Articles in Chukat
Chukat: Withdrawal or Engagement
The Debate
Our culture is one of robust debate. Hardly a topic is left undisputed by our sages. One of the central debates across Jewish history was that of withdrawal or engagement. Should the Jew be engaged in the material world, actively seeking to better society and environment or should we …
Chukat: What I Learned From A Wellspring
Springing the Well
Wellsprings are G-d’s gift to the world. Arid climates become fertile when wells are discovered. Parched and thirsty souls find life, salvation and hope with the discovery of a well. A well discovery is cause for celebration and certainly a reason to praise G-d. It comes as no …
Chukat: Dancing Flames – Dancing Souls
This article is presented here to mark the anniversary of Rabbi Josef I. Schneerson, the former Lubavitcher Rebbe’s, liberation from prison, which falls this week on the twelfth of Tamuz. His crimes against Soviet Russia consisted of teaching torah and Judaism.
As the Bombs Fell
On September 27’th, 1939, (14”th of Tishrei …
Chukat: Love Your Children
What Actually Happened?
Something happened on that fateful day that resulted in the severe decree barring Moses and Aaron from entering the promised land. Here is the story in short: The people were parched from their long journey and demanded that Moses provide water. G-d instructed Moses to produce water from …
Chukas: You Only Live Once
Mired in Grudge
Imagine a sculpture was formed of your likeness of you when you were young and strong. Forty years later you would look back and see yourself in your prime; frozen in time at the peak of your strength. You would gaze wistfully at the strong lines of your …
Chukat Balak: A Crafty Snake
The Complaint
After forty years of wandering the desert our ancestors stood poised to enter the Holy Land when G-d instructed Moses to reverse course and reenter the desert. Appalled, our ancestors were reminded of what happened to their forbearers thirty-eight years earlier.
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Chukat: Food for Thought for Your Dinner Table
Sunday: A Prototype
The Red Heifer is introduced with the words, “this is the decree of the Torah.” This is not the only decree of the Torah, but it is a microcosm of all the Torah’s decrees. The underlying purpose of every mitzvah is twofold: to uplift the person who performs …
Chukat: The Nature of a Leader
Extraordinary
Ordinary events are to ordinary people, well, just plain ordinary. The supernatural, now that is extraordinary. Miracle workers are different. To them, the natural is astounding and the supernatural is routine. How do I know? A miracle worker told me so.
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