Parshat Ma’asei

The most prominent theme (in my humble opinion) is the list of places visited by Israel as they traveled through the desert.

The Kabbalah teaches that the 42 journeys listed correspond to the journeys of the soul through this world. From when it leaves the womb (Egypt) until it enters the supernal & eternal life (Israel).

The Parshah then mentions the borders of the land given to the Jews (seems like its replaying right now in New Paltz).

Then the concept of the "Cities of Refuge" – a concept not really copied by other philosophies and/or nations.

The concept is that if someone killed someone else by accident. Even though there is no punishment. The person still needs to move to one of these cities until the end of an era – defined as when the Kohen Gadol passes away

Parshat Matos

The week of the jet. (silly pun)

• The importance the Torah places on what we say. What a difference words really make.
  As we know Lieberman would have been our vice president "Bli Nader".
  
• The woman's responsibility to the family. Her personal needs become the concern of the family.
  
• Moses' determination and enthusiasm in winning the last wars even though it meant an end to his life.
  
• The duty of those living outside of Israel to support those in Israel.
  

  
   

Once again. The purpose of this post (and really the entire blog) is not for me to share wisdom. The proceeding four lines do not say anything revolutionary and depending on perspective may not even have anything to do with this parshah. BUT it is a place for US to post comments and start a discussion.

Raphael Zalmen – If you can not see this please send me an email.

Parshat Pinchas

Numbers 25:10-30:1

Pinchas is made a "Priest". This is the only time that priesthood is given by virtue. For the rest of history it seems to be arbitrarily bestowed upon a "class" of people by birthright. Maybe we can hear what it means to be a priest, and while we're at it - how are we all "a kingdom of priests"? What was Pinchas' status before he was "upgraded"?

Then comes the division of the land. Once again, something given as an eternal birthright to every generation of a particular family, totally unrelated to a persons merit.

What is the historical context and ramifications of women (the daughters of Tzelafchad) being able to inherit the land? And why did it take a grass roots movement to be able to make it possible?

And finally we have an example where "class" doesn't seem to help. Instead of Moshe's sons taking him over, he taps Yehoshua to succeed him. Yehoshua is not his greatest student or even noted as a scholar. He is Moshe's "Shamash", but he is the one who is going to lead the Jews into Israel.

Last but not least we have the special animal sacrifices for the special times of the year.

 
 

Please post your comments about these things or ANYTHING else in this weeks parsha.

Parshah Balak

Of course there is Ron's (or Balam's) talking ass, and we have no idea how it learned Hebrew.

But this year lets try to think about what else there is.

1. G-D Talking to non-Jews.
   
2. G-D changing his/her mind.
   
3. Do animals see and hear things that we can not.
   

Please post your comments about these things or ANYTHING else in this weeks parsha.

We Are Starting Again

Every Wednesday night throughout the summer, starting July 9^th.

This year we are doing it in the Chabad House at 8:00pm