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
Kedoshim (Leviticus 19-20 ) Vayikra, 18:5: “And you will guard My statutes and laws, that you will do them and you will live by them, I am HaShem.” Rashi, 18:5, Dh: And you will live by them: “In the next World, because if you will say [it refers to] this world, his end… Read More »Parshat Kedoshim – The Value of Life
Shmini (Leviticus 9-11 ) The Torah Portion begins with the joyful celebrations of the Inauguration of the Mishkan (tabernacle), however this joyous occasion becomes a time of mourning with the sudden deaths of Aaron’s two oldest sons, Nadav and Avihu. “The sons of Aharon, Nadav and Avihu, each took his fire pan,… Read More »Parshat Shmini – Acquiring a Friend
Tzav (Leviticus 6-8 ) In Its discussion of the various offerings, the Torah describes the Guilt (Asham) and Sin (Chataat) offerings with the exalted term of Holy of Holy offerings (Kodesh Kedoshim). In contrast, the Peace (Shelamim) offerings are described with the term of Lighter Holy offerings (Kodshim kalim), which indicates a… Read More »Parashat Tzav – The Advantage of the Baal Teshuva
