We read in Parashat Va’et’hanan the first of the three paragraphs that comprise the Shema text which we recite each morning and evening. This first paragraph contains the command, “Ve’ahabta Et Hashem Elokecha Be’chol Lebabecha U’b’chol Nafshecha U’b’chol...
In Parashat Debarim, Moshe recounts several of Beneh Yisrael’s experiences as they traveled through the desert, including the time when they prepared to journey along the border of Edom, the nation that descended from Esav, the brother of...
In Parashat Matot we read of the request made by the tribes Reuven and Gad, who approached Moshe to ask if they could permanently reside in the territory east of the Jordan River. Beneh Yisrael had captured...
The Torah in Parashat Pinhas tells about the census taken of Beneh Yisrael shortly before they crossed into the Land of Israel. We find in the Torah’s account of this census a list of the families of...
Parashat Balak tells the famous story of the attempt made by Balak, the king of Moav, to annihilate Am Yisrael by hiring a gentile prophet, Bilam, to place a curse on them. G-d intervened and protected Beneh...
Parashat Hukat begins with the command of the Para Aduma, the red cow which was slaughtered and then burned into ashes. These ashes were mixed with water that would be used to purify people and objects that...
Parashat Korah tells the story of the uprising led by Korah against Moshe Rabbenu. Korah assembled a group of 250 followers and challenged Moshe, charging that he had no right to appoint his brother, Aharon, as Kohen...
Parashat Shelah tells the tragic story of “Het Ha’meragelim” – the sin of the spies, who were sent to scout the Land of Israel in advance of Beneh Yisrael’s entry into the land. The spies returned and...
Parashat Behaalotecha begins with what appear as three unrelated topics, but which in truth share an important common theme. The first topic is the command to Aharon regarding the daily kindling of the Menorah. Rashi explains that Aharon regretted...
Tradition teaches that the souls of all Jews who would ever live until the end of time were present at Mount Sinai when the Torah was given. This concept actually finds halachic expression, in the concept of...