar ...

by R. Moshe Kurtz Lomdus on the Parsha: Vayigash Based on the Acclaimed Sefer Chavatzeles HaSharon Q: Is there a halachic obligation to honor one’s grandparents?  So Yisrael set out with all that was his, and he came to Beer-sheva, where he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Yitzchak. (Genesis 46:1) Rashi cites the Medresh in Bereishis Rabbah ...

by R. Moshe Kurtz Lomdus on the Parsha: Vayeishev Based on the Acclaimed Sefer Chavatzeles HaSharon Q: What right did Reuven have to put his own son’s lives on the line?  Then Reuven said to his father, “You may kill my two sons if I do not bring him back to you. Put him in my care, and I will ...

by R. Moshe Kurtz Lomdus on the Parsha: Vayeishev Based on the Acclaimed Sefer Chavatzeles HaSharon Q: Did the relations between Yehudah and Tamar constitute a sin? He inquired of the council of that locale, “Where is the prostitute, the one at Enaim, by the road?” But they said, “There has been no prostitute here.” (Genesis 38:21) Following the deaths of ...

by R. Moshe Kurtz Lomdus on the Parsha: Vayishlach Based on the Acclaimed Sefer Chavatzeles HaSharon Q: Did the inhabitants of the city of Shechem deserve to be killed? On the third day, when they were in pain, Shimon and Levi, two of Yaakov’s sons, brothers of Dinah, took each his sword, came upon the city unawares, and slew all ...

by R. Moshe Kurtz Lomdus on the Parsha: Vayeitzei Based on the Acclaimed Sefer Chavatzeles HaSharon Q: Was Yaakov permitted to use the stones he rested on for an altar? Early in the morning, Yaakov took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. ...

by R. Moshe Kurtz Lomdus on the Parsha: Toldos Based on the Acclaimed Sefer Chavatzeles HaSharon Q: What is the origin and rationale behind a father reciting a blessing for absolution of his son’s sins? When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the outdoors; but Jacob became a mild man, raising livestock. (Genesis 25:27) ...

by R. Moshe Kurtz Lomdus on the Parsha: Chayei Sarah Based on the Acclaimed Sefer Chavatzeles HaSharon But when food was set before him, he said, “I will not eat until I have told my tale.” He said, “Speak, then.” (Genesis 24:33) Eliezer, servant of Avraham, is tasked with finding  a wife for his master’s son, Yitzchak. Upon entering Besuel’s ...