Korach aided by Datan and Aviram lead a rebellion against Moshe’s legitimacy and authority. The challenge to Moshe’s rightful G-D appointed leadership was so dramatic that the rebels’ fate was something unprecedented (see BaMidbar 16:29-30). The magnitude of the challenge and its aftermath almost obscures what happened after the Rebels met their fate.

The next day the nation confronted Aaron and Moshe declaring “ . . . You have killed the people of the L-rd.” (BaMidbar 17:6) . A…

Continue

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…

Continue

The word Pras is commonly translated as reward in the context of compensation however that is imprecise. Rabbi Ovadiah Bartenura ZT’L ZY’A explains Pras as when an employer pays a worker when there is no obligation or expectation to receive wages. Such as a small child or spouse doing household chores.

The analogy is fascinating as it implies two lessons while one should serve G-D with no expectation anything of special. However those things that are essential for one’s existence one…

Continue

The prominence given Kriyat Yom Suf the Splitting of the Red Sea cannot be understated. Each morning and evening The Amidah prayer, the most intimate part of the service are preceded by evoking this miraculous event.



The Midrash Tana D’Bay Eliyahoo (Shai L’Morah/ Weinfeld ed. 7:19) Offers the following insight;

　

What is the reason [G-D ] drowned the Egyptians in the Yam Suf ? What is the connection with The Israelite nation ? Because scripture teaches "And Pharaoh… Continue

Rabbi Eliezer’s teaching is curious. How is it read? Was the Rabbi making several statements or a single piece of interrelated instruction.

The trend of commentaries seem to view the Mishnah as a solid piece of advice. Rabbi Nachman of Breslev…

Continue

Avtalyon’s ZT’L ZY’A statement is fascinating as it is obvious. Certainly one teaching Torah should take care to transmit one’s lessons in a faithful manner. Failing to do so and leaving one’s lessons ambiguous allowing one’s students to draw conclusions contrary to moral and mores of Judaism would be a recipe for exile, for a distortion in the chain of transmission stretching from…

Continue

An almost overlooked aspect of the sidra is Sodom. True the city is forever known from ancient times as a place associated with depraved behavior. Yet what did the residents of Sodom think of themselves?



True to their reputation the Torah twice Bereshith 13:13 where the population of Sodom is called “ . . .evil and very sinful” Rashi ZT’L ZY’A comments how incongruous? How could Lot choose to dwell in Sodom when he split from Avraham?. Lot grew up under the influence of Avraham a… Continue

G-D the Mishnah teaches has ownership over five things, Torah, Heaven and Earth, Avraham Avinu A’H ,The Jewish Nation and The Holy Temple.,. This is perplexing and simply cannot be taken at face value How could one claim any limit on G-D’s dominion over His creation? Therefore, to be a kinyan, an acquisition of G-D’s implies a special relationship.



The word Kinyan denotes ownership, exclusive control or as Rabbi Yossef Yavetz ZY’A suggests a kinyan is a profound connection, one of… Continue

Four categories are identified among those who attend the Beit HaMedrash, the place dedicated for Torah Study and prayer. There is one who goes to the Beit Medrash but does not learn, he receives reward for going. The second is one who learns in solitude at home and does not attend the actual Beit Medrash, he receives reward for his learning. The person considered pious both attends and learns in the Beit HaMedrash. Whereas the fourth who nether attends the Beit HaMedrah or learns Torah is… Continue

Rabbi Yishmael appears to be teaching that if one merely sees Torah as an academic discipline, something to study and teach one will be blessed with the ability and opportunity to study and teach. However, one who approaches Torah from the point of view that Torah exists on a level that surpasses its intellectual depth. Torah is what animates every movement in one’s life. Consequently, one who adopts this second approachl is blessed not just to learn and teach but also have the opportunity to… Continue

Rabbi Akiva ben Mihalelail one should examine three things to avoid sin "from where do i come?", 'where is my final destinaton ?" and "before whom will I be acountable for the life lived?"

. . . .



Rabbi Akiva ben Mihalelail’s teaching is challenging. The Rabbi is as the Chofetz Chaim ZY’A explains that these are the images one should keep constantly on one’s mind. Yet to think that one should carry around the conundrum that even a life full of accomplishment ends in the grave,… Continue