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...
In this week’s parsha (in chutz la’Aretz), Parshas Bechukosai, we read the tochacha: the great rebuke foretold to us, shall the nation throw off the yoke of Torah and mitzvos. The Torah promises us that terrible tragedies will befall our people. The pasukim are painful,...
This week’s parsha (in chutza la’aretz), Parshas Emor, teaches us about the mitzvos of Shemitta (the seventh Sabbatical year) and Yovel (the 50th Jubilee), both of which are mitzvos ha’te’luyos ba’aretz (land dependent mitzvos that are only relevant and applicable in Eretz Yisrael). The parsha begins...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Emor (in chutz la’aretz), the Torah records the entire cycle of holidays of the Jewish calendar year (Vayikra 23). The shalosh regalim, as well as the yomim noraim, are outlined and recorded in the parsha. At the very end of...