This Shabbos we read Matos-Masei, which brings the forty-year journey through the wilderness to its close. These two parshios review many of the practical, spiritual, and national preparations necessary for building a Torah society in the Promised Land. Parshas Matos opens with the laws of vows...
In this week’s parsha, Pinchas, the Bnei Yisrael – in their 40th year of desert wandering – continue to prepare for entry into the land of Israel. In the beginning of Perek 27, the Torah tells us about the Bnos Tzelafchad, five righteous women from the...
Parshas Balak introduces us to one of the most fascinating and complex figures in the Torah: Bila’am. Endowed with extraordinary prophetic ability, Bila’am possessed gifts that few people in history ever attained. Yet despite his remarkable talents, he is remembered not as a model of...
Parshas Korach recounts one of the most tragic episodes in the Torah. Korach - a first cousin of Moshe and Aharon - together with Dasan, Aviram, and two hundred and fifty leaders of the nation (most of whom were from the tribe of Reuven), challenges...
Toward the end of Parshas Shelach, following the episode of the spies, the Torah introduces the mitzvah of hafrashas challah (Bamidbar 15:17-21). Hashem commands: וַיְדַבֵּר ה’ אֶל מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹר, דַּבֵּר אֶל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם בְּבֹאֲכֶם אֶל הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי מֵבִיא אֶתְכֶם שָׁמָּה...
In the beginning of Parshas Naso, the Torah continues the census of the nation. Hashem commands Moshe: נָשֹׂא אֶת רֹאשׁ בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן - Take a census (lit. lift up the heads) of the sons of Gershon (Bamidbar 4:22). On a simple level, the Torah is...
With the arrival of Shavuos, we celebrate one of the most transformative moments in Jewish history: Matan Torah. More than a commemoration of a past event, Shavuos is the annual re-experiencing of our standing at Har Sinai and our acceptance of the Torah anew. Yet unlike...
Parshas Bamidbar is always read the Shabbos before Shavuos, the yom tov that commemorates Matan Torah. Chazal teach us that this juxtaposition is not incidental. The Torah reading that precedes Shavuos carries within it an essential message about the preparation necessary to receive the Torah. At...
With the reading of Parshas Behar, the Torah presents a number of mitzvos that govern economic life, interpersonal responsibility, and sensitivity toward others. Among these is a pasuk that, at first glance, appears in the context of financial dealings, yet Chazal reveal its far deeper...
With the reading of Parshas Emor, the Torah presents the cycle of the Jewish calendar year (Vayikra 23). Beginning with Shabbos and continuing through Pesach, Shavuos, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Succos, the Torah outlines the sacred times that shape the rhythm of Jewish life. At...