Bilaam and Balak teach us important lessons about how even through insincere actions we can positively change who we are.
Author: Ariel Mintz, MD
In this week’s Torah portion (Korach), we witness one of the most famous biblical arguments. Korach gathered a group of people to contest the power of Moshe and Aharon. Moshe and Aharon attempted to discuss the matter with those who felt slighted. However, their opponents stayed firm refusing to enter into conversation and ultimately greater Read More …
In this week’s Torah portion (Shelach), spies are sent to explore Israel in preparation for conquest. They were given several tasks including assessing whether the land was fat or thin. The Ohr Hachaim interprets this to mean, is the land capable of producing healthy produce year after year or are the nutrients quickly depleted, requiring a fallow Read More …
In this week’s Torah portion (Behalotcha), we are told the Jews in the desert would rest and travel at God’s command. Sometimes they would rest for a year and other times just hours. The Ohr Hachaim points out that the Jews obeyed regardless of if they were exhausted or if they wanted to travel further. They never complained about the constant uncertainty of Read More …
This week’s Torah portion (Behar-Bechukotei) promises several rewards for going in God’s ways and keeping his commandments. The midrash (Torat Kohanim 26:2) explains that going in God’s ways refers to toiling in Torah. This is a mitzvah regardless of how many times you have already learned the same text or concept. Another midrash (Kohelet Rabbah 3:10), Read More …
This week’s Torah portion (Acharei mot- Kedoshim) conveys the procedures of Yom Kippur, the day of atonement. The Ohr Hachaim comments that without this opportunity we would all be damaged and pained by the burden of our sins. God granted us a cleansing procedure to free ourselves of guilt. The burden of guilt Many Read More …
This week’s Torah portion (Tazriyah-Metzorah), discusses the disease Tzarat, a punishment for slander. Part of the purification process requires two birds, one sacrificial and the other set free. Rashi elucidates that birds are specifically brought because their chirping represents our negative speech. Rav Eliyahu Schlesinger takes it a step further and emphasizes that one bird is set Read More …
Recently, Netflix produced a TV series detailing 13 reasons why a young woman committed suicide. Closer to home, this past week, our community lost a young soul to suicide. Suicide is not glorious as portrayed in the Netflix series. It is a frightening, irreversible act that permanently scars those affected by it and can never Read More …
Inspiration from Ethics of the Fathers about how to obtain wisdom. This advice transcends intellectual attainment and leads to complete well-being.