RABBI YEHONASAN GEFEN

Pinchas (Numbers 25:10-30:1 ) This week’s Torah portion recounts the tragic events in the end of the last week’s portion, including the terrible sin of Baal Peor that culminated in the despicable act of immorality between Zimri, the Prince of the Tribe of Shimon and Kozbi, the Midianite Princess. On the surface,… Read More »Parshat Pinchas – The Connection between Kozbi, Jezebel, and the Righteous Wife of Rabbi Akiva

Matot (Numbers 30:2-32:42 ) Badmibar, 32:8: “They killed the Kings of Midian along with their slain ones; Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur and Reba, the five Kings of Midian; and Bilaam, son of Beor, they killed with the sword.”Yalkut Shimoni, Bamidbar, 685: “Rav Shmuel Bar Nachman says in the name of Rebbe Yochanan, When Pinchas went… Read More »Parshat Matot – The Death of Bilaam

Chukat (Numbers 19:1-22:1 ) Bamidbar, 21:33-34: “They turned and ascended by way of Bashan: Og, King of Bashan, went out against them, he and his entire people, to do battle at Edrei. Hashem said to Moshe, ‘Do not fear him, for into your hand have I given him, his entire people, and his… Read More »Parshat Chukat – Combine Good Actions with Good Intent

Korach (Numbers 16-18 ) The tragic story of Korach teaches us vital lessons about how even great people can come to commit grave sins through subtle character flaws. An analysis of the main protagonists of Korach’s rebellion shows that they were all righteous people who had seemingly valid motives for their rebellion… Read More »Parshat Korach – Discerning Our True Intentions

Shlach (Numbers 13-15 ) One of the main characters in the Torah portion is Yehoshua. Yehoshua was most significantly influenced by two great people – his righteous ancestor, Yosef, and his great teacher, Moshe. Yehoshua emulated Yosef in a number of ways. In particular they shared the ability to be involved with… Read More »Parshat Shlach – Elevating the Physical World

Be’halot’cha (Numbers 8-12 ) Bamidbar, 9:6-7: “There were men who had been contaminated by a human corpse and could not make the Pascal Lamb Offering on that day: so, they approached Moshe on that day. Those men said to him, ‘we are contaminated through a human corpse. Why should we be diminished by… Read More »Parshat Be’halot’cha – Opportunities, Not Burdens

Naso (Numbers 4:21-7:89 ) Bamidbar, 5:2: “Speak the Children of Israel, and you will say to them, ‘A man or a woman when he makes a vow to be a Nazir to Hashem.” Rashi, 5:2: Dh:“…why is the Portion of Nazir next to the portion of Sotah? To teach that whoever sees a… Read More »Parshat Naso – The Connection between Arrogance and Immorality

Bamidbar (Numbers 1:1-4:20 ) Shavuot is described as the time of the Giving of the Torah. Why isn’t it called the time of the Receiving of the Torah? One reason given is that the two tablets containing the Ten Commandments, which were given on Shavuot, were eventually destroyed during the sin of… Read More »Parshat Bamidbar – Combining the Spiritual with the Physical

Behar (Leviticus 25:1-26:2 ) Vayikra, 25:17:  “And a man may not afflict his fellow, and you must fear your G-d, because I am Hashem your G-d.” Rashi, 25:17: Dh: Veloh sonu — Not afflict: “Here the Torah warned about hurtful words, that one may not harm his fellow, and not give him advice that… Read More »Parshat Behar – Showing Sensitivity to Others

Emor (Leviticus 21-24 ) Vayikra, 21:1: Hashem said to Moses: Say to the Priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them: Each of them shall not contaminate himself to a [dead] person among his people.” Rashi, Vayikra, 21:1: sv. Say to the Priests: “‘Say’ (emor) and ‘say’ (amarta), [the repetition is] to warn the adults with regards… Read More »Parshat Emor – The Joy of Mitzvot