Why the Donkey Spoke – Parashas Balak
Just recently (Parshas Korach) we beheld a poignant example of the care and concern Hashem extends to all of His creatures, including abject resha’im (wicked ones). As highlighted in Mishnas Chayim, it was for this reason that Elazar was instructed to gather the used fire pans of the burned members of Korach’s company. Why wasn’t this task charged to Aharon himself? After all, he was the protagonist, the very target [...]
A Burning Issue
By Margie Pensak As the West Coast director of The National Association of Chevra Kadisha (NASCK), headed by Rabbi Elchonon Zohn, Robin Meyerson has no shortage of sagas to share about educating the unaffiliated regarding the importance of kevurah k’halachah. Her volunteer position includes training hospice workers under the auspices of her Rav, Rabbi Ariel Shoshan, and Rabbi Yehoshua Fromowitz of Ahavas Torah: The Scottsdale Torah Center, and [...]
The Fire Factor – Parashas Chukas
This week’s parshah recounts the episode of the “nechash hanechoshes,” the copper snake erected by Moshe. As a reaction to their unwarranted complaining, Hashem dispatched a horde of “nechashim haserafim,” fiery serpents, which terrorized the nation. They appealed in desperation to Moshe, who turned to Hashem for guidance. Hashem then issued these instructions: עֲשֵֹה לְךָ שָֹרָף וְשִֹים אֹתוֹ עַל־נֵס וְהָיָה כָּל־הַנָּשׁוּךְ וְרָאָה אֹתוֹ וָחָי – “Make for you (an image of) a [...]
The Extent of Sensitivity – Parashas Korach
(The following is based in large part on a passage from the sefer K’motzei Shallal Rav, Bamidbar 17:2.) It was the aftermath of the tragic spectacle. Korach had led a band that rebelled against the authority of Moshe and challenged the role of his brother Aharon, who officiated as the High Priest. The matter was put to a test, as a group of 250 of Korach’s followers were [...]
