Pinchas Text message

Parashat Pinchas

It is time for Moses to find a successor before he passes away. Moses doesn't know whom to choose so he asks G-d to help him.

And Moses spoke unto the Lord, saying, “Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation."

Moses could not choose someone to replace himself.

This shows us one more time Moses' humility. By asking Hashem to find the right leader, he is admitting it is time for a new leadership.

Moses gives up even that privilege because he understands the best for him may not be the best for his people.

In memory of my beloved mother and teacher Miriam Rachel bat Israel Itzchak Z"L

Balak Text message

Parashat Balak

When Balak saw that two mighty kings, Sichon and Og, could not stand up against Israel, he grew terrified.

Who were Sichon and Og? According to the midrash, they were brothers, descendants from giants.

Sichon brought all the hosts of this Amorite king together into Heshbon. Heshbon was an exceptionally well fortified city and the Israelites defeated them.

Og, according to a different Midrash, was Eliezer Abraham's servant who had grown in power and might. Another rabbinic explanation claims that King Og managed to escape the Flood by holding onto the outside of Noah’s Ark.

Balak was afraid of Israel and its victories; therefore, he hired Bilaam to curse Israel...

Sometimes we need to be very careful whom we ask for help. The solution can be worse than the problem.

In memory of my beloved mother and teacher Miriam Rachel bat Israel Itzchak Z"L

Chukat Text message

Parashat Chukat (The laws of the red heifer)

Time flies. You close your eyes, you open them again and many things happened.

This week's section includes several topics, the red heifer, Moses and Aaron hitting the rock instead of talking to it, messengers are sent to Edom to make peace, Miriam and Aaron's death,  and more.

There is something that, if we read the text as it is, we will not be able to discover.

Between the end of chapter 19 and the beginning of chapter 20, there is a gap of 38 years.

Apparently nothing happened in those years. The Israelites were quiet in the desert.

A small gap in the text may mean many years with no news, a small blink of the eyes and the whole world changes.

In memory of my beloved mother and teacher Miriam Rachel bat Israel Itzchak Z"L