In this week’s parsha, Parshas Devarim, the fifth book of Torah opens with the following words: אֵלֶּה הַדְּבָרִים, אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר מֹשֶׁה אֶל-כָּל-יִשְׂרָאֵל, בְּעֵבֶר, הַיַּרְדֵּן: בַּמִּדְבָּר בָּעֲרָבָה מוֹל סוּף בֵּין-פָּארָן וּבֵין-תֹּפֶל וְלָבָן וַחֲצֵרֹת--וְדִי זָהָב - these are the words that Moshe spoke to all of Israel on...
In Parshas Matos, the first of this week’s double parshios (chutz la’aretz), the Torah teaches us about a startling exchange between the Bnei Gad, Bnei Reuven and Moshe Rabbeinu. It is year forty of desert wanderings. The nation stands poised to imminently enter the Land,...
In this week’s parsha (chutz la’aretz), Parshas Pinchas, Moshe Rabbeinu is informed that he will see, but not enter, the Land. וַיֹּאמֶר ה’ אֶל-מֹשֶׁה, עֲלֵה אֶל-הַר הָעֲבָרִים הַזֶּה; וּרְאֵה אֶת-הָאָרֶץ, אֲשֶׁר נָתַתִּי, לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - and Hashem said to Moshe: ascend to this mount of...
In this week’s parsha (chutz la’aretz), Parshas Balak, we meet Balak the king of Moav who wishes to bring ruination upon Klal Yisrael. Seeing the success of the Bnei Yisrael with his neighboring countries, Balak is afraid of an attack by the nation of Israel. ...
In this week’s parsha (chutz la’aretz), Parshas Chukas, we learn of the laws of the Parah Adumah, the Red Heifer, whose ashes purify one who has become tamei meis (ritually defiled by proximity/contact with a corpse). While its ashes, mixed with mayim chaim - ‘living...
In this week’s parsha (in chutz la’Aretz) Parshas Korach, Korach - a first cousin to Moshe and Aharon - leads a rebellion against the rulership of Moshe and the kehunah gedolah of Aharon. Fueled by personal motivations of jealousy, lust and the desire for honor,...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Shelach, we learn of the tragic Cheit Ha’Meraglim - the sin of the spies who went to scout out the Land of Israel. After walking the breadth and depth of the Land, the spies returned to the Israelite encampment with...
This week’s parsha (in chutz la’Aretz), Parshas Behaaloscha, begins with the command to Aharon ha’Kohen to kindle the lamps of the menorah in the Mishkan every evening, with a measure of oil that was enough to burn through the longest winter nights. The pasukim tell...
This week’s parsha, Parshas Naso, contains many fascinating topics, including: the Sotah (woman suspected of infidelity), the Nazir (the one who abstains from certain physical pleasures and foods in his quest for holiness), Birkat Kohanim (the Priestly Blessings), and the princely contributions to the Mishkan...
Parshas Bamidbar begins the fourth of the five books of Torah, and with its opening, the Children of Israel prepare to depart from Mt. Sinai. It was at Mt. Sinai that they witnessed the great Revelation, received the Torah and mitzvos, bound themselves by oath...