The Purity Paradox

Sprinkling of the ashes of the red heifer purified the unclean, but preparing and handling those same ashes made a person unclean. How does that make any sense?

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Chukat (חוקת | Statute)

Torah: Numbers 19:1-22:1

Haftarah: Judges 11:1-33

Gospel: Matthew 21:1-17

This is the statute of the Torah

(Numbers 19:1)
Tammuz 9, 5775/June 26, 2015

"HaShem spoke to Moshe and Aharon, saying: This is the statute of the Torah which HaShem commanded, saying, Speak to the children of Israel and have them take for you a perfectly red unblemished cow, upon which no yoke was laid." (Numbers 19:1-2)

The Two Wives

The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Korach (קורח | Korah)

Torah: Numbers 16:1-18:32

Haftarah: 1 Samuel 11:14-12:22

Gospel: Luke 18:35-19:28

Korach and all his company

(Numbers 16:5)
Tammuz 2, 5775/June 19, 2015

Korach, who led a popular rebellion against his cousins Moshe and Aharon, our sages tell us, was a man of great wealth and stature. He was both brilliant and charismatic. He, as we would say today, "had it all." So what was he after? Did he really want to usurp the daily responsibilities of Aharon the High Priest? Was he really interested in seizing for himself the mantle and the burden and the heartbreak of leadership that was Moshe's lot?

The Complainer and the Atheist

Do you talk like an atheist? The Talmud comments on the ten spies and their evil report by saying, “One who spreads evil reports almost denies the existence of God.”

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Shelach (שלח | Send)

Torah: Numbers 13:1-15:41

Haftarah: Joshua 2:1-24

Gospel: Mark 10:1-45

A pleasing fragrance to HaShem

(Numbers 15:3)
Sivan 25, 5775/June 12, 2015

This week's Torah reading, Shelach, tells the story of the twelve spies sent by Moshe to search out the land of Israel and return with an assessment that could then be used to advantage for the children of Israel's imminent entry into the land of Canaan. For reasons which our sages have dealt with throughout the millenia, the twelve tribal leaders chosen for the quality of their character, lost heart, and upon their return to the Israelite encampment in the desert, shared a fearful, quaking report of the immense threats which would overwhelm and annihilate Israel, should the nation dare to enter into the land that G-d had granted them. 

Why Wasn't Aaron Punished?

Aaron and Miriam grumble against their brother Moses. Miriam gets struck with leprosy, but Aaron get's off free. Is that fair?

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Beha'alotcha (בהעלותך | When you set up)

Torah: Numbers 8:1-12:15

Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14-4:7

Gospel: Luke 17:11-18:14

"Has HaShem spoken only to Moshe?"

(Numbers 12:2)
Sivan 18, 5775/June 5, 2015

This week's Torah reading, Beha'alotcha, opens with the kohen gadol, (High Priest),Aharon, lighting the seven menorah lamps, precisely as commanded by G-d , followed by the finishing touches and flourishes to the establishment and inauguration of the Mishkan, (Tabernacle), in the desert. The building, establishment and inauguration of the Tabernacle, has preoccupied Torah every since Israel left Egypt back in the book of Exodus. Now Israel can turn its face toward its ultimate destination - entering into the land of Israel.