Want to be Normal
In the Torah portion of B’Ha’alotkha, we find a narrative that, as the renown latter day Torah scholar R. Shimshon Pincus (1944 – 2001) points out in his commentary on this section, is rather bewildering. “The people took to complaining … The rabble that was among them cultivated a craving, and the children of Israel also wept…’Who […]
Each One’s Actions are Special
In the Torah section of Naso, we read a rather perplexing narrative concerning a special presentation offered by the nesi’im (leaders) of each of the twelve shvatim (tribes) making up the nation of Israel to G-d on the occasion of the dedication of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) during their sojourn in the desert. “It was on […]
It Happened on a Mountain
In Sh’mot 19:1-18, we are told, “On the third month, after the exodus of the children of Israel from the land of Egypt, in this day did they come to the wilderness of Sinai . . . .And Moses went up unto G-d, and the L-rd called unto him . . .’Thus shall you say […]
Consider What You Have
The Torah section of Bamidbar begins (1:1-4): “And G-d spoke to Moses…Take a census of the entire assembly of the children of Israel according to their families, according to their fathers’ household, by number of the names…you shall count them…you and Aaron. And with you shall be one man from each tribe, a man who is […]
Spreading the Joy
In the beginning of the Torah section of Behar, we are told, “Six years you shall sow your field and six years you shall prune your vineyard and gather in the fruit thereof. But the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest for the land…you shall not sow your field nor prune your vineyard. That which […]
Break for Joy
From the second day of Pesach (Passover) until the onset of Shavuot, we are enjoined by the Torah: “And you shall count … seven weeks … you shall count fifty days” (Vayikra 23:15-16). We count from the initiation of the holiday in which we celebrate our miraculous release from the slavery of Egypt up to […]
There is a Time to Love
The Torah portion of Acharei begins with a reminder of the death of two of Aaron’s children Nadav and Avihu, referred by G-d Himself as “those who are near me” (Vayikra 10:3) but who overstepped their bounds deciding to bring “an alien fire that He did not command” (Vayikra 10:1). As a result they were consumed […]
The Woman in Society
At the beginning of the Torah section of Tazria and towards the end of the Torah section of Metzora, the Torah provides us a sampling of some of the many laws concerning women that are strewn along with other references to women throughout the Holy Scriptures and Rabbinic writings. Throughout Biblical and Rabbinic literature, we find many and various […]
Prescription for a Diet
Towards the end of the Torah portion of Shmini, we find a large concentration of laws concerning what is permitted or forbidden to be consumed. In fact, this is a large portion of a set of laws samplings of which are found throughout the Torah. Throughout the Torah, we find dietary laws permitting and prohibiting various creatures […]
When the Bread Did Not Rise
Shortly before his death, our forefather Jacob, also known as Israel, emigrated with his wives and children and their wives and children to Egypt. The children of Israel, after enjoying good fortune for a short period of time, were set upon by the insecurities and jealousies of the large, well-established nation of Egypt who not […]