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Collateral For Atonement Numbers 19:1-22:1 An entire chapter of Parashat Chukat is concerned with the ashes of the Red Heifer. As we have seen in previous volumes of the 5 Minute Torah, the Torah’s instructions about the ashes of the Red Heifer provide more questions than answers. First, this entire ritual seems illogical. Why in the world would the ashes of a cow be used for purification? Second, the process is counter-intuitive. Why do the ashes of the Red Heifer make a ritually unclean person clean and a ritually clean person unclean? But in our present commentary, we want to ask another question. Why are the laws of the Red Heifer immediately followed by the news of Miriam’s death? read more »	Korach \| Between The Dead & The Living Korach (Numbers 16:1-18:32) A cursory reading of Parashat Korach suggests that the main topic of this portion is insurrection. Not only does Korach, Datan, and Aviram rise up against Moses and Aaron, but when the LORD punishes the rebels it seems that the entire Israelite nation decides to turn against them in response. They say, “You have killed the people of the LORD!” (Numbers 17:6 [16:41]). They blame Moses and Aaron for the LORD’s punishment against Korach. This indignation against Moses and Aaron incites the wrath of God against the Children of Israel and a plague breaks out among them. However, Moses and Aaron don’t take pleasure in the punishment of the wicked. Their compassion for the flock under their care drove them to make intercession on behalf of the Israelites. Moses told Aaron: read more »
Guilty Of One, Guilty Of All Shelach (Numbers 13:1-15:41) read more »	A Needle in a Haystack (Beha'alotcha) Beha’alotcha (Numbers 8:1-12:15) Our portion begins by describing several events regarding the inauguration of the Levites, the laws of Pesach Sheini (the Second Passover), how the physical manifestation of the cloud by day and fire by night guided the Israelites in their journeys, the instructions regarding the silver trumpets, and the departure of Jethro. From there we hear how the Children of Israel begin to complain to the point of even looking back at Egypt with nostalgia. Their grumblings and ungrateful attitudes invoke anger from their Redeemer, causing the death of many through a plague that struck while they gorged themselves on the meat of quails. read more »
Is Tithing Biblical? Nasso - Numbers 4:21-7:89 Tithing is a favorite subject for many people and a popular topic that makes its way into the pulpits of many churches. Often, Malachi 3:10 is used to challenge parishioners to financially support the local church: “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” Unfortunately, this passage is 1) often used as a form of abuse and control, and 2) not truly applicable outside of Israel when the Holy Temple is no longer standing. How does this connect with this week’s Torah portion? We will get to that shortly, but let’s begin by discussing the biblical definition of the tithe. read more »	The Power of Blessing Parashat Nasso - Numbers 4:21 - 7:89 In this week’s parashah, we continue learning about the responsibilities of the Levitical tribes to transport the Tabernacle and its components. In the previous portion we learned about the responsibilities of the Kohathite family, and in our current portion we learn about the responsibilities of the tribes of Gershon and Merari. However, the Torah then transitions into the test for the sotah, the wayward wife, and the laws of the Nazarite. Our parashah concludes by recounting the various offerings brought by the tribal heads for the inauguration service of the Tabernacle. The topic we are going to explore now, however, is six short verses wedged in between the laws of the Nazarite and the dedication offerings. Numbers 6:22–27 records for us what is commonly called the Birchat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing, also known as the Aaronic Benediction: read more »

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