"For Instruction shall come forth from Zion, The word of the L-rd from Jerusalem." -- Isaiah 2:3

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Are you more of an "I'll dive right in and figure it out" person, or a "Show Me How This Thing Works" person?  If the former, go right ahead and try the excerpts browers on the right side of this page and/or scroll through the excerpts that start below the following information -- although we still suggest reading the information first.  If you are the latter, click here for a video demonstrating the Excerpts Browser. Either way (or both), enjoy! 

This page is recommended for searches limited to specific Torah books, weekly portions (parshiot), chapters, verses, and/or sources (authors). For keyword and/or for exact phrase (including verse and source) searches of the entire excerpts database, we recommend using the Search Engine page.  For broadest results, use both pages and alternative search strategies. 

This page displays the full text of all or "sorted" (filtered) excerpts in the database.  Use the "Torah Verses" and/or "Excerpt Sources" browsers at the right to locate the excerpts associated with your desired Torah book, portion, chapter. verse, or author.  Or, simply scroll through the excerpts, using the "boxes" at the bottom of any page displaying excerpts to "jump" ahead or back. 

Also note that immediately below the chapter, verse, and keyword of each excerpt is a highlighted line comprised of multiple links.  Clicking on any of the links will limit (filter) the excerpts display to the selected category.  

Transcription of excerpts is incomplete.  For current status, please see "Transcribed Sources" on the Search Engine page.  To assist with completion, please see "Contributors" page. 

DEUTERONOMY — 31:19 song

Torah Book & Portion, Book of Deuteronomy, Vayelech (Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30), Source Book Keys, AMJV
Page(s): 233-4
DEUT1655 The central Book of Judaism, the Torah itself, is called a song, Shira [this verse]. Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin explains why the Torah is referred to by this term. He states that every song has lyrics and feelings that are implied beneath the surface and not plainly stated. So too, the Torah's main ideas and deeper concepts are not found in the plain text, but must be understood on a hidden, more subtle level, like a song. Ideas in the Torah, like in a song, are often intentionally illusive and implied, and not openly written (Ha'amek Davar, "Introduction to Genesis"). Perhaps, in addition, just as a song has many levels of understanding, the Torah is intended to be understood on many levels. And just as the song contains many feelings and moods within it and varies from person to person, so too, the Torah generates different feelings and moods for different people. Finally, just as the song inspires people, deeply moving them to action and change, so too, the Torah is meant to inspire individuals to act and to change.

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DEUTERONOMY — 31:19 Torah

Torah Book & Portion, Book of Deuteronomy, Vayelech (Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30), Source Book Keys, CHINUCH
Page(s): 392-3
DEUT1657 Each Jew shall write his own sefer Torah. A person's actions are largely a function of the opportunities that he has at hand. For this reason, Hashem wants each Jewish male to have his own sefer Torah in close proximity to him. Thereby, he can learn from it at any time and gain knowledge and fear of Hashem, without having to go to a friend or to a synagogue to learn from a sefer Torah there. By having one’s own sefer Torah, one quickly comes to appreciate the mitzvos--that each one is much more precious than silver or gold. We are commanded to fulfill this mitzvah even if we have inherited a sefer Torah from our parents. Clearly, the more sifrei Torah there are, the better, for they can be lent to Jews who cannot write one and lack the means to hire a scribe to do so. Also, many people prefer reading a new sefer Torah as opposed to an old one inherited from one's parents. One should realize that although the main duty is to write one’s own sefer Torah, the mitzvah also requires us to make maximum efforts to produce books and other learning materials that are reflective of the Torah, are themselves Torah, or are written in the interests of the Torah. Each Jew, to the best of his ability and for the reasons stated above, must help to generate more Torah works, even if he already owns a large Torah library as a family inheritance.

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DEUTERONOMY — 32:1 listen

Torah Book & Portion, Book of Deuteronomy, Haazinu (Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52), Source Book Keys, TEMIMAH-DEUT
Page(s): 367
DEUT1661 It was taught: Why did Moses call heaven and earth to bear witness over Israel? He said to them: Observe the heavens and the earth. Though they were not made to be rewarded or punished, they do not deviate from their assigned path. You, who if you are meritorious, are rewarded, and, if you sin, are punished -- how much more so should you not deviate from your assignment path! (Sifrei)

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DEUTERONOMY — 32:2 rain

Torah Book & Portion, Book of Deuteronomy, Haazinu (Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52), Source Book Keys, PLYN
Page(s): 432
DEUT1662 We should not despair if our admonition does not bring about an immediate change. Words of admonition are analogous to rain. When rain falls on trees and plants, growth is not noticeable immediately. It takes time for the rain to have a visibly effect. So too with admonition. Very often you will try to improve someone, but you will not see a change in that person. Keep trying. If you are sincere, eventually you will notice an improvement. (Rabbi Bunim of Parsischo)

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