Weekly Newsletter Volume 3, Issue 35

July 8, 2023; 19 Tamuz, 5783

Parsha The second Passuk in this week’s Parsha, states that Pinchas was the son of Elazar who was the son of Aharon HaKohain. Elazar has appeared in prior Pasukim where it was mentioned that he was the son of Aharon. Why is it mentioned again in this week’s Parsha when discussing the lineage of Pinchas?

Rashi cites a Gemorah in Sanhedrim which tells us that the other Shevatim (tribes) were denigrating Pinchas’s killing of Zimri by claiming that his motivations were not pure. They claimed that the emotional force behind Pinchas killing Zimri stemmed from Avodah Zarah (idol worship) that was inherited from his mother’s side who was a descendent of Yisro (who worshiped idols prior to his conversion)...

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Weekly Newsletter Volume 3, Issue 34

July 1, 2023; 12 Tamuz, 5783

Parsha The first Possuk in Parshas Chukas (BaMidbar19:2) introduces the Mitzvah of Parah Adumah (red heifer) whose ashes are used to purify one who has become impure. This Mitzvah is puzzling because even though the Parah Adumah’s ashes make the one that is impure, pure; it makes the one who is preparing the ashes to be used, impure. The Torah tells us that this Mitzvah is a “Chok” which is a commandment of the Torah that we must observe whether we understand it or not.

The Torah introduces the Mitzvah of the Parah Adumah with the words, “Zos Chukas HaTorah” – this is the Chok of the Torah. There is a debate between the Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh and the Akeidas Yitzchok as to what these words are referring to....

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Weekly Newsletter Volume 3, Issue 33

June 24, 2023; 5 Tamuz, 5783

Parsha In this week’s Parsha, Korach led a rebellion against the leadership of Moshe Rabbeinu. The Gemorah in Sanhedrin 109b indicates that Ohn Ben Peles (“Ohn”), who was initially mentioned among those that Korach gathered for his rebellion, was a man of high intellect and of great moral fiber. The Daas Zekainim miBaalei HaTosfos (“Daas Zekanim”) makes the same point in his explanation of the first Possuk (verse) of this week’s Parsha. The Possuk says that Ohn came from the tribe of Reuvain. In a play on words of the name “Reuvain”, the Daas Zekanim says that he was a “Ra’ah V’Haveen” – he saw and understood – i.e. he was a man of great intellect.

That being the case, how could such a highly intelligent individual make such a monumental mistake by joining Korach and his rebellion?...

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