Ki tetze Text Message

Parashat Ki Tetze (When you go out)

This section contains several rules not necessarily related one to the other.

Towards the end of the parasha, there is a paragraph that became a mitzvah, Zachor. We are commanded to remember what Amalek did to us when we left Egypt,  when they attacked the Israelites from the back.

Before that, we are also reminded (with the same verb, Zachor) that we had been slaves in Egypt and, therefore, need to treat strangers nicely.

Also before that, we are told to remember what happened to Miriam in the desert when she got sick with leprosy.

Three sad episodes that happened to the people of Israel. Our memories sometimes are very selective and we may easily forget or remember things that happened long ago.

At this time of the year, it is important to remember what we easily forget, and to forget (and forgive) what still hurts and disturbs.

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

Shoftim Text message

Parashat Shoftim (Judges)

The Torah says “Tamim tiyieh im Ad-nai Elo-cha”

The word Tamim is a very challenging one when we try to translate it.  Perfect, blameless, never guilty, and innocent, are some of the words I found in different translations.

I would like to suggest that all those translations are incorrect.

The right translation should be: “with the capacity of being surprised”. You should be able to be surprised. The context is the prohibition of going to palm readers, magicians, or fortune tellers, so therefore I strongly believe the translation I proposed is the right one, especially if we learn that “Tamim” comes from the word “Tmihah”; in Hebrew that means surprise.

Sometimes with all the technology we have handy, we believe we know everything and we forget we can still be surprised.

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

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