Zeal for Adonai

Religious zealotry and fanaticism has no place among the disciples of Yeshua outside of our "zeal for the Torah" and "zeal for good deeds."

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Pinchas (פנחס | Phinehas)

Torah: Numbers 25:10-30:1

Haftarah: 1 Kings 18:46-19:21

Gospel: Mark 11:27-12:37

Never Argue with a Donkey

Balaam referred to himself as “the man whose eye is opened ... who sees the Almighty." His donkey disagreed with his self-assessment.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Balak (בלק | Balak)

Torah: Numbers 22:2-25:9

Haftarah: Micah 5:6-6:8

Gospel: Mark 11:12-26

Appoint a man over the congregation

(Numbers 27:16)
Tammuz 16, 5776/July 22, 2016

This week's Torah reading of Pinchas brings to a close the book of Numbers' gallery of villains and heroes, that is, those individuals, both Israelite and non-Israelite, who either sunk to the depths of depravity, falling prey to their own ambition and pride, or, as in the case of Pinchas himself, who became a household name in Israel in the twinkling of an eye, stood up and took action when all others fell silent and listless. At this point in the narrative the relentless march of history recaptures our attention. Forty years of desert wanderings have passed and are drawing to a close. The children of Israel are closer then ever, physically and temporally, to entering the land promised them by G-d , and a sense of anticipation and excitement is clearly gripping the people.

Aaron the Peacemaker

Stories about Aaron remind us that we are called not only to be peaceful people but also to be peacemakers.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Chukat (חוקת | Statute)

Torah: Numbers 19:1-22:1

Haftarah: Judges 11:1-33

Gospel: Matthew 21:1-17

What HaShem puts into my mouth that I must take care to say

(Numbers 23:12)
Tammuz 9, 5776/July 15, 2016

"Who gave man a mouth, or who makes one dumb or deaf or seeing or blind?" (Exodus 4:11) This is G-d's rhetorical question to Moshe when Moshe once again raised his doubts as to his own ability to be the prophet and redeemer of Israel. The deep truth that it is G-d who chooses His prophets and it is G-d's voice which speaks through the mouths of His prophets is seen time and time again from G-d's response to Moshe'sprotest to Jeremiah's expressions of pain at having been chosen G-d's vessel of prophecy.

The pattern repeats itself. The chosen prophet's protest is an expression of his own profound humility and sense of inadequacy to be the mouthpiece for G-d's word. And yet it is that very modesty that proves the prophet's ability to deliver G-d's word only, and not his own. And so it was with all the Hebrew prophets.

Aharon shall be gathered to his people

(Numbers 20:24)
Tammuz 2, 5776/July 8, 2016

It is fitting that Torah's description of the death of Aharon the High Priest appears in the same parasha that opens with the statute of the red heifer whose ashes are imbued with the power to remove from man the impurity of death. For if there was ever a death that bespoke purity and transcendence, it is the death of Aharon on Mount Hor before the entire nation, as put forth in this week's Torah reading of Chukat.

Who is the Boss?

When a man regards himself as a big somebody, he becomes angry with others who do not acknowledge his ego.

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