Matot (Numbers 30:2-32:42 ) When the Gerrer Rebbe, the Sfat Emet was a boy, he was looked after by his grandfather, the great Chiddushei Harim, the first Gerrer Rebbe. On one occasion, the Sfat Emet stayed awake for most of the night learning Torah until he fell asleep in the early morning. He awoke after a short… Read More »PARSHAT MATOT: ACCEPTING REBUKE

Pinchas (Numbers 25:10-30:1 ) The Torah portion begins with G-d rewarding Pinchas greatly for his act of zealousness in killing Zimri and Cozbi who were committing a grave sin. Pinchas was from the tribe of Levi whilst Zimri was from the tribe of Shimon. This is not the first time in the Torah that these two tribes… Read More »PARSHAT PINCHAS: SHIMON AND LEVI

Balak (Numbers 22:2-25:9 ) Pirkei Avot, 5:19: Anyone who has in his hands these three things, is from the students of Avraham, our Father; and three other things, is from the students of the wicked Bilaam : A good eye, lowly spirit, and humble soul – is from the students of, Avraham, our Father. A bad eye, haughty spirit,… Read More »PARSHAT BALAK – AVRAHAM AND BILAAM: TOTAL OPPOSITES

Chukat (Numbers 19:1-22:1 ) Bamidbar, 21:4-7: They journeyed from Mount Hor by way of the Sea of Reeds to go around the land of Edom, and the spirit of the people grew short with the road. The people spoke against G-d and against Moshe: ‘Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this wilderness?… Read More »PARSHAT CHUKAT: THE IMPORTANCE OF FORGIVENESS

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 against Moshe. Yet on… Read More »PARSHAT KORACH: DISCERNING OUR TRUE INTENTIONS

Shlach (Numbers 13-15 ) The incident of the spies is one of the most well-known stories in the Torah and there is much discussion as to how such great men could commit such a terrible sin. Another very important aspect of this episode is the actions of the righteous men in their attempts to withstand joining… Read More »PARSHAT SHLACH: PRAYING AGAINST THE EVIL INCLINATION