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 Listen to You Wife! .: Viewed: 2154 times :.
In his revolt against the authority of Moses and Aaron, Korach was supported by Dathan and Abiram and by On, the son of Peleth. The opening verse of this sidra is the only place where On ben Peleth is mentioned; and his name does not occur in the more detailed narrative that follows. Noting the absence of the name from the subsequent account, the Talmud states, that On, the son of Peleth, was...
Published: June 4, 2021 |
The 4 Stages of Redemption .: Viewed: 2153 times :.
When G‑d sent Moshe to Egypt to free Israel, the Torah states, “And Moshe took his wife and sons and mounted them on the donkey” (Shmot 4:20). Why is it important that Moshe took his family on a donkey? Rashi makes a strange comment on this verse, “the Donkey that Moshiach will utilize to usher in the Final Redemption”. How do we understand this odd comment of...
Published: March 16, 2021 |
The heros of the Korach Mutiny .: Viewed: 2150 times :.
The heros of the Korach Rebellion were Korach’s sons and Mrs. ON Ben Pelet. Let us learn about their acts of heroism. The Torah states, “And Korach separated himself with Datan and Aviram… and ON Ben Pelet…” (Bamidbar 16:1).
In his revolt against the authority of Moshe and Aharon, Korach was supported by Datan and Aviram and by ON Ben. Pelet. This opening...
Published: June 14, 2017 |
Why Did G-D Harden Pharaoh's Heart? .: Viewed: 2140 times :.
Why did G-D need to harden Pharaoh's heart? Why was there a need for the Ten Plagues? Why couldn't G-D bring about the Exodus by having Pharaoh come to the realization that it was to his benefit to get rid of his Hebrew slaves? Hadn't Pharaoh expressed his fears that in the event of war, the Hebrew nation would join our enemies and wage war against us (Shemot 1:10)? If he was so afraid that...
Published: January 20, 2017 |
May We Invite A Shabbat Traveler To A Shabbat Meal? .: Viewed: 2136 times :.
May one invite a guest for Shabbat dinner knowing that he will violate Shabbat either coming or going to our house? The Torah states, "You shall not place a stumbling block before the blind" (Vayikra 19). The Talmud interprets this verse that we may not cause another Jew to sin through our actions.
Thus, Rabbi Shmuel Wosner (Shevet HaLevi 8) and Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv both rule that...
Published: July 14, 2016 |
Love your Friend as Yourself - Really? .: Viewed: 2132 times :.
This verse is one of the most mistranslated verses in the Torah. Can the Torah command something which is not humanly possible? Unlike other religions, that have fancy slogans not meant for the real world, Judaism is based on realty.
Thus, Rav Soloveitchik explains that this is not what the Hebrew verse actually says. It is all about knowing where to place the comas. For example, I had a...
Published: April 17, 2015 |
613 Mitzvot or 913 .: Viewed: 2125 times :.
“But they shall not come and look as the Holy Objects are covered, lest they die.” (Bamidbar 4:20)
The Sefer HaChinuch writes that Parshat Bamidbar does not contain any of the 613 Mitzvot of the Torah.
The Baal Halachot Gadolot disputes the words of the Sefer HaChinuch and says that Bamidbar does have one Mitzvah, the verse cited above. This verse prohibits the Levi’im...
Published: May 6, 2021 |
TZITZIT - A Tikun For the Sin of the Spies .: Viewed: 2124 times :.
Parshat Shlach begins with the Sin of the Spies and ends with the Mitzva of TZITIT. Is there a link between the two? To answer this question we must ask another.
What was the sin of the Spies? It cannot be that the sin was the very fact that they were sent. On the contrary, we find the use of spies against the enemy camp in many places. For example, it says,...
Published: June 9, 2017 |
The UN's Role In The Final .: Viewed: 2124 times :.
The Exodus from Egypt is the prototype of the Final Redemption, which will occur with the coming of Mashiach. It too, like the Exodus, will take place without the benevolent assistance of the nations of the world, even those whom the Jewish People consider our friends and allies. When the great day of the Final Redemption will come, Klal Yisrael will owe thanks to no one, not even to President...
Published: January 25, 2017 |
The Mystical Meaning of the Sacrifices .: Viewed: 2119 times :.
Sefer Vayikra is taken up with sacrificial laws and rituals. For many people, it is easier to relate to narrative portions of the Torah or Mitzvot that apply in our day than to those dealing with Mishkan sacrifices. The last sacrifices were offered in 68 C.E., before the Second Temple was destroyed. Many people would find it hard to conceive how the sacrificial system could actually be...
Published: April 23, 2015 |
Noach's Flood? .: Viewed: 2115 times :.
The prophet Yeshayahu in Ch. 54 refers to the Biblical Flood as "MEI NOACH" (Noach's Water). Why is Noach blamed for the Flood? The Torah describes him as "ISH TZADIK TAMIM" (a perfectly righteous man).
The Zohar explains that Noach's name is connected to the Flood because he was in a certain indirect way responsible for it. Noach did not pray to G-d to spare the people, nor did he take any...
Published: September 21, 2015 |
Fixing Noach’s Drinking Problem .: Viewed: 2113 times :.
Why is wine so essential to Judaism? All of our sacred occasions are accompanied by the drinking of wine. During Kiddush, Havdala, Weddings, Sheva Brachot, Brit Mila and the 4 Cups on Pesach wine is required. Why??
To find the answer we must look into the Talmud. The Talmud discusses the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, wondering what type of fruit it was (Berachot 40a, Sanhedrin 70...
Published: October 10, 2019 |
The Key to Spiritual Growth .: Viewed: 2110 times :.
There's a strange verse in Bamidbar 21:27, "Therefore the MOSHLIM (poets) would say,' Come to Cheshbon; let it be rebuilt and established as the city of Sichon.' " The Ramban explains that this poem is quoted as proof that Cheshbon had become a city of Sichon. After Sichon's victory, let Chesbon be rebuilt as the capital city of Sichon after it was destroyed in battle. The Torah is not...
Published: June 10, 2015 |
Did Yosef Make His Daddy Into A Mummy? .: Viewed: 2110 times :.
"And Yosef commanded the physicians to embalm his father." (Bereshit 50:2)
The Malbim cannot comprehend Yosef's command that his father's body be embalmed, and declares that, "the purpose of the burial ceremony is to enable the dead person's body to turn to dust."
Jewish burial rites reflect the immense difference between the body and the soul (Kohelet 12:7) describes our release from...
Published: January 3, 2017 |
The Shofar- Bookends of Jewish History .: Viewed: 2109 times :.
The Shofar is a very basic, natural instrument which, according to Halacha, may not be adorned with gold and silver. Its purity and simplicity, both in terms of its form and the notes it sounds, cut through the noise and BALAGAN of today’s world, calling the Jewish People back to the Torah.
The Shofar connects us to the key moments of Jewish History that define our destiny as a Holy...
Published: September 12, 2016 |