Shoftim – Kingly Indulgence — By Ben
In an election year, when you come across anything in Torah that speaks about government and rulers, it’s hard not to take special notice. And this week’s Torah portion has […]
In an election year, when you come across anything in Torah that speaks about government and rulers, it’s hard not to take special notice. And this week’s Torah portion has […]
With this week’s parsha, we begin reading the final book of the Torah, Devarim (aka Deuteronomy). This book is different from the other books in that it’s virtually one long speech […]
The Torah has no shortage of troubling passages. But few are as disturbing as the actions of Pinchas and the Torah’s opinion about them. If you’re unfamiliar with it I’ll give […]
In this week’s parsha, once again Moses is confronted by more dissatisfied Jews. It’s becoming such a common theme, I think we should change the name of the book of […]
If there’s a Torah portion to make you say, “Oy” this one is it. Aside from the Golden Calf, this is the single most tragic story in the Torah. The generation (everyone over […]
This week’s parsha has a lot going on. Moses has trouble reading the Ikea instructions on his new Menorah. The Jewish people finally leave Mount Sinai (after a year) but decide they’re […]
As you go through the Torah, you’ll find wisdom, dramatic stories, history, some not so dramatic listing of mitzvahs (aka commandments), and lots of meticulous census counting (especially in the book […]
If you will follow My decrees and observe My commandments and perform them; then I will provide your rains in their time… you will eat your bread to satiety and […]
We live on Borrowed Land, Health, and Time by Barbara Heller Whatever we think we own, we don’t. According to our Sages, its very clear time and time again in […]
There’s a mishneh in Perkei Avos (chapter 5:10). There are four temperaments among men; 1) He who says: “What is mine is mine, and what is yours is yours,” […]