Balak Numbers 22:2–25:9 “Moab was alarmed because that people was so numerous.” — Numbers 22:3 In the beginning of this week’s Torah portion, Balak, the king of Moab, fears the presence of the Israelites, and worried that they are too numerous to defeat, he hires Balaam to curse the Israelites so that they can be Continue Reading »
Parashat: Chukat Torah Reading: Numbers 19:1–22:1 “The Israelites arrived in a body at the wilderness of Zin on the first new moon, and the people stayed at Kadesh. Miriam died there and was buried there. The community was without water, and they joined against Moses and Aaron.” — Numbers 20:1–2 The Midrash points out that Continue Reading »
Rabbi Amanda K. Weiss introduces us to writer Howard Fast, whose prolific work continued even while in prison for refusing to testify to the House Un-American Activities Committee. His most well-known work, Spartacus, was instrumental in breaking the Hollywood blacklist. Original illustration of Fast created by R. Kridel.
Parashat: Korach Torah Reading: Numbers 16:1–18:32 “They congregated against Moses and Aaron, saying to them, ‘You have gone too far! For all the community are holy, all of them, and Adonai is in their midst. Why then do you raise yourselves above Adonai’s congregation?’” — Numbers 1:2 It is never easy to receive criticism to Continue Reading »
Rabbi Craig Axler delves into the surprising life of shock rocker, Gene Simmons of Kiss. https://youtu.be/eIbf88Mnpf8 Photo of Simmons Courtesy of Llann Wé² on Wikimedia Commons, and is under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
Parashat: Sh’lach Numbers 13:1–15:41 “Caleb hushed the people before Moses and said, ‘Let us by all means go up, and we shall gain possession of it, for we shall surely overcome it.’” — Numbers 13:30 In the face of those who said the task was too challenging, Caleb, one of the spies sent to scout Continue Reading »
