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

The Consolation Before Our Eyes

Translated by Hillel Fendel

Who can truly console us? Who can truly provide words and deeds of comfort? No mortal can truly comfort us, not even the greatest or wisest of men. Only Hashem our G-d can do so!

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.

Blurring Differences

discussing the revival of Korah's social ideology in the modern era, and its the rejection of the basic concept in Jewish society that different people have different functions and different ways of serving HaShem.

Not Tests - Challenges!

Construction of the Menorah in the Tabernacle was a very difficult task, according to the Medrash. What exactly was so hard about forming it?

The “Good Eye” of Israel

Parashat Balak

At the very moment that Moses receives the Tablets of the Covenant from the Almighty - a moment which is sure to play a most determining role in the destiny of the Jews - Israel is put to the most difficult of tests, and it results in a great fall.

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 Nasoh

Kodesh and Chol (the holy and the mundane)

The Calf- Sotah A Practical Application The Nazir: A Double-Edged Sword

Divine Light

Parashat Beha'alotcha

Why the Light? Ongoing Responsibility Negative Influence Asafsuf Irritated by Divine Food

Parshat Shlach

Another Look at the Sin of the Spies

Not "If" - But "How"! The Spies' Mistaken Mindset

Korach's Fatal Error

Parashat Korach

The Challenge Our Approach to Peace Torah Scholars: the True "Peace Camp" Closeness Engenders Strife

Parshat Chukat

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

Bilam's Predicament

Parashat Balak

Prophecy No Guarantee of Greatness. The Power of Speech. Nowhere to Move.

The Parameters of Pinchas' Zealotry

Parashat Pinchas

Beyond Intellect and Emotion A Dearth of Halachot Of Torah or Rabbinic Origin? Zimri's Right to Self-Defense A Lesson Learned

To Speak or Not to Speak

Parshat Matot - Masei

Not Just Anyone With Complete Faith Man's Creative Energies Perception Deceptive

To Speak or Not to Speak

Parshat Matot - Masei

Not Just Anyone With Complete Faith Man's Creative Energies Perception Deceptive

As Shavuot Approaches...

Parshat Bamidbar

A Time and Place Happy Birthday Reliving Matan Torah