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The Yalkut Shimoni cites a Midrash from which we can derive a valuable lesson. The story is recounted that Rabbi Chiya bar Abba was crying when he heard that Rabbi Yochanan had sold all his possessions in order to be able to study Torah. He was concerned that nothing had been put aside for Rabbi Yochanan’s old age, when he would have no source of, or ability to earn, an income. Rabbi Yochanan assuaged Rabbi Chiya by saying that it was well worth it, since he had exchanged earthly possessions — which were created in six days — for Torah…

The Ramban notes that the punishment for one who curses his parents is more severe than the punishment for one who strikes and wounds them. The one who curses is put to death by stoning while the one who wounds is executed by choking. The Ramban attributes this discrepancy to the relative frequency of the transgression. The fool curses whenever he gets upset. He berates his Creator, his parents and everyone who, in his small mind, is responsible for his life situation. In order to discourage these wanton acts of disparagement, the Torah has assessed a severe punishment for this…

The term “torn of beasts” originally was applied only to the meat torn by the beasts in the field. It is now applied to any meat which is not ritually fit for Jewish consumption. The Kol Yehudah offers a homiletic rendering of this pasuk, which is unfortunately appropriate in contemporary times. Some individuals would “never” ignore the kashrus laws while they are within their community, i.e. home, family or in public where they are well known.  This is the result either of a sense of shame or the accessibility of kosher food.  When they are out “in the field,” however,…