Bamidbar 21:5-8 contains what might be the quickest sin, punishment, retribution and repentant turnaround in all of the Torah. “The people spoke out against G-d and Moses, ‘Why did you … more

After the Korach episode, Moshe is told by G-d to tell his nephew Elazar to take the fire pans of those who perished bringing the k’toret, and hammer them out in order for them to become covers … more

Last weekend earned some off-the-track Jewish attention. On Thursday, Mexican jockey Victor Espinoza made his way to the Chabad Ohel and the grave of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. The spiritual man was … more

Before things begin to go sour with the complaints and offensive ways of the Jewish people in the wilderness, Moshe invites his father-in-law to join the Nation of Israel, and “to be our … more

The very last verse in our parsha comes after the concluding and summarizing statement of the sacrifices of the princes. And it seems totally out of place. “When Moses came into the Ohel … more

In Parshat Emor, the Torah tells us, “You shall then count for yourselves seven complete weeks after the day following the [Passover] holiday when you brought the omer as a wave … more

The beginning of Parshat Bechukotai paints an image of the kind of blessing we hope to receive from G-d. There are three conditions that Israelites must fulfill before they can enjoy G-d’s … more

In his Sefer Hamitzvot, Rambam states that there are two mitzvot to be gleaned from the verse, “Do not desecrate My holy name. I must be sanctified among the Israelites. I am G-d [and] I am … more

Vayikra 18 introduces the Torah’s list of forbidden relationships with the instruction to Moshe to tell the Israelites, “I am G-d. Do not follow the ways of Egypt where you lived, and as … more

Last week I quoted the Midrash Aggadah on “Yom HaShmini” who raised the possibility that one of the interpretations of Kohelet 11:2, which speaks of seven becoming eight, is that of Rabbi … more