Parshas Eikev
Rabbi Berel Wein Moshe’s discourse to the children of Israel at the end of his life continues in this week’s parsha. I think that it has to be said that Moshe presents a “fair and balanced” review of the events that have befallen Israel during its desert sojourn. The good and the bad, the exalted […]
Og Slept Here!
Rabbi Zvi Teichman Moshe recalls the remarkable victories we experienced over the mighty warrior, Sichon, the king of Cheshbon, and his giant brother, Og, the king of Bashan. The Torah goes on to record how in an earlier episode the nation of Ammon defeated the race of giants known as Refaim, with Og the only […]
Parshas Devarim
Rabbi Berel Wein This week’s Torah reading begins the oration by our teacher Moshe during the final months of his life. In this oration, he reviews the 40-year sojourn of the Jewish people in the Sinai desert and prophesizes regarding their future, first in the Land of Israel and then throughout history. The Torah tells […]
Parshas Matos-Masei
Rabbi Berel Wein The introductory subject of this week’s Torah reading concerns itself with vows and commitments that a person takes upon himself or herself willingly, by simply stating his or her intention. The Torah places great emphasis upon the spoken word. Everything that is uttered from our mouths obligates us to the commitment attached […]
Parshas Pinchas
By Rabbi Berel Wein This week’s Torah portion warns us not to be swept away by current culture, media, and societal popularity and by those who are quick to condemn others for their thoughts and actions. When Pinchas killed Zimri and his consort he was roundly criticized and threatened by the those in Jewish society […]
Liven Up!
Rabbi Zvi Teichman A fascinating observation is made that when one compares the census taken at the beginningof the book of ‘Numbers’ — Bamidbar, at the onset of their forty-year sojourn, contrasting it with the count taken in our portion, at the near end of their long journey, there is a noticeable discrepancy. Whereas some […]
Parshas Balak
Rabbi Kostelitz
Parshas Balak
Rabbi Berel Wein We are taught in the book of Mishlei that it is better to hear criticism from a friend than compliments from someone who is truly one’s enemy. This week’s Torah reading abounds in compliments given to the Jewish people by the leading prophet of the non-Jewish world, Bilaam. From all of the […]
Parshas Chukas
Rabbi Kostelitz
Not a Time For Humility
Rabbi Zvi Teichman An attempt is made by Moshe to take a shortcut on the Children of Israel’s journey to the promised land through the territory of Edom. In what appears to be a heartfelt appeal, Moshe sends a three-pronged message to the King of Edom. Firstly, he asserts their familial connection as ‘brothers’. The […]