A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY This week we begin to wind down the final portions of the original Four Books of the Torah (the Fifth takes on a different tone as it reiterates much of the previous four and is written in first person by Moses). It includes several episodes – primarily starring Pinchas, the Parsha’s namesake –… Read More

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY We read a very interesting episode in this week’s Torah portion (Parshat Balak) regarding Balak, a king who feared the Jewish people and therefore hired Bala’am, a prophet, to curse them. Bala’am was unable to do so because, in keeping with the rules of prophecy, he opened his mouth and was only able… Read More

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY In this week’s Torah portion, Parshas Chukas, we learn about the Red Heifer, the elusive “Red Cow,” which, without getting into too many details, has the ability through its slaughter to purify the otherwise ritually impure. It is fitting that this law take place in this Parsha; the name “Chukas” refers to the… Read More

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY This week’s Parsha, Korach, discusses a rebellion against Moses by—you may have guessed it—Korach. Korach had many followers in his day who questioned the legitimacy of Moses’s leadership, particularly the perceived nepotism of his appointment of his brother Aaron to the high-priesthood. Famously, they faced off against each other as any great leaders… Read More

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY This week’s Parsha, Shelach, contains a serious deviation from the “intended” script. Moses sends spies to scout out the Land of Israel before entering; the spies returned – except two, Joshua and Caleb – with an account of how difficult the land will be to conquer. The spies recount how there are giants,… Read More