075 - Vayikra 1 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

076 - Vayikra 2 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

077 - Vayikra 3 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

078 - Vayikra 4 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

079 - Vayikra 5 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

080 - Tzav 1 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

081 - Tzav 2 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

082 - Tzav 3 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

083 - Tzav 4 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

084 - Tzav 5 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

084b - Tazria-Metzora 1 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

084c - Tazria-Metzora 2 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

085 - Tazria-Metzora 3 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

086 - Acharei Mos 1 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

087 - Acharei Mos 2 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

088 - Kedoshim 1 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

089 - Kedoshim 2 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

090 - Emor 1 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

091 - Emor 2 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

092 - Emor 3 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

093 - Emor 4 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

094 - Emor 5 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

095 - Behar-Bechukosai 1 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

096 - Behar-Bechukosai 2 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

097 - Behar-Bechukosai 3 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

098 - Behar-Bechukosai 4 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

16 - Emor - Gan Eden's Bread by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe Sefiras Haomer is counting from the sacrifice of the barley to the sacrifice of the wheat. The korban of the barley was brought on Pesach to bring blessing to the grains and the korban of the wheat was brought on Shavuos to bring blessing to the fruits of the tree. In the ideal world, in the world of Gan Eden, bread grew on trees. There was no need to work the land and process the grains in order to then bake bread. It was like fruit, ready and available for the taking. When man sinned, work was then required which took time and effort away from the spiritual world. During Sefiras Haomer we are counting toward the giving of the Torah which put the Jewish nation back in the state of Gan Eden. We are counting toward the day when we are far above the animals who eat from the field and we can completely focus on having a spiritual life.

16 - Vayikra - Pesach, Korbanos and The 13 Principles of Faith by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe We explore how the Rambam's 13 principles of faith are brought out through the story of Yetzias Mitzrayim. Even when one is not looking out for these principles, the belief in G-d and His personal relationship with us comes out through the story. Additionally, the specific destiny of the Jewish people which will never be lost is clear. The fact that we have korbanos and the opportunity for forgiveness ensures that we will continue to survive throughout each persecution, with Hashem saving His beloved people and looking out for them every step of the way.

17 - Bechukosai - Constancy by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

17 - Tazria/Metzora - Hidden Treasures by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe One of the laws found in these Parshios is the law that requires one to knock down a wall on which Tzoraas is found. The Medrash says that when this wall was knocked down, they would find gold and silver hidden behind the stones. In this punishment, there was hidden treasures. Hashem’s motivation is always to do good, even if doing good means striking out sometimes. To be able to speak about a hidden treasure within all difficult events, one needs to focus on this and then he will be able to accept it with joy.

18 - Acharei Mos/Kedoshim - Saying Shema B'Ahava by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe In Parshas Acharei Mos, we learn that Eretz Yisroel is unable to tolerate arayos (immorality) and that it will expel people who involve themselves in such behaviors. Hashem's hashgacha (divine providence) is directly upon Klal Yisroel living in Eretz Yisroel, and it is more potent there than any other place Jewish people live. When we say Shema, we are declaring our emunah in Hashem and in His direct hashgacha. In galus, Hashem turns His face away and acts as though He is not directly involved. As Bnei Yisroel we already believe in Hashem's involvement, and when the geulah arrives the entire world will be aware of His presence.

18 - Tzav - The Korbanos Ladder by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe Purim has many allusions to korbanos. When we shect (slaughter) an animal, we are elevating it by allowing it to become part of a higher level of creation, the human. When Esav sold the bechorah to Yaakov, he expressed that he had no desire or use for something transcendent, as he is a man of this world. In contrast, we always work to bring things up and elevate them in order to become closer to Hashem. The names of the advisors who told Achashverosh to kill Vashti are references to the different elements of korbanos. Hashem then planted Esther in the palace so that we could ultimately return to serving Him in the Beis Hamikdash, elevating material elements to come closer to Him.

18 - Vayikra - Chametz on Pesach & In The Mikdash- Third Aliyah by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe In the third aliyah of Parshas Vayikra, we learn about the prohibition against bringing se'or (sourdough) or honey on the mizbeach, and the requirement to bring salt with every korban. Chametz (also called se'or, sourdough) represents strict judgement, while the sweet honey represents completer mercy. The world is maintained with a balance of the two, as expressed through the salt (a mixture of fire and water.) We are commanded not to eat chametz on Pesach, which is a time of complete mercy when Hashem took us out from Mitzrayim. The Beis Hamikdash is a place of a blend of rachamim (mercy) and din (judgement), as represented by the required salt, and ban on chametz and honey.

19 - Emor - Lag B'Omer - Emunah of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe A Kohen is prohibited from coming in contact with a corpse, which is the strongest kind of tumah (impurity). A Kohen is set aside to serve Hashem in the Beis Hamikdash, and focuses on the neshama (soul); therefore, he should not come close to a dead body, which is far removed from its neshama. Because the Kohen is working for Hashem, Hashem provides for him, and he is not supposed to worry about making a living. Other people can become like Kohanim in this regard, dedicating their lives to serve Hashem in such a complete manner that He will provide for all of their needs. This was the signature emunah (faith) of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, who was completely focused on Torah. Hashem provided his needs as he learned for 12 years, and he did not need to worry about making a living.

19 - Kedoshim - Kedusha and Prayer by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe In Parshas Kedoshim we find the mitzvah of "Kedoshim Tihiyu", we should be kadosh(holy) because Hashem is kadosh. In Parshas Bereishis there is an interesting parallel between the creation of Chava and the creation of man himself. Hashem created a helpmate for Adam in order for him to have someone to connect to, someone created from his very flesh that is similar to him. The creation of man in relation to Hashem serves the same purpose. People have a Tzelem Elokim, as we were created in the image of G-d. This similarity enables us to connect to Him and attach ourselves to His kedusha. Our other unique gift as human beings, the power of speech, allows us to use our connection to Hashem to uplift ourselves and our prayers.

19 - Shemini - Subordination and Initiative by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe There are many different aspects of the sin of Nadav and Avihu that caused their deaths. One aspect that Chazal speak about is that they decided a halacha before their teacher Moshe, thus stepping out of the boundaries of mesorah. However, it seems that Elazar and Isamar did the same thing later on, when they decided to burn the chatas (sin offering) rather than eat it. There is a balance to both of these elements, and a value when done in the proper framework: on the one hand, parents teaching to children, and on the other, children teaching parents.

19 - Tzav - Korban Todah & Pesach- Third Aliyah by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe In the third aliyah of Parshas Tzav, we learn about the korban todah. This thanksgiving offering is brought under 4 circumstances when a person was saved-from illness, traveling in the desert or ocean, or being released from captivity. The Maharal explains how Bnei Yisrael went through each of these elements through the enslavement and redemption from Mitzrayim. Although the korban todah includes chametz, on Pesach, we cannot bring this offering, requiring us to recognize that everything comes from Hashem, even when it appears to be through the hands of people.

20 - Behar, Bechukosai - Illness and Emunah by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

20 - Emor - Daas - Connection & Discrimination by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe The Kohanim are not allowed to become tameh (ritually impure) from a corpse, which is the physical shell of the body, devoid of the spiritual element. Daas, knowledge and understanding, is a fundamental human trait that distinguishes us from animals and gives us the ability to bring together heaven and earth. With proper daas, we can also discern what needs to be separated and distant from us. We daven for daas in the first request of the weekday Shemoneh Esrei, emphasizing its importance as the prerequisite to any action that we take.

20 - Emor - Sefiras Haomer- Fourth Aliyah by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe In the 4th aliyah of Parshas Emor, Sefiras Haomer is discussed as the time period between the bringing of the barley offering on Pesach to the offering of the loaves of bread on Shavuos. This transition from the food of animals to the refined, processed food of a human teaches us about our work during this time period. We are involved in the upward process of refining ourselves as human beings, making sure that we express our G-dliness. We mourn the deaths of Rabi Akiva's students, who did not fully appreciate that a human can reach levels of G-dliness and bringing honor to Hashem, even when we are in golus conditions that are much less than honorable.

20 - Shemini - The Two Fires -Third Aliyah by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe In the 3rd aliyah of Parshas Shemini, there are two descriptions of the fire of Hashem. One is the fire that came out to accept the korban, while the other is the fire that consumed Nadav and Avihu. These two fires express the balance of ahavah(love) and yirah (fear). While ahavah is portrayed through expressiveness and open connection, yirah demands necessary restraint. We need to balance these two elements in serving Hashem, both in the mishkan itself, and as we daven for the return of the mikdash.

20 - Tazria - The Metzora, Pesach & The Power of Speech by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe The power of speech as a connector and unifier is the unique power and charge of man. On the night of Pesach, we connect to our ancestors who left Mitzrayim through our koach hadibbur (power of speech). This unique power gives us the ability to join together and become one, unlike the metzora (leper), who uses this power harshly, to divide. Our freedom from Mitzrayim is manifest in our ability to come together as a people, which we are able to do through our power of speech.

21 - Behar - Torah and Agriculture by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe When the yovel year comes, all slaves are freed, reminding us that we can be slaves to no one other than Hashem. As we count between Pesach to Shavuos, we move toward the time when we bring the bikkurim (first fruits) to the Beis Hamikdash, recognizing that what we produce from the land is not our own. Kayin, the first farmer, should have brought this offering to show recognition to Hashem, but he brought the lowest quality produce. This attitude reflects a self-serving one, trying to get the most out of what the land has to offer. However, our job is to recognize that everything comes from Hashem, and we bring proper offerings to reflect this understanding.

21 - Behar, Bechukosai - Returning Home by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

21 - Behar-Bechukosai - Tefillah of Teshuva by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe In the curses enumerated in Parshas Bechukosai, the word "keri" is repeated multiple times. This is explained to mean a certain coldness and lackadaisical approach to serving Hashem, sometimes doing the right thing, and other times, ignoring His will. In Shemoneh Esrei, when we ask Hashem to help us repent, we want to return to an ideal state when we can serve Him in the Beis Hamikdash. Sincere teshuva (repentance) means genuinely regretting the sin, and changing our ratzon so that we express what we truly want, to serve Hashem properly. Hashem accepts this sincere desire as true teshuva.

21 - Tazria/Metzora - Tzaraas, Humility and Eretz Yisrael- Third Aliyah by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe In the 3rd aliyah of Parshas Tazria, tzaraas (leprosy) is discussed on the basar (flesh). This softer term teaches about the importance of humility, and the need to be humble and soft. Tzaraas, a punishment for both improper speech and haughtiness, can only come in Eretz Yisroel, where Hashem's presence is obvious and expressed. It is clear that the existence of Eretz Yisroel relies completely on Hashem, removing any room for haughtiness. When a person acts with humility, that is when they can be healed, unlike the people of Sedom, whose apathy and haughtiness led to their destruction.

22 - Acharei Mos/Kedoshim - Yom Kippur, Angel Powder & Sorcery by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe The 3rd aliyah of Parshas Acharei Mos tells us the intriguing avodah (service) on Yom Kippur of the sa'ir l'azazel-the goat sent off a cliff into the wilderness. We discover the stark differences between the lot of Yaakov and the fate of Se'ir-Esav. The service of Yom Kippur directs us to identify with the heavenly, angelic and transcendent connection with Hashem, as opposed to an underworld of sorcery, which is firmly rooted to the earth and physicality in general.

22 - Bechukosai - Choosing Where We Direct Our Energies by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe The blessings and curses of Parshas Bechukosai are specifically read before Shavuos, when we re-commit ourselves to the Torah. Shavuos is the new year for the fruits of the tree, and also the time that we were returned to the immortal state of Adam before he sinned in Gan Eden. Adam’s curse was related to toiling and working the ground, transforming his toil to physical, when it had been purely spiritual in Gan Eden. As we approach the day of Matan Torah, we want our toil to return to the higher, more lofty work that Adam had in Gan Eden-toil in Torah, to refine us and make us better people.

22 - Shemini - Raising Hands in Prayer- Second Aliyah by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe In the 2nd aliyah of Parshas Shemini, Moshe and Aharon bless Bnei Yisroel that the presence of Hashem should come down into their midst. Aharon blesses the people as well, and he raises his hands for this bracha. This is similar to the raising of Moshe's hands during the war with Amalek, in order to turn our hearts toward Hashem. We recognize that our efforts are not what accomplish; rather, it is Hashem's doing that makes our work come to fruition.

23 - Emor - Perfect Korbonos- Third Aliyah by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe The third aliyah (section) discusses the prohibition of bringing an animal with a blemish as a sacrifice. When a person does something which they value, he wants it to be done perfectly. Although Hashem is not clearly in front of us and we do not see the fire descend from heaven to accept our sacrifices and our prayers, we need to realize that Hashem is listening and accepting and then we will do this avodah (worship) perfectly as we will truly value it.