This week we start the beginning of the end of our 40 year desert sojourn. The parsha (weekly Torah portion) is called Chukat. People normally think it refers to the disciplines in the Torah that do not make sense. However, a closer look at the word gives us a hint of the purpose of these disciplines. The root of the word means, “To engrave.” Hence the purpose of these rules is to engrave or make grooves in our soul; to … Continue reading
This week, we read the parsha (weekly Torah portion) called Korach. This is a very strange parsha. Korach, by-the-way, is the name of a leader of the tribe of Levi who has an issue with the way Moshe (Moses) was delegating authority. Now, for those of you who, like me, like to translate names, Korach comes from the root that means to make bald. It also can mean ice when given a different set of vowels. I say this to … Continue reading
With this week’s parsha (Torah portion), we have officially moved into the realm of problems for our intrepid ex-slaves. The parsha is called Shlach which is the command form of the verb, to send. The parsha starts off with haShem (god) telling Moshe (Moses) to send for himself, men to explore the land of Canaan that haShem is giving to the children of Yisrael. We read the details of who the spies are, and of their trek, and of their … Continue reading
This week we read the parsha (Torah portion) called B’ha’alotcha which means, “When you cause something to be lifted up or raised.” This word is used in reference to Aharon lifting up the candles of the menorah and is part of an idea that haShem (god) is telling Moshe (Moses) to tell to Aharon. HaShem basically wants Aharon to cause the candles of the menorah to be lifted to have their light shine opposite the face of the menorah. We … Continue reading