Did you see where that Bull go? – Accepting Responsibility

At the close of our portion of this week (Pinchas), we learn about all the sacrifices of Mussafim, the additional sacrifices which are to be offered on holy days- the Shabbats, Chagim, & beginnings of months - the Rashey Chodashim. On all the Holy days, starting from Rosh Chodesh, through Pessach and Shavuot (Jewish Pentecost) …

The Right to be Afraid

When one reads about the wrath of G-d in the story of the Meraglim, the spies sent to scout the Land of Israel, one finds that to trust in G-d, to be confident in his care for us, to be optimistic,   is no privilege, not something we may or may not do, but an obligation. …

Bending Bars & Hassidut

In Parashat Naso we learn about the Mitzvah of Nazir, the Byblical Jewish hermit. That's a person who has been exposed to some unlawful conduct, as witness or participant, and wishes to cleanse his soul.  הרואה סוטה בקלקולה יזיר עצמו מן היין He who has witnessed a Sotah (a divergent woman) in her downfall should vow …

Unity of Means & Contents in the Torah

More than once I've noticed that what the Torah wants to say and how it says it - are one. One example can be found in our Parasha (Bamidbar) where we are told about the formation of the tribes around the Tabernacle. The Camp of Israel, the Machaneh Israel  was actually four minor camps, each …

To be AND not to be – That is the Answer

The definition of holiness, sanctity, in Loshon Hakodesh, in Hebrew, is to be "set apart", be nivdal. When you sanctify something, you take it away from all other things and give it special  importance. It becomes  absolute, and all else - only relative. As Rashi says in our Parasha: בכל מקום שאתה מוצא פרישות גדר ערוה …