The name of this week’s parasha is Pinchas, which is named after the priest who was zealous for God, and covers Numbers 25:10-30:1.  Adonai compliments Pinchas for his actions, which turned away Adonai’s wrath from the Israelis, and states that He will make a covenant of a perpetual priesthood with Pinchas and his descendants. We […]

In chapter 20, The Lord summons Moses and Aaron, and instructs them to take the staff and to speak to the rock to yield its water. Unfortunately, Moses and Aaron do not heed Adonai’s instructions.  Instead, they gather the assembly before the rock and say to them: “Listen now you rebels, shall we bring water […]

The Torah portion this Shabbat (Numbers 16-18) is called Korach, named after the leader of an infamous rebellion against Moses and Aaron – one which ended catastrophically. This is now the third challenge to Moses’ leadership. The first from his own siblings, Aaron and Miriam (allegedly for having married an Ethiopian woman). The second was […]

This week our parasha is Shelach Lecha which means “Send For Yourself”. Parasha Shelach Lecha covers Numbers 13:1-15:41. In this parasha we see both the mercy and justice of the Lord. We also see the consequences for constant rebellion. Numbers 13 begins with our people having arrived at the border of the Promised Land. Adonai […]

This week’s parashah is entitled B’ha`alotkha meaning (When you set up.) It covers Numbers chapter 8:1-12:16. In verse 1, of chapter 8, Adonai said to Moses “Tell Aaron to put the lampstand with the seven lamps in the place I showed you. These lamps will light the area in front of the lampstand.” The lampstand […]

This week’s parasha is entitled Naso, which means, “to elevate” or “lift up.”  It covers Number 4:21-7:89.  You will probably not find the words “elevate” or “lift up” in your Bible.  Most likely, you have something like, “Take a census of the sons of Gershon…” as the start to verse 22.  However, if we look […]

The Torah portion for this Shabbat is BaMidbar, meaning “In the Wilderness”. It marks the beginning of the book of Numbers. As many of you know, the Hebrew names for the books of the Torah are derived from the key word in the opening sentence of each book. This one is called Sefer BaMidbar because […]

This week we have a double parasha, Behar and Bechukotai, which means, “On the Mountain” and “In My Laws”. These parashas cover Leviticus 25:1–27:34 and close the book of Leviticus.  Our parashas for this week remind us of the importance of keeping our promises to the Lord. We begin in Leviticus 25 which records the […]

This week’s Parasha is Emor and covers Leviticus 21-24. Chapter 21 covers the holiness of the priest and the offerings as required by Adonai. It starts with  “and the Lord said to Moses”.  This is a phrase that would be repeated throughout this section of Leviticus. The Lord tells Moses to speak to the priest […]

The name of this week’s double parasha is Achrei Mot-Kedoshim: Achrei Mot means “after the death” and Kedoshim means “holy ones.” This double parasha covers Leviticus 16:1-20:27, and opens with instructions for Aaron regarding the Most Holy Place – after his sons Nadab and Abihu were put to death because they presented unauthorized offerings before […]