The Ma'amarim are arranged by weekly Torah portion. You can read full texts
or download Ma'amarim by clicking on the links below. (To download a free Adobe
Acrobat reader, go to www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html)
| Torah Ohr |
Likutei Torah |
| Bereishis (Genesis) |
Sh'mos (Exodus) |
Vayikra (Leviticus) |
Bamidbar (Numbers) |
D'varim (Deuteronomy) |
|
Bereishis: Lo Tov Heyos HaAdam
Levado -- Creation of the universe through the Divine Names "Havaye"
and "Elokim" |
Sh'mos: Zeh Sh'mi L'Olam -- Why negative mitzvos (and the Oral
Torah) stem from a loftier spiritual source than positive mitzvos (and the
Written Torah)
(PDF version) |
Vayikra: Adam Ki Yakriv Mikem
-- Good advice for how we can make our occasional and fleeting feelings of
religious inspiration last
(PDF version) |
Bamidbar-Shavuos:
Vay’daber Hashem El Moshe B’Midbar Sinai -- "Lower-level" vs. "higher-level"
yearning for G-d; The capacity for "higher-level" yearning for G-d is transmitted
to us through the Ten Commandments on Shavuos
(PDF version) |
D'varim: Tzion B’mishpat Tipadeh
V’shaveha Bi’tz’dakah -- Progression from acceptance of G-d on faith
(hoda'ah) to knowing Him with certainty (b'racha); mitzvah observance
facilitates this
(PDF version) |
| Noach:
Mayim Rabim Lo Yuchlu L'Chabos -- Inspiration for those whose struggle
to earn a livelihood threatens to interfere with their spiritual pursuits |
Vaeira: Vay'daber Elokim El Moshe -- Relevance of G-d's answer,
involving the Divine names "Kel Shakai" and "Havaye," to Moshe's question,
"why did G-d make the Jews suffer in Egypt?" (PDF
version) |
Tzav-Pesach:
L’havin Ma Shekasuv B’hagadah, “Matzah Zo She’anu Ochlin…” -- The
spiritual function of eating matza on Passover; differences between the first
Passover and Passover as observed today (PDF
version) |
Shavuos: VaEh’yeh Etzlo Amon
-- A profound and fundamental ma'amar for Shavuos, in which the innermost,
essential nature of Torah is explained
(PDF version) |
VaEschanan:
V’Ahavta Eis Havaye Elokecha, etc. -- [To be completed.] The unity of G-d as expressed in the Shema
prayer; the intention behind each paragraph
(PDF version) |
|
Lech-Lecha: B'Etzem HaYom
Hazeh Nimol Avrohom -- Traditionally recited by the father at a circumcision |
Bo:
B’etzem Hayom Hazeh Yatz'u Kol Tzivos Hashem Me’eretz Mitzrayim
-- Significance of the various names of G-d; progression of G-dly revelation
over time; difference between the Pentateuch and the books of the Prophets
(PDF version)
|
|
Naso:
Naso Es Rosh B’nei Gershon -- Structure of our daily prayer service
and the emotions each section is designed to elicit; correspondence to the
Levite families of Gershon, Kehos and Merari, who carried the Tabernacle in
the desert (PDF
version) |
Eikev:
Eretz Harim U’vkaos -- G-d's heavenly "attributes" are mirrored
in ours and vice-versa; this is symbolized by the mountains and valleys of
Israel (PDF
version) |
|
Vayeira: Erda Na --
G-d's knowledge of the world; the "mechanics" of reward and punishment |
B'shalach:
L'havin Inyan Lechem Mishne -- Spiritual purpose of eating; how
to hold the challah on Shabbos |
Tazria: Sos Tasis V’Sagel Ha’akara -- Why it is preferable for
us not to wait for inspiration from above, but to approach G-d on our own
first; how one who has not done this may still make things right
(PDF version)
|
B'ha'alos'cha: B’ha’alos’cha
Es Haneiros (#2) -- symbolism of the Jews' request for meat in the
wilderness; why Aaron's role in lighting the Menorah was superior to that
of the tribal heads in offering sacrifices
(PDF version) |
R'ei (and Elul) #1:
Ani L'Dodi V'Dodi Li: Roshei Teivos Elul -- An inspiring Ma'amar
about the Jews' relationship with G-d and how the month of Elul, leading into
the High Holidays, is the time to work on it
(PDF version) |
|
Chayei Sara: V'Avraham
Zakein Ba Bayamim -- A paradox: Which is superior, this life or the
next? |
Yisro:
Vechol Ha’am Ro’im Es Hakolos -- Symbolism of the Shofar blasts
and other awesome phenomena at the Decalogue; why we needed the Torah to be
given (PDF
version) |
|
Sh'lach: Vayom'ru … Tova Ha’aretz
M’od M’od -- Spiritual significance of the Land of Israel; how Torah
and mitzvos elevate and refine the world
(PDF version) |
R'ei (and Elul) #2:
Ani L'Dodi V'Dodi Li: Haro'eh Bashoshanim -- The Thirteen Attributes
of Divine Mercy are revealed in the Hebrew month of Elul; how they assist
us in acheiving true repentance (PDF
version) |
|
Toldos: Vayachp'ru Avdei Yitzchok -- Mitzvos throughout the day
access the spirituality developed at morning prayer |
Mishpatim: Lo Sih’ye M’shakeila
Va’akara -- Need for toil and utter humility in the effort to cultivate
authentic love and fear of G-d
(PDF version)
|
|
Korach: V’Hinei Parach Matei Aharon -- Why we need to pray daily
even though our needs were allocated on Rosh Hashana; how almonds symbolize
the function of the kohanim
(PDF version) |
Ki Seitzei: Ki Sih'yena
L'Ish Sh'tei Nashim -- The "G-dly soul" and the "animal soul"; why
it was necessary that the soul descend from Heaven to Earth (PDF
version) |
|
Vayeitzei: Vayashkeim Lavan
Baboker -- Morning prayers elicit G-d's willingness to allow mortals
to relate to Him; only then is any worship possible |
T'ruma: Mi Yitencha K'ach Li -- Symbolism of the Cherubs atop the
Holy Ark; sublime spiritual heights attainable through Torah study, especially
that of those who work for a living
(PDF version) |
Acharei Mos:Ki Bayom
Hazeh Y'chaper -- A maamar for Yom Kippur, containing profound and
fundamental truths for all year
(PDF version) |
|
Ki Savo: Tachas Asher Lo
Avad'ta: Every Jew can achieve true "Simcha Shel Mitzvah" (joy in
performance of mitzvos)
(PDF version) |
|
Vayishlach: Vayeavek Ish
Imo -- If everything comes from G-d, how can "evil" exist?
(PDF version) |
T'tzaveh:
V'Asisah Tzitz Zahav -- Symbolism of the "tzitz," the forehead-plate
worn by Aaron the High Priest
(PDF version) |
K'doshim: V'hadarta P'nei
Zakein -- (a translation.) Knowing (at least some) Torah by heart
binds our soul to G-d at all times
(PDF version)
|
|
Nitzavim: Atem Nitzavim:
The miraculous "pact" between G-d and the Jews, by which he renews His sovereignty
over the universe in response to repentance on Rosh Hashanah
(PDF version)
|
|
Vayeishev: VeHinei Anachnu
M'Almim Alumim -- Purpose of creation: the mystical concepts of "sh'viras
hakeilim" and "extraction of the sparks" of holiness
(PDF version) |
Ki Sisa: Zeh Yit’nu: Kol
HaOver Al HaP’kudim -- Two levels of love for G-d; we cannot all achieve
the second, but the first is the uniform, minimum requirement of every Jew.
(PDF version) |
Emor:
U'Sefartem Lachem MiMacharas HaShabbos -- A beautifully clear explanation
of the meaning of the mitzvah to count the Omer
(PDF version)
|
Pinchas: Tzav Es B’Nei Yisrael
(#1) -- Spiritual significance of the sacrifices
(PDF version) |
Rosh Hashanah: Yom
Tov Shel Rosh Hashanah Shechal Lih'yos BaShabbos -- The spiritual
benefits of Shofar and Shabbos, and why we do not sound the Shofar on Shabbos
(PDF version)
|
|
Miketz: Ner
Chanukah Mitzvah L'Hanicha: -- Chanukah
(PDF
version) |
Vayakhel: Vayakhel Moshe
-- Significance of Shabbos, and the order of its mention, in relation to the
coverings and vessels of the Tabernacle; spiritual effects of Torah study
and mitzvah performance and how these are symbolized by the Tabernacle
(PDF
version) |
|
Matos-Masei:
L’va’er Inyan HaMasa’os Bamidbar -- How the 42 encampments of the
Jews in the wilderness laid the groundwork for spiritual elevation in the
Messianic era
(PDF version) |
Vayeilech: Shuva Yisroel -- Shabbos Shuva
(PDF version) |
|
Vayigash: Vayigash Eilav Yehudah:
The Tabernacle and the Temple parallel the present and Messianic "architecture"
of the universe
(PDF version)
|
P'kudei: Eileh P'kudei Hamishkan:
Superiority of negative mitzvos over positive mitzvos; "mishkan" corresponds
to positive mitzvos, "mishkan ha'eidus" to negative mitzvos; insights into
Passover matzah, daily prayer and their relation to the above
(PDF version) |
|
|
Ha'azinu: Ha'azinu
-- "T'shuva" as "return" or elevation of the soul to its spiritual source:
daily; even more so on Shabbos; and ultimately on Yom Kippur, the "Shabbos
of Shabboses"
(PDF version)
|
|
Vayechi: Chachlili Einayim
Miyayin: Types of love for G-d and how to arouse them: "Eternal Love,"
"Great Love" and "Delightful Love"
(PDF version) |
T'tzaveh-Purim:
Chayav Inash Livsumei (#2): A profound and far-reaching discourse
which the Tzemach Tzedek called simply "the Purim discourse" because
its subject expresses the central theme of Purim
(PDF version) |
B'chukosai:
Im B’chukosai Seileichu--Engraved vs. written letters; souls are
superior even to angels, for souls can develop and progress spiritually, while
angels are static
(PDF version) |
|
Succos: Ush'avtem Mayim B'sason -- The "season of our rejoicing"
and the reason for the boundless joy of Succos' water-pouring ceremony
(PDF version)
|
