Parsha- SoulWords Rabbi Shais Taub

The name of this week's Torah portion Emor literally means "speak." Why is it important that we speak? What is the special power of speech?

The Torah reading of Kedoshim begins: "You shall be holy because I, the L-rd your G-d, am holy." Why is this single statement considered to be the foundation of mitzvah observance?

Why does the Torah require one to bring a sin offering for an inadvertent sin? What is the point of atoning for something that was an accident? The answer can only be understood by first explaining the Torah's view on our subconscious motives.

In this week's portion, Moshe makes a financial audit of the charitable contributions made toward the building of the sanctuary in the desert. Why does Rashi say that Moshe counted "the weight" of the donations made by the people and not the value?







To answer this question, we must answer another question: What is the value of a mitzvah that is performed without feeling?

What are the real causes of shame and self-consciousness and what can be done to overcome them? The answer lies in understanding the mysterious "tachash" animal (sometimes translated as a unicorn) whose colorful skins were used to decorate the sanctuary in the wilderness.

Four fifths of our people did not leave Egypt at the time of the Exodus. Why will the coming redemption with Moshiach be different? Why is the answer to the wicked son of the Haggadah to remind him that if he had been in Egypt he would not have been redeemed? We will understand all of this in light of a little known story about when the Lubavitcher Rebbe reached out to chess master Bobby Fischer who had renounced his Jewish identity.