In the second of this week’s parshios (Chukas-Balak in Chutz la’Aretz), we learn of Balak, the king of Moav, who hired Bilaam, the Prophet/Sorcerer, to curse the Jewish nation. As Am Yisrael was camped on the borders of the Promised Land, and as they had...
In this week’s sedra (in Chutz la’Aretz) we read of the machlokes (strife) and rebellion that was instigated by Korach, a first cousin to Moshe and Aharon (their fathers, Yitzhar and Amram, respectively, were brothers). Korach was jealous over their positions as melech (Moshe) and...
In this week’s sedra (in Chutz la’Aretz), Shelach, we learn of the infamous sin of Cheit Ha’Meraglim. On the cusp of entry to the land of Israel, just over a year after leaving Egypt, Moshe sent twelve scouts, one man from each tribe, to investigate...
This week (in chutz la’Aretz), we read the sedra of Beha’aloscha. Many fascinating and important details and events are recorded in the Torah text for us, from the lighting of the menorah, to preparations for travel to Eretz Yisrael, to the laws of Pesach Sheni,...
At the end of this week’s parsha, Parshas Naso, we learn of the korbanos (offerings and gifts to the Mishkan) of the twelve Nisiim (tribal princes), which they offered on the occasion of the Chanukas ha’Mishkan (inauguration of the Mishkan) (Bamidbar, Chapter 7). Hashem commanded...
Chag Ha’Shavuos 5783, Zman Matan Tora’sainu. It is on this yomtov that the Aseres HaDibros were given to the nation (Shabbos 86b - בְּשִׁשִּׁי בַּחֹדֶשׁ נִיתְּנוּ עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדִּבְּרוֹת לְיִשְׂרָאֵל): the Ten Mitzvos and Ten Declarations through which G-d revealed Himself to the entire nation, in...
With this week’s sedra, Bamidbar, we open up the fourth book of Torah, sefer Bamidbar. Bamidbar is also known as Sefer ha’Pekudim, the Book of Counting, and in our parsha, Hashem commands Moshe to take a census of the nation, all males between the ages...
This Shabbos is Shabbos Chazak and with this week’s double parshios, Behar-Bechukosai, we once again conclude Sefer Vayikra. In Bechukosai, we read of the terrible klalos (curses) that will befall the nation should it not go in the ways of Hashem. However, in the midst...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Emor, we are commanded regarding the timely mitzvah of Sefiras ha’Omer. B’zman she’Beis HaMikdash haya kaym (in Temple times) on 16 Nissan, the day after the commencement of Chag ha’Matzos, the barley offering was offered in the Temple. This barley...
This week we read the double sedra of Achrei Mos-Kedoshim. Included are the mitzvos and halachos regarding the avodah of the Kohen Gadol on Yom Kippur, forbidden physical relationships, the sanctity of Eretz Yisrael, and the myriad of mitzvos bein adam la’chavairo (mitzvos that govern...