Bein HaMetzarim 5785, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom. In memory of my father - הרב אשר אהרן בן אברהם בנימין ז"ל -Tammuz 21

Why do chakhamim set up a parallel between the events that befell our ancestors on each of 17 beTammuz and 9 beAv?

The Mishna in Ta'anit presents a literary parallel between the events that befell our ancestors on 17 of Tammuz and those that happened on 9 beAv. We explore the lists and identify three types of events on each list - and the common features which all of the items on each list share. Using this analysis, an approach to understanding the underlying failure that led to each of these tragedies is proposed, one which does much to shed light on how Chazal want us to view these fasts and our expected response to them. This shiur was given to the staff of Machaneh Stone on 17 beTammuz.

Sefer Bamidbar | Balak | 5785 | The Nature of Bilam's Prophecy, by Rav Ezra Bick

Why do we need to know what Bilaam said to Balak? What is the significance of the entire story of Balak's failed plan to enlist Bilaam to curse Israel?

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 34 | Balak, by Rav Eli Weber

Who is Bilam?

Balak | Mah Tovu Ohalekha Yaakov, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom

What motivated Bil'am to bless as he did? Following the progression of Bilam's blessings.

The lyrical, uplifting blessings with which Bil'am blessed Bnei Yisrael are among the most elegant and moving series of passages in Tanakh. What motivated Bil'am to bless as he did - was he simply a mouthpiece of Hashem, or did he, at some point, identify with the mission to bless God's people? A careful look at the text of his blessings, along with the passages that stitch those blessings together, reveals a more complex reality and a more profound answer.

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 33 | Chukat, by Rav Eli Weber

What was the sin of Moshe and Aharon?

Sefer Bamidbar | Chukat | 5785 | Taking Initiative, by Rav Ezra Bick

What's the difference between the first generation in the midbar and the second? Three short incidents in the middle of the Parasha define the change in the Jewish people after thirty years.

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 32 | Korach, by Rav Eli Weber

Why is HaShem offended by Korach? What is Bnei Yisrael's challenge to Moshe?

Sefer Bamidbar | Korach | 5785 | The Holiness of Am Yisrael, by Rav Ezra Bick

How does the flowering of Aaron's staff answer the complaint of the Jews? More importantly, is not the argument of Korach, "all Jews are holy", correct?

Korach | Korach, Datan and Aviram: When and Why? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom

What were Datan and Aviram challenging - as opposed to Korach?

The story of the rebellion(s) against Moshe is confusing; why are the rebels taking the stand against Moshe? What is their claim? When is this claim being presented? How do they die? A close analysis reveals two different stories being told.

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Sefer Bamidbar | Shelach | 5785 | The Meaning of Ascent, by Rav Ezra Bick