One of the classic debates of biblical interpretation is whether or not the Torah is written in chronological order. Many of us were raised with the…
Bamidbar: Between Yom Yerushalayim and Shavuot
We tend to associate the holiday of Shavuot with that of Pesach. One can cogently argue that Shavuot is the culmination and conclusion of Pesach. The…
Bamidbar: Laying the Foundation
Sefer Bamidbar can be viewed as a book of missed opportunities. A small group of Jewish slaves—the midrash claims no more than one in…
Bamidbar:The Challenge of Change
One of the hallmarks of a strong society is its ability to smoothly effect change. New leaders and policies, crises and confrontations are all dealt…
Bamidbar: A Heavy Price
In order to be effective, leaders must be sensitive to the feelings and concerns of the general populace. It is not only fact, but also perception…
Bamidbar: Names and Numbers
Parshat Bamidbar is, on its surface, little more that names and numbers. The bulk of the parsha lists the counting of the Jewish people,…
Bamidbar: What's in a Name?
Sefer Bamidbar opens with names and numbers, a theme that continues throughout the book; hence its name, Chumash Pekudim, the book of counting.…
Bamidbar: Natural Life
Sefer Bamidbar can be viewed as a book of missed opportunities. A small group of Jewish slaves—the midrash claims no more than one in…
Bamidbar: Blossoming Desert
The desert conjures up images of heat, hunger, thirst, wastelands and wandering, certainly not a place to stage important events. Yet it was in the…