parsha

24:51

Behar

They Don't Know From Matzo Balls

The mitzvah of the sabbatical year allows the land to rest and replenish itself every seven years. Lest one be concerned, "What will we eat …

18:37

Bamidbar

Can G-d Find You in a Desert?

The Torah portion of Bamidbar is always read before Shavuos. What is the connection between this portion whose name means "in the desert" and the …

13:57

Naso

Teshuvah Is Not a Mitzvah

This week's portion contains the mitzvah to confess one's sins before G-d. As the Rambam writes in his Sefer HaMitzvos, "We were commanded to confess …

19:19

Behaaloscha

The Man Who Saved a Billion Lives

Why did G-d prevent the entire nation from tasting garlic and other flavors in the manna just because this would damage nursing mothers? What lesson …

23:56

Shlach

G-d's Drink

Why are the libation offerings discussed immediately after the debacle of the spies? Why did R' Yochanan say that anyone who says Shema without tefilin …

28:50

Korach

Are You a Levi?

After Korach's failed rebellion against the High Priesthood, the Torah delineates the division of labor between kohahim and levi'im. The name Levi means "attachment," specifically …

16:26

Chukas

Moshiach Is a Trigger Word

In the Laws of the Red Heifer, Maimonides adds a few extra words that seem to be out of character. The Rebbe analyzes their significance …

16:22

Balak

How to Be Moshiach

On the verse from Bilaam's prophecy "a ruler will come forth from Jacob," Rashi explains, "this is Moshiach who will 'rule from sea to sea …

19:31

Pinchas

The Dangers of Partisan Thinking

How does Moshe's handling of the case of Tzelafchad's daughters teach us about the dangers of partisanship and how it can cloud objective thinking? Based …

18:13

Matos

The Power of Positive Words

This week's reading tells us how the tribe of Reuven conquered land from the Emorites and renamed their cities. What is the connection between Reuven …

17:44

Masei

The Journey of Your Life

The Baal Shem Tov taught that each and every one of us will go through forty-two stages in our lives corresponding to the forty-two travels …

22:45

Devarim

Windshield or Rearview Mirror?

We look at two perspectives on Jewish identity. What is the difference between being Jewish "in spite of" and being Jewish "because of"? What is …