Back in 1996, Rabbi Finman was asked to speak to the niece of one of his students. After spending many hours answering her questions, the woman gave Rabbi Finman her e-mail address. Rabbi Finman wrote the woman a note and included in it a short insight into that week's Parsha and a short Chasidic story.
Realizing that this was something no one was yet doing,, Rabbi Finman sent the missive to his mailing list of about 30 people. Requests from recipients friends came pouring in. The next week Rabbi Finman sent the e-Parsha to 100 people. Within a year more than 2000 people were receiving it. Today, more than 14,000 receive the e-Parsha weekly and the requests keep coming in.
Behar Bechukosai 5786
Emor 5786
Acharei Mos Kedoshim 5786
Tazria Metzorah 5786
Shmini 5786
Shmini 5786
Please click on the link below to receive the e-Parsha in the way cool HTML version right to your inbox. http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?m=1103523647591&p=oi
=============
YouParsha Shmini http://youtu.be/TLSHJhbsa9E. How can we eat the Shor Habor when it will be slaughtered by the leviathan?
===================================
This week we read Parshas Shmini, Leviticus 9-11. The verse states that if water falls on grain, the grain will become ritually impure. Water falls from a high place to a lower place. It is also used for mixing ingredients. Water represents the Torah. It is an expression of Supreme Divine Will that is manifest in this low level on existence. One who is attached to Supreme Divine Will sees Judaism as alive and vibrant. It is essential that whoever is attached to Supreme Divine Will mix with someone of little knowledge, attracting them to the vibrancy and life that is Judaism.
The forces of impurity are spiritual parasites, targeting only those areas of potential spirituality. This is the deeper meaning why food must come in contact with water to be susceptible to impurity. Only a "moist" Judaism, permeated with the vibrant waters of Torah can be a source of true holiness.
===========================================
The shtetl Kobrin (Poland, Lithuania, Belarus or Russia - depending on the day) belonged to Count Upinsky. While the old count had been friendly to the Jews, inviting them to settle on his lands rent-free, his son and successor was a bitter anti-Semite. The young count was now threatening to expel the Jews and seize all their property unless they paid him both rent and interest for all the years they had lived on his estate.
Reb Leib Sarah's was called to try to intercede with the count. Leib Sarah's travelled to Kobrin and pleaded the Jew's case before the nobleman.
Reb Leib stated, "Sir, your father never expected or demanded rent from the Jews and I ask you in all fairness to cancel their debt. In return they will pray for your success and well-being all the days of your life." "I do not need their prayers, but their money, I cannot do without!" was his angry reply. Leib Sarah's shot the count a burning, penetrating look that had the effect of calming his anger. The count soon regained his composure and continued: "Listen, I am going to make you an offer in the strictest confidence; take care no Jew betrays me. Our Polish people are tired of the Russian Czar's oppression. We are organizing a rebellion and we want Jews to join our side. If you agree, the debt will be cancelled." "No, sir, this we cannot do. Our religion commands us to support the government under which we live. We may not join you." His reply enraged the count. "Get out," he screamed. "You will pay dearly for this!"
Reb Leib went to one of the Parnaisei Ha-ir (town councilmen) Reb Binyomin with news of his failed mission. "Now, I will send you to someone who can indeed help. But you must keep this strictly secret." Deep in the forest was a small hut where a poor broom-maker lived with his wife. The town elder was to go with all his provisions for Shabbat. Arriving at the hut Binyomin saw an old woman sitting in a poorly furnished room. Just then, her husband arrived, his face showing no surprise at the unexpected guest.
Binyomin prayed under the fragrant fir trees and then entered the hut to find the old man reading the Grace after meals slowly like a small child. After quickly eating, Binyomin lied down on a bench outside and fell asleep.
In the middle of the night, he was awakened by the sound of a voice singing Shabbos melodies. The voice came from the hut, but a heavenly voice seemed to echo back. The hut shone with a burning light; Binyomin quickly fell back asleep until morning. The night's vision convinced Binyomin that the broom-maker was no ordinary man. He could hardly wait for the end of the Shabbat to reveal his mission. Before he could relay his request, the broom-maker came to him and said, "The Guardian of Israel has heard the prayers of the Holy congregation of Kobrin. The count's decree is canceled. Go in peace, but never tell anyone about this Shabbos."
The next morning Binyomin returned home to hear what had occurred. On Shabbos morning, a troop of Russian Cossacks stormed the count's castle, arresting him for treason. The governor suspected Upinsky of traitorous activities. One day a letter was intercepted that said the count had been unsuccessful in enlisting the support of the Jews for the rebellion. With this evidence, the castle was seized and the rebellion quashed. In appreciation of their loyalty, the Czar awarded the Kobrin Jews the land of the Upinskys rent and tax-free. Jews lived in Kobin until 1943.
=========================
Listen Weekly to the Jewish Hour Podcast. www.rabbifinman.com. Now available on iTunes, spotify, audacy, and wherever you park your podcasts.
The Torah e-Parsha is a project of Jewish Ferndale. For information on sponsoring the Torah e-Parsha in memory or for the recovery of a loved one, in honor of a simcha or you just feel like being nice, contact via reply. All contributions are tax deductible. Please forward this message to as many friends and associates as you like. © 2026 by Herschel Finman.
Contact Rabbi Finman for information on sponsoring the e-Parsha
