Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz Why is the Jewish nation divided into twelve shevatim (tribes), something that in time led to division and even war? Wouldn’t it have […]
Weekly Torah Portion
Journey through Bamidbar with engaging Torah thoughts and reflections on the wilderness experience of the Jewish people.
Life in the Wilderness: Surrounded by Miracles Life in the desert was a unique type of existence. It was an effortless life, where all of Klal Yisrael (the Jewish nation)’s […]
The Jews Complained Despite Their Blessings In this week’s Torah reading, as the Jews traveled through the desert on their way to the Land of Israel, they started to complain […]
Who Will Bless the Kohanim? In this week’s Torah reading (Bamidbar 6:22-27) we have the Birchat Kohanim – the blessings which the Kohanim (descendants of Aaron the High Priest, who […]
We know that the Torah is quite sparing with words, and many times we can derive laws from just one extra letter. Therefore, it is puzzling that our parashah dedicates […]
The Leaders of the Tribes Each shevet (tribe) in the desert had their own Nasi, the leader of their tribe. Our parashah opens by telling us who the Nesi’im (leaders) […]
The Importance of Order In this week’s Torah reading, the Torah discusses the order in which the Tribes of Israel settled, as they camped in the desert on their way […]
Preparing for Passover: The Reading of Parashat Parah In addition to the regular Torah reading this week, we read Parshat Parah, which is about the Parah Adumah (the Red Heifer). […]
Sheep Before Children? Moshe’s Subtle Reproof In this week’s Torah reading (Bamidbar 32), as the Jews neared the land of Israel, two tribes approached Moshe (Moses) and asked if instead […]
Q. I am reciting a Jewish prayer on behalf of the sick. Should I mention the patient’s name? Knowing Whom You’re Praying For Although God is very well aware of […]