The Enigmatic Ritual of the Red Heifer The beginning of this week’s Torah reading discusses the laws of the Red Heifer. One who became impure from a deceased person must […]
Weekly Torah Portion
Insight and themes on the weekly Torah portion (parshah) read aloud in synagogue.
A Miracle Beyond Imagination The mahn (manna) was a miracle beyond our imagination! It poured down straight from heaven without any effort and could taste like whatever the Jews wanted […]
Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz The idea of animal sacrifice seems so cruel and outdated. Yet, I hear that this practice will resume after the Temple (Beit HaMikdash) […]
Q. Where is the first source for the mitzvah of Bikur Cholim? God Visits Avraham The first encounter with Bikur Cholim in Jewish tradition is actually with God Himself! The […]
From Miriam to the Meraglim At the end of last week’s Torah reading, an episode transpired in which Miriam spoke disparagingly about her brother Moshe (Moses), and was subsequently punished […]
Pesach Sheini: An Unexpected Second Chance An interesting episode transpires in Parshat Beha’alotcha. A year after the Jews’ exodus from Egypt, they were commanded to bring the Passover sacrifice once […]
The Nazir: A Commitment to Holiness In this week’s Torah reading, Parshat Naso, we are introduced to the “Nazir.” A Nazir is someone who accepts upon him/herself to conduct him/herself […]
Q. I cannot seem to find the time to visit the sick. Can I just call him on the phone? As we have previously mentioned, there are several components to […]
Q. What is Bikur Cholim? A. Bikur Cholim is the mitzvah (Torah commandment) of visiting the sick. The mitzvah of Bikur Cholim is also included in the general mitzvah of […]
What Does It Mean to Sanctify God’s Name? This week’s Torah reading includes a special mitzvah (commandment), the mitzvah of Kiddush Hashem. As the verse says (Vayikra 22:32): “And you […]
