The opening of the donkey's mouth teaches us the basic lesson of the entire story.
Our tribulations bring our people to the requisite question: Why have we endured so much suffering? What is the central reason we have experienced so much pain?
Bilaam couldn’t harm us, but our own misbehavior did.
In ancient times, all doctors believed that amulets could aid in healing, The Sages of Israel did not dispute this, and permitted their use, provided they did not contain anything forbidden, As for protection, what about soldiers today?
An essay on the foundations of Judaism in six parts. This is Part IV - links to previous parts are below.
The Tanya compacts four millennia of Jewish wisdom to answer the great personal and existential questions of life. It has revolutionized the way we think about G -d the human soul, the world and our place in it.
Irresistible force hits an immovable object as service in the IDF becomes a flashpoint in the confrontation between secular liberal society in Israel and the refusal of the traditionalist Haredim to comply.
Imagine where Israel would be now had world Jewry opted out of Museums for dead Jews and opted for investment in living Jews, opting out of institutions and into growing the Heartland of Shomron and Yehudah.
Perhaps today. Perhaps tonight.
An essay on the foundations of Judaism in six parts. This is Part III - links to parts I and II below.
Why did the rabbis emphasize Torah study in every situation, even on one’s deathbed?
We’re all born with free will to choose right from wrong.
Moshe is compared to the sun, while Yehoshua to the moon.
Why was Moses denied The Promised Land?
The nation of Israel keeps falling into a poor state of faith, even though its entire existence in the desert is nothing but an obvious miracle. Since Moses and Aaron do not elevate the people's faith by talking to the rock, another measure is needed.
Our generation is the generation that was born and raised in Israel, unbowed by exile. And we have demonstrated our determination to win the war and rescue our captives. This week's parasha is the precedent.
Questions and answers of rabbinic commentators on the idea of laws for which we have no reason.
It turns out that Rashi and Nachmanides are not arguing about Moses' misstep with the rock. They were both right
People will most likely be influenced by you, if they know that you love them.
A close look at this parasha shows the importance of behaving well.
An essay on the foundations of Judaism in six parts.
The commandment of giving tithes and offerings from agricultural produce is intended to maintain the spiritual-religious dimension in the People of Israel through the priests and Levites, whose role is to engage in Torah study and education.
As we prepare to mark the Rebbe’s thirtieth yahrzeit, while our brethren in the Holy Land are still at war, I find myself revisiting the meaningful and mystical relationship the Rebbe harbored with Israel and Her people.
The Tanya compacts four millennia of Jewish wisdom to answer the great personal and existential questions of life. It has revolutionized the way we think about G -d the human soul, the world and our place in it.
All women are invited to come or to pray wherever you are. All of us want peace, tranquility, security, and clarity, and I have no doubt that our prayers have an extremely powerful impact.
A belief-based view provides balance and comfort even in the moments in which we fear war in the north.
An essay on the foundations of Judaism in six parts.
When have you heard public invocation of the biblical verses where He promised Eretz Yisrael to Am Yisrael? Or reasoning using them as bases?
Korach condemns so many of today’s Torah-leaders. Torah-leaders who look with equanimity at the exile, Torah-leaders who are perfectly content remaining in exile, But not his sons.
When an organization is coming with a certain demand, is this a clear black and white issue? Or, are their true interests hidden from view?
Why indeed should only the Levites and the kohanim serve in the Temple? Why not open up the service of God to the entire nation?
In the process of redemption, what comes first: ingathering of the exiles or purification?
A selection of commentaries weighing in on the meaning of the almond branch blossoming staff test.
In Tribute to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, for his 30th yartzeit.
In a time of argument, even preposterous words settle into the hearts of man and kindle the fire of conflict. That is what happened in the story of Korach.
Korach and his cohort fail spectacularly and are swallowed by the earth while yet alive. We can glean from this incident the significance of comprehending that the Torah was given through Moshe, by the direct orders of G-d.
Today again there is a call to serve Hashem, a call that entails sacrifice on many levels.
What was at the root of this machloket, this conflict?
Be careful what you wish for - or covet.
Moshe hoped Korach’s men would reconsider if given time to reflect.
Ishmael was also created be-tselem Elokim (in the image of G-d), but skewed this through the acts of a pere adam who destroys G-d’s precious creations while proclaiming to be His messenger, violating natural laws of ethics, love and compassion.
For about 1,800 years, from the time of their defeat by the Romans to British rule, the Jews of the Land of Israel were pious and peaceful, accepting their fate as subjects of the occupying powers and praying for their Final Redemption from foreign occupation, persecution and exile.
Two stories. For his yahrzeit: "Tell me, will you? How does this Rabbi do these things?”
The Tanya compacts four millennia of Jewish wisdom to answer the great personal and existential questions of life. It has revolutionized the way we think about G -d the human soul, the world and our place in it.
Let’s not succumb to silly politics and pettiness. Let’s rise to the occasion. History will judge us. What we do will have historic implications. Now is the time to journey forward shoulder to shoulder.
Religious Zionist Torah scholars find connections between Eretz Yisrael and the week's Torah reading. Rejecting the Land is the equivalent of rejecting God.
We've faced the Gazans in the past and they have reappeared as a mix with the Yishmaelim and Amaleikim.
A new meaning for the verse 'May you see the good of Jerusalem.'
When the Jews of a thousand years in the future look back at our present-day reality, what will they say and write about our generations? What consequences will we, today, bequeath to our ancestors?
In Tribute to the 30th Yartzeit of the Rebbe
Why shoould tzitzit be a mitsva that depends on whether you choose to wear a four cornered garment? Why not make it obligatory all the time.
There is a strong message in this week’s Torah portion and it is the call to return home, to make Aliyah.
D’var Torah for Parshat Shelach Lecha.
Was their sin lack of faith in God, was it a provocation, was it their fear of having to fight - or a combination?
Viewing is not the same as seeing.
Primarily, Jews are the progeny of forebears who adhered to the duties of the soul over the desires of the heart by integrating physical and spiritual components to transcend the limitations of earthly existence.
The physical world may affect our spiritual nature more than we realize.
Where did the spies go wrong?
From the time of receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai through such time that we will have proven ourselves worthy of the honor of being the chosen nation, we remain steadfastly Am Israel.
