Tuesday
May042021
CRUSHED TO SHINE WONDERS
May 4, 2021The prolonged suffering in exile is a peleh, beyond reason, a wonder. * G-d whispers its inner meaning through the wonders in the Torah.
Entries in BaMidbar (11)
Wednesday
Jun052019
You Count When You’re Counted
One fine morning, two men came to shul to daven Shacharis. They quickly discovered that there was no minyan. They were the only ones that showed up.
Tuesday
May152018
FIRE, WATER AND THE DESERT
The fourth book of the Torah is called BaMidbar-In the Desert. The first parsha of this book, this week’s parsha, is also referred to as BaMidbar. This year, as in most years, it is read on the Shabbos prior to Shavuos, the anniversary of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
Tuesday
May232017
MODERN-DAY LEVITES
BaMidbar, the book of Numbers, begins with the census of the Jewish people. According to Rashi, G-d’s census was a sign of endearment; it indicates how each one of us is precious to Him.
Tuesday
Jun072016
THE COVER UP
The end of this week’s parsha describes the manner in which the Levites transported the Mishkan, the portable sanctuary in the desert.
Wednesday
May202015
ANGELOLOGY
Every detail of the Jewish people’s sojourn in the desert was choreographed by G-d. The twelve tribes were divided into four formations, each consisting of three tribes. While each tribe had its own distinctively colored flag, there were an additional four flags, one for each of the tribal formations.
Wednesday
May212014
THE POWER OF SELF-ABNEGATION
…the desert is the state of total self-abnegation, the Hebrew word for which is bittul. Bittul allows us to combine assertiveness and humility. We become totally receptive to the Divine teachings of the Torah when we are self-effacing. Once we receive G-d’s Torah in its purest state and are devoid of personal agendas, our assertiveness (which may appear to some as arrogance and an inflated ego) is actually an expression of G-d’s authority, not our own. The “desert” personality is simultaneously the most humble person and the most assertive and authoritative person because he is channeling G-d’s authority.
Thursday
May092013
NO EXCHANGES
What is the connection between the end of VaYikra and the beginning of BaMidbar? The very last verse of VaYikra, which summarizes the idea that the commandments of the Torah were given to Moses and the Jewish people at Mount Sinai. How does this theme tie in with the idea of no substitution and counting?
Friday
May252012
Tuesday
May222012
THE CENSUS TRIUMVIRATE
Moshiach must be steeped in the Torah and indeed possesses the soul of Moses. Moshiach must also be the one to inspire the Jewish people and gather them together with feelings of love and unity; the role of Aaron. And finally, Moshiach must also know how to cultivate the individual talents of every Jew and cherish his or her individual contribution.
Tuesday
May222012
YOU COUNT! HERE’S WHY…
Yet, on Shavuos the Eibeshter Himself descended with all of His hordes and hosts of angels and declared to us: YOU COUNT! He indicated to us that He desires a dwelling place specifically on this lowly, negligible, insignificant spot in His vast creation. And He wants it to be effected by the conduct of these lowly, unimportant beings – these insignificant specks of humanity. That is to say: you and I!