Motivation of the SpiesMotivation of the Spies Greetings from the holy city of Jerusalem! In this week's parsha, G-d tells Moses, "Send forth men to spy out the land of Canaan that I am giving to the Jewish people"...

Dvar Torah by Rabbi Zelig PliskinDvar Torah by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin The Torah states: "And the Almighty spoke to Moshe, saying: Send for yourself men, that they may spy out the Land of Canaan, which I am giving to the...

Parashat Shelach: A SummaryParashat Shelach: A Summary The Jewish people received the Torah on Mt. Sinai and were ready to enter the land of Israel. There was consensus amongst the people that we should send spies to see...

Holding Up the World by Rabbi Yitzchok FingererHolding Up the World by Rabbi Yitzchok Fingerer A number of years ago, the well-respected psychiatrist Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski was giving a tour of a psychiatric ward to...

Dvar Torah by Rabbi Zelig PliskinDvar Torah by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin Miriam, Moshe's sister, heard from Moshe's wife, Tzipora, that Moshe had separated himself from her (so that he, Moshe, could receive a prophecy from the...

Parashat Beha'alotecha: A SummaryParashat Beha'alotecha: A Summary Aharon is commanded in the lighting of the Menorah, the Levites purify themselves for service in the Tabernacle (they trained from age 25-30 and served...

Parashat Nasso - What makes you unique? Parashat Nasso - What makes you unique? Rav Jonathan Gilbert   What makes you unique? Let’s face it. We share the world with another 8 billion people. Nearly 5 children are...

Dvar Torah by Rabbi Zelig PliskinDvar Torah by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin The Torah tells the Cohanim to bless the Jewish people.  The blessing begins with: "May the Lord bless you and keep you." (Numbers 6:24) Why are the...

Parashat Naso: A SummaryParashat Naso: A SummaryThis week's portion includes further job instructions to the Levites, Moshe is instructed to purify the camp in preparation for the dedication of the Mishkan, the Portable...

Challenging questions for the Shabbat table.Challenging questions for the Shabbat table. A major census is recounted in the parsha. Where else in the book of Numbers is there a census of the Jews? In parshas Pinchas, in...