Bamidbar 5771

  • Predictions

    (Torah Portion Bamidbar) Predictions By now, the infamous radio host who had predicted the world would end last Saturday, has a lot of explaining to do to his followers why his forecast of apocalypse did not arrive. Do we believe in a time or an event that will bring the world to an end? My …

  • Wine

    (Torah Portion Naso) Wine The Torah speaks of the laws of a Sotah – a process through which the status of a suspected adulteress (and adulterer) is miraculously clarified. Immediately following the laws of Sotah the Torah speaks of the laws regarding one who makes a Nazirite vow – who is forbidden to drink wine …

  • Impressions of Huge Fruit

    (Torah Portion Shlach) Impressions of Huge Fruit When Moshe instructed the 12 spies what to look for when they scouted the Land of Israel, he ordered them to bring back its fruits. The Torah continually stresses the wonderful material and productive qualities of the Land of Israel. Some examples: Israel is often referred to as, …

  • Fear Factor

    (Torah Portion Korach) Fear Factor I recently received an intriguing question from a college student, one of the recipients of the Shabbat Message. Please allow me to share it with you. Rabbi: I wanted to ask this question to a rabbi for the longest time…. Given the fact that we have free will to do …

  • Brotherhood

    (Torah Portion Chukas) Brotherhood When the Jewish nation traveled through the desert a special ark preceded them, which miraculously flattened any hills or mountains that stood in their way. However, three mountains remained. Mount Sinai – where they received the Torah; Har Hahor – where Aaron was buried, and Har Nevo – where Moshe was …

  • Change

    (Torah Portion Balak) Change! The titles of six of the fifty-four portions of the Torah are named after people. Noach, Sarah, Yisro, Korach, Balak and Pinchas. This is certainly an eclectic group of famous people. Yet upon analyzing their personalities, it appears that they share a common thread. They all sought or experienced change; some …

  • Swearing

    (Torah Portion Matos) Swearing This week?s Torah portion speaks of the laws concerning oaths and vows. The Torah states: ?According to whatever he expresses from his mouth he shall do.? Rashi cites a Medrash that states: Based on this, one might think that even if he swears to eat non Kosher food, he is bound …

  • What Food Can Do

    (Torah Portion Massai) What Food Can Do The Torah states that if one killed another person unintentionally, i.e. while descending a ladder, a rung broke loose and he fell upon a person and killed him, the one who killed must flee to one of forty-eight cities of refuge which were scattered throughout the Land of …