Noach: When We Ask, G-d Listens
A man once petitioned Rabbi Nosson of Breslov for a blessing to find his match. He complained that he had been seeking the right woman for many years and had still not found her. Rabbo Nosson discerned that he was slipping into despair, so …
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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Pinchas: Taking a Moral Stand
Moral Courage
Pinchas was a great man and, in our Parsha, was the man of the hour. His fellow Jews sunk to a moral low and their leaders were forced to choose between tolerance and moral vigilance.
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Balak: Manipulating G-d
A Strategy of The Spirit
The Moabite king Balak was afraid of the Jews. Its newly formed military recorded incredible successes against overwhelming odds and Balak feared for his country.
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Korach: Losing on Both Ends
Korach Had His Reasons
In this week’s Parsha we read about the infamous Korach. Korach was smart, rich, and powerful. He was also a rebel. Worst than a rebel he was a jealous rebel. His rebellion was nearly successful and G-d found it necessary to stamp out his rebellion in the …
Korach: Unity is Paramount
A Unique Punishment
Korach was a rebel. He was the prime movement behind a effort to depose Moses and Aaron. For his efforts he was severely punished; he and his followers were lost in a sudden earthquake that literally buried them alive.
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Korach: Misguided, but Passionate
Brass Pans
Korach led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron. They brazenly performed the rite of incense offering, a rite reserved only for the high priest. They were punished, but the brass pans they used in their misguided offering was salvaged. G-d instructed that they be utilized as a covering to …
Parsha Insights »
Chayei Sara: The Inner Sarah
Rise and Fall
Nelson Mandela once said that true greatness lies not in never falling down but in rising from our falls. We are all susceptible to weakness and failures of human nature. We slip and fall from time to time. The truly great ones rise from their falls by confronting …
Yearly Cycle »
Simchat Torah: A Basic Overview
Concluding the Torah
Every Shabbos during services we read a portion from the Torah. It takes a full year to complete the entire cycle of the Torah reading. The last day of the High Holiday season is devoted to celebrating the annual completion of the Torah reading.We read the last portion …
Concepts »
Ekev: Cancel Culture
Ekev: Cancel Culture
Cancel Culture is a phrase one hears a lot these days. Cancel culture is the idea that if you don’t agree or even appear to agree with my thoughts, I will cancel your very integrity, let alone your credibility.
The problem with cancel culture is that as one group …
Rabbi’s Desk »
What Can We Do?
These past two days have been the most difficult for our people in the last fifty years. It was Simchat Torah, a time for rejoicing, yet it was a time of horror. Nearly a thousand members of our family were brutally murdered, more than a hundred were taken hostage, and …
