Weekly Torah
Three times the heathen prophet Bilaam tried to curse Israel and three times he blessed Israel. Three times Bilaam tried to employ his dark arts against Israel and three times his words bespoke the purity of Israel. Three times Bilaam tried to destroy Israel and three times his words revealed the secret of Israel’s eternal life.
We have just buried three pure souls, three young Jews, Eyal, Naftali and Gilad, stolen and murdered by vile Muslim terrorists, who sought to break and crush and destroy Israel. These three pure souls who embody the very best in Israel, will live forever, three beacons revealing the strength and unity of Israel, the victory of good over evil.
Balak (Numbers 19:1-22:1)
Parashat Balak is read on Shabbat:
Sivan 30, 5774/June 28, 2014
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The Thin Red Line: Parashat Chukat describes so many seemingly unrelated events, yet it is the profound fundamental truth contained in the commandment of the red heifer – parah adumah – that ties all these events so tightly together.
Chukat (Numbers 19:1-22:1)
Parashat Chukat is read on Shabbat:
Sivan 30, 5774/June 28, 2014
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“They say that vanity got the best of him…” Korach had it all: He was brilliant, well educated, a smooth talker, well versed in the art of communication. He was an aristocrat, a Levite whose privilege it was to bear the Ark of the Covenant across the desert. He was wealthy and well respected. He had it all but he wanted more. His “I, Me, Mine” attitude gave G-d no choice, as it were, but to put him out of His world. The earth opened up and swallowed him whole. Always seeking the limelight, “he sure left here in style.”
Korach (Numbers 16:1-18:32)
Parashat Korach is read on Shabbat:
Sivan 23, 5774/June 21, 2014
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Twelve righteous men are sent to “spy” on the land of Israel. Ten return with an evil report, slandering the land of Israel. What went wrong? Narrow and short-sighted self-interest? Or was there a fundamental misunderstanding of Torah and G-d’s expectations of man in this world? Our generation today has been granted by G-d the opportunity to repair the devastating damage of the evil report and bring His light into the world.
Shelach (Numbers 13:1-15:41)
Parashat Shelach is read on Shabbat:
Sivan 16, 5774/June 14, 2014
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Intimately connected to the land of Israel, Shavuot is the festival of the bringing of the first-fruits to the Holy Temple. Shavuot is also the anniversary of the Sinai revelation and the receiving of Torah by Israel, and since the destruction of the Holy Temple the emphasis of Shavuot has been Torah study. Ultimately, Torah study and the bringing of the first-fruits are both expressions of the centrality of Torah in our lives. When we build the Holy Temple we best exemplify the fulfillment of Torah in this world by the bringing of the first-fruits.
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The twelve flags of the twelve tribes of Israel: From where did they come? What did they signify? Why was Israel so desirous of these twelve flags? “He brought me to his chamber of wine, and his flag above me was love.” Song of Songs 2:4
The twelve flags were expressions of Israel’s longing to be focused on G-d and His purpose for us in this world.
Bamidbar (Numbers 1:1-4:20)
Parashat Bamidbar is read on Shabbat:
Iyar 24, 5774/May 24, 2014
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Keeping the Shmitta – Sabbatical – year, and the Yovel – Jubilee- in the land of Israel is an essential element of the nation of Israel’s relationship to the land of Israel, and our recognition that the land and all who dwell upon it, belong to HaShem. Recognizing that HaShem is the source of all is the secret of the Jubilee freedom we proclaim throughout the land.
Behar (Leviticus 25:1-26:2)
Parashat Behar is read on Shabbat:
Iyar 10, 5774/May 10, 2014
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