Articles in Parsha Insights
D’varim: Eternal Commitment
A Shabbat of Vision
The Shabbat before the ninth of Av goes by the name Shabbat of vision, so called in honor of Isaiah’s vision that is recorded in the Haftorah chanted on this Shabbat. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Bardichev (1740-1810) taught that on this Shabbat of vision the Jewish soul …
D’varim: The Lover’s Rebuke
This week we begin to read the book of Deuteronomy. In reading this book we develop a profound respect for leaders such as Moses. Standing on the verge of death Moses prepared to bid his people farewell. He leaves them his final will and testament.
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Masei: Learning from Temptation
Every Segment Counts
This week’s Torah portion reviews the forty-two journeys that our ancestors made through the desert. The Baal Shem Tov taught that every one of these segments represents a stage in our individual journey through life and our quest for spiritual fulfillment.
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Pinchas: Marriage Counseling
A Tale of Two Dilemmas
A husband and wife once came to a rabbi to consult on a family matter.
The husband explained that he loves his wife, but takes her for granted. Her little gestures of love don’t move him. Her, “I love you” notes, her, “thinking of you” gifts and …
Chukat Balak: Divine Providence
Mother Nature
Before the birth of our youngest son, my wife and I engaged the nurses in discussion about labor and delivery. When they kept repeating the phrase, “Mother Nature knows best,” I was tempted to ask, “Who is this mother you call nature, do you mean G-d?” I wondered how …
Korach: The Environmentalist
Paradise on Earth
Lush green grass, tall trees and fresh streams framed our journey through G-d’s perfect nature. Nature’s beauty, unbridled and uncapped, radiated in pristine glory. Untouched by human hand and filled to overflow with insects, birds and wildlife, it was simply a paradise on earth. The animals knew it …
Chukat: The Poor Man’s Prayer
He Loves them Anyway
There was a shortage of water in the Jewish camp. They assembled before Moses and disrespectfully demanded water. They grumbled and complained that Moses should not have taken them from Egypt if he couldn’t provide for them in the desert.
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Chukat: He Didn’t Hit it
Eschew Violence
In this week’s Parsha we read the astounding story of Moses and the rock. We all know the story; G-d instructed Moses to speak to the rock, but instead of speaking to the rock he hit it.Why didn’t Moses hit the rock?
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