“The manna was like coriander seed and it is similar to the appearance of crystal” (Numbers 11:7) The sages of the Midrash teach that this heavenly food would have the taste of whatever you were thinking of. The Chafetz Chayim was once asked the Gerrer Rebbe what the manna would… Read More »NUMBERS 11:7 – THE TASTE OF MANNA
For modern Jews, wrestling with issues of faith is not unusual. Our very name “Israel” means to ‘struggle with G-d’. Many of us seek clarity amidst a confusing world of uncertainty. Woody Allen once quipped, “If only G-d would give me a clear sign – like making a large deposit… Read More »SEEKING G-D
“And they gathered the entire nation on the first day of the second month…according to the number of the names…” (Numbers 1:18). What is meant by “according to the number of the names”? Ramban (Nachmanides) explains: Hashem told Moses to count each and every person with honor and dignity. Don’t… Read More »NUMBERS 1:18 – EACH UNIQUE INDIVIDUAL
“Hashem spoke to Moses in the Sinai desert, in the Tent of Meeting, on the first day of the second month in the second year from their departure from Egypt…” (Numbers 1:1) Why was the Torah given in the desert wilderness? Our sages point out that in order to acquire… Read More »Numbers 1:1 – IN THE WILDERNESS
“And they shall confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers in their treachery which they committed against Me…I will also walk contrary to them…” (Lev. 26:40-41). If they will confess their sins, why will they still be deserving punishment? The Binah L’Ittim explains that confession that is not… Read More »LEVITICUS 26:40-41 – CONFESSION
“…let the heart of those who seek G-d rejoice.” Psalm 105:3 People on a treasure hunt are only happy if they find treasure – otherwise their efforts are futile. When it comes to seeking Hashem, one grows tremendously during the search, and that itself is tremendously rewarding and brings great… Read More »PSALM 105:3 – GROW AS YOU SEARCH
“And if your brother is becoming destitute…you must support him… (Leviticus 25:35). The previous passages, dealing with real estate transactions, are written in the plural form – but here, when discussing helping the poor, the Torah switches to the singular. The Alshich HaKadosh explained that when someone is in need… Read More »LEVITICUS 25:35 – RESPONSIBILITY TO ASSIST
“You shall sanctify the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land for all of its inhabitants; it shall be the Jubilee year for you…” (Leviticus 25:10). This verse contains the stirring phrase that was engraved on Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell in 1752. The passage is referring to the liberation of… Read More »LEVITICUS 25:10 – FREEDOM FOR THE ENTIRE LAND
“Every person (kol ish) in whom there is a blemish (asher bo moom) shall not come close (lo yikrav) [to the altar]…” (Leviticus 22:18). R’ Meir Premishlan spun these words in the following novel way: “Kol ish” – Anyone who thinks of himself as a whole/complete person (kol means every… Read More »LEVITICUS 22:18 – BLEMISH
“But on the tenth day of this seventh month, it is a Day of Atonement, a holy occasion for you; you shall afflict (v’ee-neetem) yourselves…” (Leviticus 23:27). The Hebrew word for ‘afflict’ – v’ee-neetem, is a complex term. Rabbi Matityahu Clark’s “Etymological Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew” based on the commentaries… Read More »LEVITICUS 23:27- AFFLICTION
