In the second of this week’s double parshios, Parshas Balak, we learn of King Balak who hired Bilaam, whose last name is rasha (wicked), to curse the Bnei Yisrael. The Israelites are in year forty of their desert wanderings, the first generation (who sinned in the...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Korach, Korach - a first cousin to Moshe and Aharon - begins an uprising against the leadership of his illustrious cousins, Moshe Rabbeinu and Aharon ha’Kohen. Not satisfied with being “only” a Levi, and wanting more kavod (honor) and gedula...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Shelach, we are instructed regarding the mitzvah of tzitzis: And Hashem spoke to Moshe saying: דַּבֵּר אֶל-בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם, וְעָשׂוּ לָהֶם צִיצִת עַל-כַּנְפֵי בִגְדֵיהֶם, לְדֹרֹתָם; וְנָתְנוּ עַל-צִיצִת הַכָּנָף, פְּתִיל תְּכֵלֶת, speak to the Children of Israel, and say to...
This week’s parsha, Parshas Beha’aloscha, begins with the command to Aharon regarding the kindling of the lamps in the Mishkan (Tabernacle). And Hashem spoke to Moshe saying: בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ, אֶת-הַנֵּרֹת, אֶל-מוּל פְּנֵי הַמְּנוֹרָה, יָאִירוּ שִׁבְעַת הַנֵּרוֹת, Speak to Aharon and say to him: When you kindle...
Parshas Naso. Birkas Kohanim. The ancient words of Priestly Blessings resonate strongly still today. May G-d bless you and guard you; May He shine the light of His countenance upon you and endow you with grace; May Hashem lift His countenance to you, וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ...
As we finish our count of Sefiras Ha’Omer, the seven-week journey from Pesach to Shavuos, we find ourselves poised to receive the Torah once again. The Torah reading for Shavuos begins in Parshas Yisro: בַּחֹ֙דֶשׁ֙ הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֔י לְצֵ֥את בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם בַּיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה בָּ֖אוּ מִדְבַּ֥ר סִינָֽי...
This week’s parsha, Parshas Bamidbar, is always read the Shabbos before Shavuos. Many reasons have been given to explain the connection between Bamidbar and Shavuos. R’ Dr. Abraham J. Twerski writes, “The first portion of Bamidbar is generally read before Shavuos, the holiday which commemorates the...
The first of this week’s double parshios (Behar-Bechukosai), Parshas Behar, begins with the words: וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר ה’ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה בְּהַ֥ר סִינַ֖י לֵאמֹֽר, and Hashem spoke to Moshe at Har Sinai, saying: דַּבֵּ֞ר אֶל־בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ אֲלֵהֶ֔ם כִּ֤י תָבֹ֙אוּ֙ אֶל־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲנִ֖י נֹתֵ֣ן לָכֶ֑ם וְשָׁבְתָ֣ה הָאָ֔רֶץ שַׁבָּ֖ת לַה -...
In chapter 23 of this week’s parsha, Parshas Emor, the Torah outlines the festivals on the Jewish calendar year. And G-d spoke to Moshe saying, Speak to the Children of Israel and say to them: מוֹעֲדֵי ה’, אֲשֶׁר-תִּקְרְאוּ אֹתָם מִקְרָאֵי קֹדֶשׁ אֵלֶּה הֵם, מוֹעֲדָי -...
In this second of this week’s parshios, Parshas Kedoshim, the pasuk tells us: לֹא תַעֲמֹד עַל-דַּם רֵעֶךָ, do not stand idly by while your brother’s blood is being shed, I am Hashem (Vayikra 19:16). Perhaps this statement can also be understood as: do not stand...