The holy Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev teaches that on the Sabbath before the 9th of Av, (the day of fasting which commemorates the Holy Temple which was destroyed in the year 70 AD by the Romans), the Sabbath known as Shabbat Chazon, the Sabbath of Vision, each and every Jew gains access to his own unique vision of the Holy Temple rebuilt! In this way, G-d inculcates us with heightened Temple consciousness, preparing us spiritually, intellectually and materially for the task of rebuilding the Holy Temple.

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Devarim (Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22)
Parashat Devarim is read on Shabbat:
Menachem Av 8, 5768/August 9, 2008

As we conclude the book of Bemidbar (Numbers), we also conclude the saga of the generation of the desert. G-d created the world and vowed that He will destroy the world should the Jews not accept Torah. Having received and kept Torah, the Israelites, as exemplified by the tribes of Reuven, Menashe, and Gad, as well as the five orphaned daughters of Tzelaphechad, choose for themselves their inheritence in the land of Israel.

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Masei (Numbers 33:1-36:13)
Parashat Masei is read on Shabbat:
Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av, 5768/August 2, 2008

The tribes of Reuven, Gad and half the tribe of Menashe seem to have their priorities upside down, as they express concern for their livestock before their own offspring, omit G-d in their plans, and seem to spurn the land of Israel, choosing to settle east of the Jordan River. After receiving strong rebuke from Moses, they vow to join the struggle of their fellow tribes to realize their inheritances in the land, and by ultimately fulfilling their word, sanctify the land on which they settled.

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Matot (Numbers 30:2-32:42)
Parashat Matot is read on Shabbat:
Tammuz 23, 5768/July 26, 2008

Pinchas, acting out of great zealotry and seemingly harsh (gevurah - din) judgment, performed a great act of chesed - loving kindness - on behalf of the Israelite nation. Therefore, G-d rewarded him with His everlasting covenant of peace - shalom.

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Pinchas (Numbers 25:10-30:1)
Parashat Pinchas is read on Shabbat:
Tammuz 16, 5768/July 19, 2008

“He has not beheld iniquity in Jacob, nor has he seen perverseness in Israel.” (Numbers 23:21) Intending to curse Israel, Balaam can only utter blessings: Even in their iniquity the Jewish nation clings to G-d, Who does not reckon their sin. The bond between Israel and the L-rd is unbreakable!

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Balak (Numbers 22:2-25:9)
Parashat Balak is read on Shabbat:
Tammuz 9, 5768/July 12, 2008

How strange: A Torah portion that begins with the description of the Red Heifer, the meaning of which we are told only Moses could comprehend, ends with Moses’ fateful error where he strikes the rock that G-d has commended him to speak to. The beginning almost seems to contradict the end!

Not so: The same humility and lack of ego which enabled Moses to perceive G-d’s will concerning the Red Heifer also motivated Moses to insist that the account of his grievous error likewise be duly recorded by Torah.

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Chukat (Numbers 19:1-22:1)
Parashat Chukat is read on Shabbat:
Tammuz 2, 5768/July 5, 2008

“Not big enough for the both of us!” When a man, even a great man, remains humble and small in his own eyes, he will acknowledge that there is room in creation for both G-d, and Torah and himself. But when a man, even a wise and learned man, such as Korach, becomes great in his own eyes, he eliminates G-d and Torah from his world, leaving G-d little choice but to put him in his place.

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Korach (Numbers 16:1-18:32)
Parashat Korach is read on Shabbat:
Sivan 25, 5768/June 28, 2008