ב"ה
Bamidbar 5770 - May 14, 2010
Living
Tunisia’s Russian Jewish Leader
This Russian-born, wandering Jewess went from one end of the Soviet Union to another, from Asia to Western Europe, and finally to the not-so-welcoming arms of arabic North Africa...
This Russian-born, wandering Jewess went from one end of the Soviet Union to another, from Asia to Western Europe, and finally to the not-so-welcoming arms of arabic North Africa...
Do I Have To Buy My Wife Jewelry?
A friend of mine feels it is wasteful to purchase jewelry for his wife. She, however, disagrees...
A friend of mine feels it is wasteful to purchase jewelry for his wife. She, however, disagrees...
Alternative Explanations
Spouses are known to behave badly at times. They whine. They nag. They criticize, complain, lecture and rant. They forget. They neglect their responsibilities. They neglect themselves. They neglect us!
Spouses are known to behave badly at times. They whine. They nag. They criticize, complain, lecture and rant. They forget. They neglect their responsibilities. They neglect themselves. They neglect us!
Parshah
In the Desert
In the desert there are no office buildings or factories. So if you lived in the desert, chances are you wouldn't have a job. There'd be no boss bossing you, and no underlings under you
In the desert there are no office buildings or factories. So if you lived in the desert, chances are you wouldn't have a job. There'd be no boss bossing you, and no underlings under you
The Jewish Father
Who defied Pharaoh's decree and risked their lives to carry, give birth to and nurse these children? Now that the children are to be counted, the mothers are no longer noteworthy?
Who defied Pharaoh's decree and risked their lives to carry, give birth to and nurse these children? Now that the children are to be counted, the mothers are no longer noteworthy?
Census Takers
Where I live, it happens once every five years. They come knocking on your door asking for your completed census form. Who are these people and what do they do the other 59 months?
Where I live, it happens once every five years. They come knocking on your door asking for your completed census form. Who are these people and what do they do the other 59 months?
Countdown
Why the “countdown” to the holiday of Shavuot? What is the connection between numbers and counting, and the special gift which our nation received on this holiday?
Why the “countdown” to the holiday of Shavuot? What is the connection between numbers and counting, and the special gift which our nation received on this holiday?
Meet the Neighbors
When the Torah tells us who lived near whom, it’s telling us about t There’s the influence of a rebel rouser and of the scholar…
When the Torah tells us who lived near whom, it’s telling us about t There’s the influence of a rebel rouser and of the scholar…
The Parshah in a Nutshell
Moses conducts an organized census totaling 603,550 draftable men. The tribes travel and camp in formation, and the three Levite clans dismantle, transport and reassemble the Tabernacle.
Moses conducts an organized census totaling 603,550 draftable men. The tribes travel and camp in formation, and the three Levite clans dismantle, transport and reassemble the Tabernacle.
Jewish Stories
A Tzaddik’s Repentance
When the two pupils approached, they saw their master sitting in the snow, weeping and praying. They hurriedly departed from that place.
When the two pupils approached, they saw their master sitting in the snow, weeping and praying. They hurriedly departed from that place.
The Care and Feeding of a Beard
There was no one event that caused it to happen, but at the age of 55, after almost ten years to the day of my caring for, and feeding, my beard, I shaved it off...
There was no one event that caused it to happen, but at the age of 55, after almost ten years to the day of my caring for, and feeding, my beard, I shaved it off...
The Leaf
Absentmindedly, I tore a leaf off a passing tree. Holding it a while in my hands, I continued my thoughtful pacing, occasionally tearing small pieces of leaf and casting them to the winds.
Absentmindedly, I tore a leaf off a passing tree. Holding it a while in my hands, I continued my thoughtful pacing, occasionally tearing small pieces of leaf and casting them to the winds.
The Jewish Woman
Transformation Through Intimacy
Contemporary culture is hooked on sexuality, but knows almost nothing of intimacy. The former has to do with the body, the act alone. The latter is personal, and also spiritual. Of course it’s physical and passionate too, but the passion and pleasure are even more gratifying because they fit within the broader, deeper dimension of soul . . .
Contemporary culture is hooked on sexuality, but knows almost nothing of intimacy. The former has to do with the body, the act alone. The latter is personal, and also spiritual. Of course it’s physical and passionate too, but the passion and pleasure are even more gratifying because they fit within the broader, deeper dimension of soul . . .
When My Son Turned Moonlight into Torah
Before me lay the black ocean. A dark, swirling mass of waves rolling rhythmically in and out, it seemed to mock time by being part of forever
Before me lay the black ocean. A dark, swirling mass of waves rolling rhythmically in and out, it seemed to mock time by being part of forever
Judaism
Torah Study During the Messianic Era
One of the promises regarding the Messianic Redemption concerns the Torah we will then study: "A new Torah will emit from Me." In fact, "The Torah which we study in this world is naught in comparison to the Torah of Moshiach"!
One of the promises regarding the Messianic Redemption concerns the Torah we will then study: "A new Torah will emit from Me." In fact, "The Torah which we study in this world is naught in comparison to the Torah of Moshiach"!
Chassidic Thought
Hello, Am I Home?
G‑d is saying: "Let's get one thing straight from the beginning: I am. The stars and the planets, the animals and the green trees and even humanity exist only because I am, and to serve My 'I am.' If you follow these Ten Commandments, you will join me in 'I am.'"
G‑d is saying: "Let's get one thing straight from the beginning: I am. The stars and the planets, the animals and the green trees and even humanity exist only because I am, and to serve My 'I am.' If you follow these Ten Commandments, you will join me in 'I am.'"
The Rose Among the Thorns
The holy Zohar opens with the image of the Jewish nation likened to a beloved rose with 13 petals and 5 sepals.
The holy Zohar opens with the image of the Jewish nation likened to a beloved rose with 13 petals and 5 sepals.
Holidays
Shavuot Mini-Site
Shavuot marks the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai. The Ten Commandments are read in synagogues, just as they were in the desert on Mt. Sinai over 3,300 years ago.
Shavuot marks the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai. The Ten Commandments are read in synagogues, just as they were in the desert on Mt. Sinai over 3,300 years ago.
You have selected the L‑rd this day, to be your G‑d, and to walk in His ways, and to observe His statutes, His commandments and His ordinances, and to obey Him . . . And G‑d has selected you this day to be His treasured people, as He has promised you . . .
— Deuteronomy 26:17–18
Print Magazine
Afterlife is a very rational, natural consequence of the order of things.
After all, nothing is ever lost—even the body only transforms into earth. But nothing is lost.
So too, the person you are is never lost. That person—that soul—only returns to its origin.
If your soul became acutely attached to the material worl...
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