Judaism

Torah

Did God Give Balaam the Grace to Utter Truth?

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Death as a Constant Part of Life

Torah

Is Golan Heights Part of Holy Land?

Torah

A Gift From Above for the People Below

By:

Rabbi Joshua Runyan

Matot-Massei, Numbers 30:2-36:13 Book-ended by a fast commemorating the beginning of the Romans' siege of Jerusalem, and another fast marking the city's destruction and the burning of the Holy Temple, the three weeks between the 17th of Tammuz and Tisha B'Av represent the darkest point in the Jewish people's history: Its banishment from the Land of Israel an the sacking...

Torah

How to React When Faced With Adversity

By:

Rabbi Howard A. Addison

CHUKAT-BALAK, Numbers 19:1-25:9 In her 1998 book, To Begin Again, Rabbi Naomi Levy discusses the final illness and passing of Lloyd, her husband's cousin and best friend. Blessed with charm, good looks and a flair for music and art, Lloyd seemed to have the world on a string. However, a month prior to Rabbi Levy's wedding, Lloyd reported a slight...

Torah

How Do Former Slaves Create a Community?

By:

Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell, Jewish Exponent Feature

KORACH, Numbers: 16:1-18:32 Korach is the halfway point on our journey through the challenging terrain of the book of Numbers. Each summer, this troubling portion calls out for interpretation, posing questions we had not previously noticed, hinting at options for alternative routes through the burning sand. This year, Korach's and Dathan and Abiram's intertwined rebellions against established leadership shed an...

Torah

Why Did Speaking Truth Lead to Punishments?

By:

Rabbi Joshua Runyan

SHLACH, Numbers: 13:1-15:41 It's hard not to wonder: If a congressional committee of inquiry investigated the spies discussed in this week's portion -- much as several have done in regards to the CIA and other organs of America's intelligence establishment -- what would it find they did wrong? Commentators through time have grappled with why the spies -- who at...

Torah

Was Moses the World's First Workaholic?

BEHA'ALOTCHA, Numbers: 8:1-12:16

By:

Rabbi Danielle Stillman

Who hasn't felt overworked and wanted to complain about it? And who hasn't felt, at times, that work is also our most important responsibility? In this week's portion, we identify with the Jewish people and with Moses. The Israelites complain about hunger -- and then gorge themselves on quail when it comes. Miriam and Aaron complain that Moses is taking...