Faith and Trust in G-d's Plan Is Happiness

The common denominator between Moshe's anger at Israel and his hitting of the rock for its water

Complete Faith Brings Happiness

G-d instructed Moshe and Aharon to speak to the boulder and extract from it water. At this point, Moshe speaks very sharply to Israel, calling them "rebels," and then strikes the boulder. Some commentators said that what Moshe did wrong (I don't like saying that Moshe "sinned") is that he spoke in anger to Israel, and others say that he hit the rock instead of speaking to it. The Maharal of Prague explains that these two things are one: Because Moshe got angry, therefore he hit the boulder instead of speaking to it. "Anger" means a lack of happiness, a lack of emuna and trust in G-d. The Maharal says that joy and faith in G-d always come together.

A Red Cow and a Golden Calf

Parashat Chukat

The Almighty says, "Let the Red Cow come and expiate the sin of the Golden Calf." Yet, this calls for an explanation - What does the statute of the Red Cow have to do with the sin of the Golden Calf? What logical connection is there between the two?

The Spirit Always Prevails

Parashat Chukat

Og king of the Bashan believed that brute physical might is the determining factor in war, and that one who possesses such might is bound to triumph. Yet, in truth, it is the spirit that always triumphs.

The Path to Purity

Parshat Parah

1. Opposite the Tent 2. Communal vs. Individual Prayer 3. Communal vs. Individual Torah

Parshat Chukat

Living with "Contradictions" What Did He Do Wrong? One Approach An "Exilic" Leadership Style