When G-d disciplines us, the pain is real—but it is born of love. When He gives freely, we feel His kindness. When He withholds or corrects, His love is less visible—but in truth, it runs even deeper.
Read the full story »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.
Tweet
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 …
Sh’lach: Loyal to Whom?
The Vice President
After twenty years with the company the senior vice president was invited to the President’s office.
“We have been experiencing a rash of theft in the mail room,” said the president, “and we suspect the mail room supervisor. This position must be filled with someone we can trust and …
B’haalotcha: The Silent Flame
Hardly any Splash at all
One of the criteria by which professional high divers are rated is their smooth water entrance and the resultant splash factor.
Tweet
High Holidays: A Silence Louder Than Words
An Early Judgment
During the course of this month we have sounded the Shofar every day in an attempt to inspire repentance, however, on the last day of this month we will purposely refrain from sounding the Shofar. This is explained
as a deliberate attempt to confuse the prosecuting angel. We want …
Sh’lach: Divine Insurance
A Promise – A Dilemma
G-d gave our ancestors the following message: “Go to the land of Israel, and make war with its inhabitants; do not fear them for they will be delivered into your hands.” This is the kind of insurance policy we would all like to have in our …
Sh’lach: Kosher for an Hour
The Odd Interpretation
Our Parsha tells a story of twelve agents sent by Moshe to Israel. The Torah testifies that they first embarked with noble intentions despite their later submission of a negative report, which drove the nation to despair. In Rashi’s words, “they were kosher at that hour.” Why does …
Parsha Insights »
The Festival and Shabbat
Sanctity and Joy
When a Jewish festival falls on Friday, it merges directly into Shabbat. This gives us pause as we reflect on the differences between the festival and Shabbat.
Tweet
Yearly Cycle »
High Holiday Season: A Time for Prayer
Turning To G-d
The High Holiday season is observed throughout Jewish world with fervor, reverence and awe. To Jews, it is a time for prayer and supplication, repentance and return, and most importantly, judgment and justice.
We hope that our entreaties are heard and our needs fulfilled, that our sins are pardoned …
Concepts »
Shoftim: Seeing Another’s Shame
Two Witnesses
Torah law requires two witnesses to establish the truth of a crime. No sin is punishable on the testimony of a single witness, who can misinterpret what he saw and cause the sinner to be punished unjustly. The testimony of two witnesses can be corroborated by testing them against …
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 …
