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Monthly Archives: July 2022
Mattot-Masei (Numbers 30:2 – 36:13)
With this double portion, we end the Book of Numbers, and the Israelites effectively end their 40-year journey. Mattot-Masei reminds me of books like David Copperfield, where every single loose end concerning every single character, even as minor a one … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Baal Peor, cities of refuge, daughters of Zelophehad, Elizabeth Packard, Gad, haftarot of rebuke, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Kate Moore, legal system, Levitical cities, Manasseh, Midianites, numbers, Pinchas, Rabbi Ethan Witkovsky, Reuben, The Woman They Could Not Silence, travelogue, vows and oaths
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Pinchas (Numbers 25:10 -30:1)
(Comments are from 2015 and 2014, edited) This week’s Torah portion, Pinchas, contains the aftermath of the story at the end of last week’s portion, which I deliberately left out; another census; a legal decision concerning when women can inherit; a … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged broken vav, census, covenant of peace, Cozbi, daughters of Zelophehad, haftarot of consolation, haftarot of rebuke, hereditary priesthood, inheritance, Jeremiah, Jewish holidays, Joshua, numbers, Phineas, Pinchas, Rabbi Brad Hirschfeld, sacrifices, succession, vigilante, zealotry, Zimri
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Balak (Numbers 22:2 – 25:9)
What is this? A Torah portion that is not only named after a non-Israelite (there are a few others, their identity being left to the reader), but one in which the Israelites don’t actually participate until the last nine verses? … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Ba'al Peor, Balaam, Balak, Bil'am, blessing, curse, Mah Tovu, Midian, Moab, numbers, perspective, Pinchas, talking donkey
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Chukkat (Numbers 19:1 – 22:1)
(Comments mainly from 2011) Chukkat is usually read as part of a double portion, Chukkat-Balak. It opens with the ritual of the red heifer, in which a completely redhaired, unblemished cow that has not yet been put to the yoke … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged battles, Chukkat, complaining, death of Aaron, death of Miriam, Miriam's well, Moses' punishment, Numbers 20, Og, Ohr HaChaim, Rashi, red heifer, Sihon, striking the rock, water
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Korach (Numbers 16:1 – 18:32)
Who decides what authority is legitimate? What happens when legitimate authority is not accepted? I have written here about my ongoing complicated relationship with authority. My parents were authority figures both because they were my parents and because of their … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Aaron, Abiram, authority, blossoming staff, Dathan, earth opens up, Fourth of July, king, Korach, Levites, miracles, Moses, Nehama Leibowitz, numbers, peaceful transition of power, rebellion, Reuben, Samuel, Saul, United States, Whiskey Rebellion
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Torah Portion Humor Weekly 