Search Results for: Parsha

Parsha Va’etchanan — Consolation After Expulsion, After the Cruelty, Disdain of Israel’s Leaders?

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by, Moshe Burt

The Haftorah for our Parsha begins, “Nachamu, Nachamu Ami yomar Elokeichem” — “Comfort, comfort my people — says your G’d.” (Yishaiya, 40:1) This sentiment seems to be silent, but yet a theme of Parsha Va’etchanan.

In the beginning of Parsha, Moshe Rabbeinu recalls for the B’nai Yisrael how he entreated Hashem for permission to cross the Jordan River but that his request was denied. Instead, he was consoled by viewing the Land from Mount Pisgah. (L’lmod Ul’Lamed – Parsha Va’etchanan, page 161) read more

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Parsha Matos/Masei 5767: Remaining “in peace” During a War of Survival (Revisited)

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By, Moshe Burt

In Parsha Matos, Sh’vatim Gad and Reuven approached Moshe Rabbeinu regarding their desire to graze their flocks and settle their families on the East side of the Yarden. To this, Moshe Rabbeinu replied, “Shall your brothers go off to war, and shall you sit here?” (Sefer Bamidbar, Perek 32, posuk 6)

Moshe was quite angry at the two Sh’vatim. He was concerned lest Gad and Reuven would avoid taking part in the wars for Eretz Yisrael, that other Sh’vatim might follow suit and B’nai Yisrael might be condemned to wandering in the desert another 40 years. read more

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Parsha Pinchas 5767: On Zealousness, Or Courage: Then and Now

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By Moshe Burt

We learn about the root for the momentus event of Pinchas’ zealous act against Zimri and Kosbi from an obscure posuk in Parsha Ki Tisa. “Vet Aaron v’et banav timshach v’kiddashtah otam l’Cohen Li” — Hashem tells Moshe Rabbeinu; “You shall annoint Aaron and his sons and sanctify them as priests unto me.” And we ask, What happened to that Pinchas ben Elazar ben Aaron Ha Kohen.

We actually learn about Pinchas and his zealousness on behalf of Shemayim near the end of last week’s Parsha Balak. read more

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Parsha Balak 5767: Bila’am, The Ba’al Peor and Dividing B’nai Yisrael From Within

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by Moshe Burt

Shem Mishmuel brings a Rashi which discusses the unusual loshen — regalim (the word usually used to denote festivals) used in our Parsha Balak where Hashem brings the donkey to speak to Bila’am expressing; “What have I done to you, that you hit me these three times.” [1]

Shem Mishmuel brings Rashi quoting Chazal which notes: “These three times — it was a hint that he [Bila’am] wanted to uproot the Jewish nation, who celebrate three pilgrim festivals each year.” [2] read more

Parsha Chukas 5767: Tefillot for Tikkun of Chait, Unity and Rachel Imeinu – Revisited

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By Moshe Burt

The placement in Torah of our Parsha Chukat and the Parah Adumah raises questions as to why the Parah Adumah and it’s Halachot are mentioned here in our Parsha; only after Korach’s rebellion and after the continued murmuring of the Am against Moshe Rabbeinu, and after the plague which killed thousands only ending with Aaron’s carrying an incense pan amongst the people (upon Moshe’s instruction), and after the story of the rods.

Previously, on Korach’s rebellion, there is a thought from R’ Simcha Bunim of P’shischa; “Now took Korach…”; that Korach was blessed with many positive attributes: fine lineage, wealth (albeit ill-gotten and questionable), wisdom, and thus he might have been worthy of being a leader of B’nai Yisrael. “‘Now took Korach — he took himself.’ He did not wait until he was offered the leadership, but he sought to take it by force. That is why he is not worthy of it.”[1] It seems that Korach used the above attributes for Ra, attempting to deceive the people and to seize power and influence from Moshe Rabbeinu and Aaron HaKohen. Perhaps the history of contemporary political leadership parallels the worst of Korach, but without any valid rationale? read more

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Parsha Korach 5767: Leadership; National Responsibility vs the Euphemisms of Self-Interest

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by Moshe Burt

This Parsha HaShevua may seem to the reader a continuation of Parsha Shelach. This is done by intention because it seems very much as if Korach and his attempted power grab are a logical aftermath of the denial of Eetz Yisrael by 10 of the 12 miraglim (spies).

The Sefer “Torah Gems” by Aharon Yaakov Greenberg states the following thought; “Now took Korach…”; that Korach was blessed with many positive attributes: fine lineage, wisdom, qualities worthy of a leader of B’nai Yisrael. “‘Now took Korach — he took himself.’ He did not wait until he was offered the leadership, but he sought to take it by force. That is why he is not worthy of it.” (Torah Gems, by Aharon Yaakov Greenberg, Parsha Korach, Volume 3, page 79.) read more

Parsha Shelach and Political Abrogation of Mutual Responsibility — One for His Brother

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Echoes of Joshua’s Spies, by Israel Harel (Haaretz)

“The government did not assert, as it should have, the national rights of the Jewish people over its liberated homeland. It did not even treat them in this way, as it should have from a historical perspective. ‘Bargaining chips,’ it called them.”

“By relying on this status, relating to areas of the homeland as bargaining chips, for 40 years most of our troubles and evils have come to us: the Yom Kippur War, the intifada, the terror war of September 2000, the deep rift among the people and the distancing of most of the world from identifying with Israel.” read more

Parsha Shelach 5767: Moshe’s Blessing to Yehoshua — Paradigm of a Real Jewish Leader

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By Moshe Burt

Prior to the Miraglim setting out on their mission to Eretz Yisrael, Moshe Rabbeinu prayed for Hoshea, that he should gain the strength, conviction and principle to stand against the false testimony of the other spies and to eventually lead B’nei Yisrael. Moshe blessed him before the mission and changed his name to Yehoshua which conveys the above attributes.

This prayer and blessing of Moshe Rabbeinu to Yehoshua begs the definition of the qualities which make a Real Jewish Leader. read more

Parsha Beha’aloscha 5767 — Hachnasat Sefer Torah in Yishuv Adura and HaKaras HaTov

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by, Moshe Burt

Our Parsha speaks about the reasons for the separate section delineated by the inverted “nuns” — “When the Aron (the Ark) would journey, Moshe said, ‘Arise Hashem, and let your foes be scattered, let those who hate you flee from before you.’ And when it rested, he would say, ‘Reside tranquilly, O, Hashem, among the myriad thousands of Israel.'” (Sefer Bamidbar, Perek 10, posukim 35-36)

Preceding these posukim are the posukim which speak about the journey of the Aron and of B’nai Yisrael from Har Sinai to their next resting place, “…a three day distance…” (Sefer Bamidbar, Perek 10, posukim 33 & 34). read more

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Shavu’ot/Parsha Naso – Loving and Caring for the Ger Tzeddik, Paradigm of Loving Our Fellow Jew

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By Moshe Burt

With Shavuot always being during the week of Shabbos Parsha Naso, there are various common threads between Shabbos Parsha Naso Chag HaShavuos. One such thread is the importance of caring for the Ger Tzeddik.

Near the beginning of Parsha Naso, Hashem speaks to Moshe telling him to speak to the B’nai Yisrael as follows; “… A man or woman who commits any of man’s sins, by committing treachery toward Hashem.” (Sefer Bamidbar, Perek 5, posuk 6) Rav Zelig Pliskin, in his sefer “Growth Through Torah,” attributes to Sforno comments to the effect that “… this refers to one who steals from a convert to Judaism.” read more

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