Parshat Maasei opens with a review of the journeys the Jews traveled during their forty years in the Sinai Desert, where they camped in a total of 42 cities. The Torah then focuses its attention on the Jews entering the Land of Israel. They are commanded to drive out the Canaanites; if not, these people […]
The parsha of Mattos opens with a discussion of the laws of vows and oaths. The Torah impresses upon us to take our words seriously and not fall victim to the “talk is cheap” mentality. The Torah then describes the Jewish people’s battle against Midian and their eventual victory. Before the Jews cross into the […]
Parshas Pinchos opens with the culmination of the saga that began in last week’s portion, when Pinchas, Aaron’s grandson, slew the prince of the tribe of Shimon as he publicly engaged in a licentious act. G-d rewards Pinchas with the Covenant of Peace and the priesthood. Pinchas’s quick response stops a plague that had broken […]
This week’s parsha, Sh’lach, recounts a pivotal episode in the Jewish People’s journey through the desert. As the Jewish People prepare to enter the Land of Israel, they send twelve eminent leaders to survey the Promised Land, ten of whom return with negative reports. Caleb and Joshua are the only ones who speak well of […]
This week’s portion, Nasso, is the longest parsha in the Torah. It describes and assigns the care- taking jobs that the Levites were to perform to serve the Creator in the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The Torah then commands that people who are afflicted with certain spiritual impurities are to be removed from the Jewish camp to […]
Imagine that your boss offers you an ideal opportunity. To burnish your skills and knowledge in your field, he offers to provide you with an all-expenses paid sabbatical to study under the undisputed leader/innovator in your field. To maximize the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, he’s undertaken to provide you with all your needs so you can apply […]
If you were to venture into the kitchen and start exploring the contents of each cabinet, you would most likely chance upon a cabinet whose contents contain numerous containers of spices. You may ask yourself, “What is the point of all this? Food can be cooked and served as is, why the need for spice? […]
In the summer of 2005 I had the privilege of serving as a Rabbi in a sleepaway camp in the Pocono Mountains. My job entailed giving classes to a group of young, energetic teenagers who worked as the camp’s waiters. One day, the head waiter approached me with a request. Being a Torah-observant camp, the […]
There is nothing more “treif” (non-kosher) than a pig. Pig has always represented the prototype of impurity, the quintessential “treif” (non-kosher) item. In Hebrew, the very word for pig has become a common epithet used to refer to all repulsive, unwanted items or behaviors – even those having nothing to do with food. Something really […]
The arduous journey was finally nearing its conclusion. The Jewish people had wandered through the desert for forty long years. Years filled with ups and downs, complaints and miracles, awesome accomplishments and tragic disappointments (much like life itself). Through all their tribulations the Jewish people were not alone; G-d provided them with the greatest leaders […]