It is axiomatic to being a document of D-vine origin that not only is scripture worthy of comment but even how the text is organized. Rashi ZT’L ZY’A comments on BaMidbar 6:2 that the reason behind the juxtaposition between the Parsha of Sota (BaMidbar 5:11-31) and the Parsha of Nazir (BaMidbar 6:1-21) was one who would see a woman suspected of infidelity would be moved to abstain from wine {and accept a nazirite vow}.(see Sota 2a).

A Sota is a woman whose husband suspects of being…

The Sidra focuses on the organization of Bene Yisrael “Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel, by families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of names, every male by their polls;” (BaMidbar 1:2). Rabbi Meir Leibish Malbim ZT’L (BaMidbar 1:2) points out the earlier census (Shemoth 30:12-16) served to determine how many Bene Yisrael were there. Whereas the census recorded in the beginning of BaMidbar is focused on how the individual is associated…

This Mishna at first glance seems to offer a simple lesson about the importance of being a role model and how one influences others. This Mishna is cited in Yoma 87a explaining that it would be inappropriate for one’s students to enter Gan Eden, paradise and their Teacher, the one who raised them to spiritual heights should wind up languishing in Geheinom. Psalms 16:10 “For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will you suffer your pious one to see the pit.” The Marasha ZT’L ZY’A notes…

Rabbi Ya’akov’s lesson seems fairly simplistic and obvious. The present plane of existence is merely preparatory for the world to come. Certainly, anyone subscribing to a G-D-centric world view would place the emphasis on the plane of eternal life, the world to come and not on the transitory existence bounded at either end by birth and death.

Is Rabbi Ya’akov signature teaching something so axiomatic or is there something deeper.

Arguably Rabbi Ya’akov’s observation is based on a…

Rabbi Akiva’s teaching is remarkable in how it is contrary to one would expect. Generally the Rabbi’s lesson is positive describing those things which are axiomatic to one’s status as a human being or as a Jew being the source of joy in one’s life. Rabbi Akiva was the scion of converts and did not begin to learn Torah until he was Forty. As an unlettered shepherd The future leader was so hostile to scholars that if he encountered one he would bite him. (see Pesachim 49b, Ketuvoth 62b-63a ).…