“‘ These are the journeys of the children of Israel who left the land of Egypt “(Bamidbar 33:1)” The Ba’al Shem Tov teaches that the words in the verse “These are the journeys of the children of Israel… teaches us that ” These forty-two “stations” from Egypt to the Promised Land are replayed in the [...] Read more »
Parshat Massei (Numbers 33:1–36:13) — The lessons of our life journeys gleaned from three verse in this week’s Torah portion. Shorashim study and Overview The Bible chronicles the forty-two journeys and encampments of Israel from the Exodus from Egypt to their encampment on the plains of Moav across the river from the Promised land. Read more »
Towards the end of the Torah portion of Matot that describes the importance of vows.and declares war on the divisiveness personified by Midian, we are confronted with the request of the tribes of Reuven and Gad. The people of Reuven and Gad have been very successful and have amassed large flocks of sheep and possessions. [...] Read more »
The tribes of Reuben and Gad have become wealthy, laden with sheep and oxen. They do not want to cross the Jordan but rather want to stay on the abundant land on the east side of the Jordan. In their words we learn of their mistaken set of priorities. Read more »
Day of MourningThe 17th day of the Hebrew month of Tammuz is one of the fast days enumerated in the book of Zecharia(8:19) called the “fast of the fourth month”. In the Hellenistic mind set that has defined most of western thinking for over two thousand years, “Time” is viewed as a linear line moving [...] Read more »
The tribes of Shimon and Levi have an unusual and tempestuous relationship. They were in fact a combustible twosome when together. In an act of anger and revenge they plot and carry out the murder of Shchem ben Chamor and his entire city because of his rape of their sister Dinah . Read more »
Parshat Pinchas (Numbers 25:10-30:1) — What do the actions of Pinchas ( Phineas), the request of the daughters of Tzlafchad,and the repetition of the requirements of the festivals have in common? What type of leader is critical for the journey of this people into destiny? Read more »
Balak, the king of Moab , is concerned as are all the nations around him by this people who have come out of the desert. How do we know that the nations have become frightened from the book of Joshua? Why is Balaam summoned as opposed to rallying the forces together? Read more »
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