Shabbat Shalom

Phineas boldly confronted the evil in the midst of the camp and was rewarded with a covenant of peace. The Lubavitcher Rebbe said that Phineas was prepared to sacrifice himself for his people, which was fitting as they prepared to enter the land of Israel.

The Children of Israel’s enemies choose to engage in spiritual warfare after being unable to defeat Israel with swords in Portion Balak. Yet the Prophet Balam is a huge disappointment after he is unable to fulfill his contract to curse Israel. This is a weird story!

This week’s portion, Hukat, is action packed. The red heifer is introduced, Miriam and Aaron both die, and Moses strikes a rock in anger to bring forth water. Moses then faces serious consequences for striking the rock instead of speaking to it. There are so many explanations for this story that Shmuel compiled a list!

This week we unwind the spectacle of Korach, a cousin to Moses and rebel leader among the children of Israel.

This week’s Torah portion Shelach, recounts a dramatic moment in Israel’s history: the sin of the spies. This familiar story raises questions, like why did the spies, leaders among the children of Israel, give a bad report? Did the leaders fear that they would lose their closeness to G-d once they entered the Land?

Shabbat Shalom! This week Shmuel shares his thoughts all the way from Inverness, Scotland.

Shabbat shalom. This week we read the portion of Naso. There is something in this portion that is sure to be familiar: the priestly blessing!

Why did the children of Israel receive the Torah in the desert of all places? The desert is often a lawless place, a wild west with untamed residents.

Shmuel shares a story about the Sanz Rebbe, a famous rabbi whose family perished in the Holocaust. The Sanz Rebbe had experience with curses and darkness, but he had great insight into blessings and the coming redemption of the Land of Israel.