Pinchas: Intimacy and Holiness
In last week's parsha, it looks like the people finally began to trust in God. But now, suddenly, idolatry? What happened? How did the people fail so quickly?
Kana’im Pogim Bo
Pinchas fulfilled the halacha of kana’im pogim bo whereby a kana’i (zealot) is granted permission to kill people performing specific aveiros.
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Pinchas: Midian, Moab and Yisrael
The fact it was specifically Midianite and Moabite women involved with Jewish men {Moshe and men involved with Ba'al Peor) shows that an existential bond existed between these nations and Israel.
Answering Mark Twain’s Question
It is only G-d’s Hand in guarding our continued existence and our dedication to Torah that has allowed us to endure.
Balak – What Is Israel’s National Mission?
For the first time in a while, the main characters of the parsha--Bilaam and Balak-- are NOT the people of Israel.
From The Top Up
Our worst enemy convinces us that we can only be led from the top, rather than recognize that a real leader lifts up each individual so that he can stand with him in the heavens
Through The Eyes Of History
How is it possible that anyone could see Pinchas as anything other than a hero?
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Balak: The Perspective of Prophecy
Bilaam not only doesn't appear to be great, he seems to be base as well as foolish (outsmarted by his own donkey!). So how can the midrash claim he was really at least as great a prophet as Moshe?
Faith Over Reason
Faith is an oasis in the heart which will never be reached by the caravan of thinking. -Kahlil Gibran
The Parsha Experiment – Chukat: A Turning Point In Israel’s Relationship With God
This week, we get even more complaining from Israel - this time, about the lack of water. How can they continue to complain after...
Earning A Living Doesn’t Have To Be Difficult
So even if their parnassah was dependent on their listening, how would they be motivated by something so mundane as earning their daily bread?
May A Kohen Visit A Tzaddik’s Grave?
The Zohar says that only someone who dies of natural causes was killed by the malach hamaves. People who are killed by others were not killed by the malach hamaves.
The Weeping Statue
It is well known that each month is aligned with one of the tribes of Israel, with Tammuz being aligned with Reuven. What is Reuven all about?
Back and Forth
The essence of Torah is to guide us in mastering a life of back and forth, inside and out, up and down; a life riding on the hinges for those seeking to find their voice, courage and inner greatness.
Redeeming Relevance: Moshe’s Last Chance
Moshe was ideally suited to the role of an intermediary between God’s immanent presence and Israel but not so well suited to leadership in front of a hidden God
Parshas Korach: The Ultimate Challenge
G-d is the only “force” that is completely sovereign and independent. The rest of creation, however, requires a dynamic giver-taker relationship.
Questions Have Answers – Answers Don’t Have Answers
Korach wasn’t approaching Moshe to seek the truth; his sole intention was to mock and discredit Moshe.
The Debt Of Pidyon Haben
The Vilna Gaon argues that that there is even more reason to permit doing pidyon haben via a shliach since pidyon haben is essentially repaying a debt.
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Korach: When There is no Communication
The communication gap here is really two-sided. It certainly starts with Korach and his group, but it subsequently infects Moshe as well.
Korach: Rejecting Israel’s Leaders
We’ve seen Israel complain over and over, but never before have they tried to undermine and dispose of their leaders. Join us as we...
