Parashat Behaalot’ha (When You Kindle) Bamidbar (Numbers) 8:1–12:6 Haftarah: Zechariah 2:10-4:7 (2:14 in the Hebrew Bible) In this week’s Parashah, we read an amazing and dramatic description of when God’s presence came to dwell among … Read More
Abstaining for a Greater Purpose
Parashat Nasso (Lift Up) Bamidbar (Numbers) 4:21–7:89 Haftarah: Judges 13:2–25 The Western world in which most of us live is full of indulgences. While there is no problem with enjoying nice things, our human inclination … Read More
An Everlasting Love Story
Parashat Bamidbar (In the Desert/Wilderness) Bamidbar (Numbers) 1:1–4:20 Haftarah: Hosea 2:1-22 (1:10-2:20 in the English Bible) I am always amazed by the new insights the LORD gives when we read the Scriptures repeatedly. This happened … Read More
The End of the Story?
Parashat Mattot (Tribes) & Masei (Tribes and Journeys) Bamidbar (Numbers) 30:2–32:42 & 33:1–36:13 Haftarah: Jeremiah 2:4–28, 3:4, 4:1–2 In the Parasha, we read of the conclusion of the journey of the children of Israel from … Read More
What’s Your Excuse?
Parashat Pinchas Bamidbar (Numbers) 25:10–30:1 Haftarah: Jeremiah 1:1–2:3 Two of the most impactful persons in the Bible were the most hesitant to answer God’s call. Moses was one of them. He was an incredible man … Read More
A Complex Relationship
Parashat Balak Bamidbar (Numbers) 22:2–25:9 Haftarah: Micah 5:6–6:8 In this week’s Parasha, Moab — or more specifically, her king, Balak — plays a very centeral role: Now Balak the son of Zippor saw all that … Read More
Does Truth Matter?
Parashat Chukat (Statute of) Bamidbar (Numbers) 19:1–22:1 Haftarah: Judges 11:1–33 Does truth matter nowadays? Do historical facts matter? These are just a couple of questions that came to mind as I was reading this week’s … Read More
Sneaky Rebellion
Parashat Korach Bamidbar (Numbers) 16:1–18:32 Haftarah: I Samuel 11:14–12:22 Do I accept God’s elect? Am I ok with the destiny, gifts, and responsibilities He has given me? Do I trust Him and His plan? These … Read More
A Matter of Trust
Parashat Shelach (Send Forth) Bamidbar (Numbers) 13:1–15:41 Haftarah: Joshua 2:1–24 I entitled this blog entry, “A Matter of Trust” because I believe we are faced with daily decisions in our walk with the LORD that … Read More
The Menorah: A Prophetic Symbol
Parashat Behaalot’ha (When You Kindle) Bamidbar (Numbers) 8:1–12:6 Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14-4:7 As I was reading this week’s Parasha and Haftara one word connected the two, which is the “Menorah”. In the vast majority of English … Read More