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...

Torah

If You Convey Blessings, You'll Receive Them, Too

Naso, Numbers 4:21-7:89

By:

Rabbi Howard A. Addison

Naso contains the most powerful of scriptural blessings, Birkat Kohanim, the Threefold Priestly Benediction. Through a 15-word invocation, Aaron and his descendants are commanded to confer upon the people Israel God's blessing and protection, radiance and grace, favor and peace. This moving brachah is invoked daily during morning and afternoon services, every Friday evening when we bless our children, and...

Torah

Deconstructing Essence of Choice

SHAVUOT

By:

Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb

For those of us outside of Israel, there is no "portion of the week" this coming Sabbath. The two-day holiday of Shavuot falls on Friday and Saturday, and pre-empts the regular reading. Instead, I will devote this column to the book of Ruth, which is heard at shul this week. There is hardly an example of human tragedy that is...

Torah

'Woe to Wicked Person, Woe to His Neighbor!'

BAMIDBAR, Numbers: 1:1-4:20

By:

Rabbi Joshua Runyan

Ever had a bad neighbor? You know: the upstairs family that sounds like a herd of elephants at night? The next door workaholic who likes to get the mowing done before rush hour? While describing a census of the Jewish people and the role of the 12 tribes in transporting the Tabernacle, this week's portion also gives us a glimpse...