A Pivotal Pause For The Para Aduma
Unlike the two previous sedras of Shelach and Korach, each of which were two-thirds story and a third juxtapositional mitzvot, Chukat’s three mitzvot are part of the same mitzvah topic – namely, para aduma (the red heifer), with the bulk of the sedra being a string of episodes in the Midbar-wandering period.
Were We Saved From Destruction Without Teshuvah?
Perhaps the fullest picture of what is truly unfolding emerges only when we consider most, if not all, of these perspectives together.
July 4, 2025: The United States and American Jews at a Crossroads
In place of conventional warfare, terrorist organizations have emerged that have taken terrorist activities to a new level.
Ben Zoma’s Four Questions
We can learn from people with good character. And we can even learn from people with bad character how not to live our lives. We can extract true lessons when we hear how an enemy criticizes us. We can learn from children and those in all strata of society.
Our Need for Personal Growth
Man’s fate is in his own hands – he decides for himself and for the world. Hashem did not create us as finished products, but with the need and responsibility to develop ourselves properly.
Post-Revolt Priestly Presents
The rise in rank for words and letters is due to Korach being above average in words and letters per pasuk. Korach is a short sedra (in a sefer with many long sedras) with fairly long pesukim (in a sefer with lots of short-pasuk sedras).
Month Math & Mitzvah Categories
Shelach by the numbers:
Total pesukim: 119, ranks 21st (of 54 sedras)
Total words: Ranks 27th
Mitzvot: 3, ranks 27th
Our Past and Future
The last piece addressed our relationships with peers – including spouses, friends, and family. In addition to those relationships, we should also have meaningful relationships with the generations that precede and follow our own.
What the Loss of Tefillin Can Teach Us About Techeiles Today
While a few, such as certain Amoraim and Natronoi Gaon, retained access, it became almost exclusive to non-Jewish royalty. The last known Jewish mention came from the Ramban in the 13th century, who noted that the Melech Goyim – possibly James I of Aragon – still wore it in his day.
B’ha-alo-t’cha And A Little-Known Fast
In our time, back in 1982, the costliest battle of the war in Lebanon claimed the lives of about 30 IDF soldiers on this date. Thus, the 20th of Sivan is indeed a tragic day. You can find Selichot written for the day in some siddurim.
Our Family and Friends
Many prefer death over loneliness.
What’s In A Parsha?
The sedra has 2,264 words and 8,632 letters. Even though Naso’s pesukim are well below average in length (in number of words or letters), it still ranks #1 in all categories.
From Genetics to Genesis: Discovering the Divine Signature in Creation
Just as Hashem spoke the world into being, perhaps He wrote His will into our very cells.
Counting Heads & Counting Up
To deserve the name Numbers, this week’s sedra contains numbers galore – starting with a count of the adult male population of each of the 12 tribes, with a total of 603,550 men age 20 and up.
How To Be More Than The Average Joe
Shouldn’t Shavuot’s commemoration of Matan Torah mandate a spiritual celebration?
Yom Yerushalayim: Our Gratitude and Prayers
In a city torn by conflict, we remember: Yerushalayim is meant to unite us – with each other, and with Hashem.
Parsha Pairs
With the third double sedra in four weeks, it’s a good time to take a closer look at the double sedra story.
Creation Appreciation
One who truly loves Hashem, loves everything He creates. By loving and showing respect to His creations, we, in essence, show respect to Hashem Himself.
Lag B’Omer & Emor
In Pirkei Avot, we find the statement, Schar mitzvah, mitzvah – the reward for doing a mitzvah is the mitzvah itself. Or perhaps it means that the reward for doing a mitzvah is another mitzvah to do.
Food For Thought
When we are tired and hungry, we are anxious to revive and sustain ourselves. This anxiety can cause us to lose sight of our life’s bigger picture and purpose, and eat like animals rather than human beings.
Stepping Up
While our primary obligation is to ourselves, Hillel reminds us of our obligation to the broader community and the world.
From Strength To Strength: Israel’s ‘Oz’ Birthday
Of course, Hashem wants us to fight for ourselves and blesses us with the physical strength and heavenly assistance we need. We see this at the end of Parshat Beshalach in the wake of Amalek’s attack.
Essentials Of Judaism: The Essence Of Pirkei Avot
Often, people use hashkafa to refer to what distinguishes between different hashkafot (Litvish, chassidishe, modern Orthodox, religious Zionist, etc.). People are eager to understand and appreciate their unique approach. That said, most hashkafic issues, including most central ones, are things all Torah Jews agree upon.
How We Ought to Care For Others
The servitude we experienced in Mitzrayim should sensitize us to human suffering. We know what being a foreigner feels like and should thus care for those in similar situations.
When We Are Good
The first generations of men made such sinful choices. Eventually, their sins corrupted the entire world. When man lost his way, other creatures followed suit. This man-induced reality caused Hashem to wash away all living beings.
The Faith Of Righteous Women
The righteous women not only saved Moshe; they also inspired him. And they inspired many others as well – including their own husbands.
Why Tefillah Is So Important
Tefillah is central to our identity. It is an essential reflection of the human soul and part of what characterizes man as distinct from animal. Hashem provides for the whole world; only man appreciates and prays for it.
My Heart Is Broken!
Israel’s mourning is not just for Kfir, Ariel, and Shiri – it is for every victim of terror, every life that was cut short in the name of hate and destruction.
Why We Call It Megillat Esther
If Esther failed to act, Hashem would find another way to save the Jews, but she and her family line would be lost.
The Power Of Our Words
When G-d created the world, He did it with words. Every action of creation was accomplished using words. And G-d said, Let there be light. And G-d said, Let us create man. Creation is realized by G-d using words.
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