Weekly Newsletter Volume 3, Issue 36

July 15, 2023; 26 Tamuz, 5783

Parsha In Parshas Massai we read about the journeys of Bnei Yisrael in the Midbar (dessert). It begins with the words, “These are the journeys of the children of Israel who left the land of Egypt in their legions, under the charge of Moshe and Aharon.” (Bamidbar 33:1)

Later in the Parsha, we read about the following journey: “They journeyed from Dibon Gad and camped in Almon Divlasaimah.” (Bamidbar 33:46)

The word “Almon” means “deprived” and the word “Divlasaimah” means “dates”. The Targum Yonasan explains that the name of this town hints at the fact that Bnei Yisrael were “deprived” of the well of Miriam (where they received water in the dessert from), because they left the Torah which is as sweet as the honey of “dates”...

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Weekly Newsletter Volume 3, Issue 35

July 8, 2023; 19 Tamuz, 5783

Parsha The second Passuk in this week’s Parsha, states that Pinchas was the son of Elazar who was the son of Aharon HaKohain. Elazar has appeared in prior Pasukim where it was mentioned that he was the son of Aharon. Why is it mentioned again in this week’s Parsha when discussing the lineage of Pinchas?

Rashi cites a Gemorah in Sanhedrim which tells us that the other Shevatim (tribes) were denigrating Pinchas’s killing of Zimri by claiming that his motivations were not pure. They claimed that the emotional force behind Pinchas killing Zimri stemmed from Avodah Zarah (idol worship) that was inherited from his mother’s side who was a descendent of Yisro (who worshiped idols prior to his conversion)...

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Weekly Newsletter Volume 3, Issue 34

July 1, 2023; 12 Tamuz, 5783

Parsha The first Possuk in Parshas Chukas (BaMidbar19:2) introduces the Mitzvah of Parah Adumah (red heifer) whose ashes are used to purify one who has become impure. This Mitzvah is puzzling because even though the Parah Adumah’s ashes make the one that is impure, pure; it makes the one who is preparing the ashes to be used, impure. The Torah tells us that this Mitzvah is a “Chok” which is a commandment of the Torah that we must observe whether we understand it or not.

The Torah introduces the Mitzvah of the Parah Adumah with the words, “Zos Chukas HaTorah” – this is the Chok of the Torah. There is a debate between the Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh and the Akeidas Yitzchok as to what these words are referring to....

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