Text message Ree

Parashat Ree (you shall see)

This section reviews the laws of kashrut.

We learn once again about the animals that are forbidden and those we can eat.

For animals that walk on four legs, we have two simultaneous conditions in order to be kosher. Same thing happens with fish.

But with birds, there are no special rules but rather a list of those that are permitted and those that are not. Why?

Birds are the only animals that can see the rest of the creatures from above.

Maybe the Torah is telling us that those who look at the rest from above will be, at some point, singled out.

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

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

Korach Text message

Parashat Korach

Korach, Datan and Aviram, together with 250 renowned people, started a rebellion against Moses and Aaron. But mainly against Aaron.

Their claim was, who said you have been chosen? Who said you are the right ones?

Hashem became furious against the people and, a couple of times, wanted to destroy the whole people and start a new nation with only Moses and Aaron and their families.

We know that Moses and Aaron were able to "calm down" Hashem. At some point Hashem started a plague that killed the rebels, and guess who is the one who stopped the plague? Right!!! Aaron.

He didn't want to see his people dying. The text tells us that he runs to save his people.

Aaron teaches us with his act that no matter how harsh people are, how badly they act against us, there is always room for love and compassion.

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

Text message Schlach Lecha

Parashat Schlach Lecha (Send messengers)

Moses had a plan.

He sent messengers to the land of Israel. The people received the Torah, they built a tabernacle, they were ready to conquer the land of Israel.

His plan was a very good one. He instructed the spies, gave them clear directions and guidance.

What could be wrong?

Everything was set and ready for a good end.

But... That is the word of this parasha... When the spies came back, they spoke nicely about the land of Israel, BUT... 10 of them used the word BUT and added not very nice comments.

When you have a good plan, you need to make sure you cover all your buts.

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

Beaalotcha Text message

Parashat Beaalotcha (When you kindle the lamps)

In this section we read about a group of people who were impure and could not eat the Passover sacrifice.

According to the Midrash, they were impure because they were carrying Joseph's coffin.

They became impure for fulfilling a mitzvah which is a little bit of a contradiction.

This teaches us that it is incorrect to think that having dirty hands always means you have been doing "dirty" tasks.

Sometimes those who have "dirty" hands and their feet in the mud are those who achieve a higher level of holiness.

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