5101 US-42 • LOUISVILLE, KY 40241 • (502) 423-1818

Balak (Numbers 22:2−25:9)

/in

This Week’s Torah Portion: Balak – בָּלָק (Numbers 22:2−25:9)

“God has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
   And what does Adonai require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
   and to walk humbly with your God”.

Micah 6:8 is part of the Haftara to our portion, it is also the moto of the tapestry outside our Chapel, dedicated to our beloved Rabbi Diamond (celebrating his 85 birthday this week) and in many ways it is the Judaism that Rabbi Diamond walked and practiced all his life!

Parsha Balak Torah Summary:

Balak, the king of Moab, persuades the prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites so that he can defeat them and drive them out of the region. However, Balaam blesses the Children of Israel instead and prophesies that Israel’s enemies will be defeated. (22:2-24:25) God punishes the Israelites with a plague for consorting with the Moabite women and their god. The plague is stayed after Pinchas kills an Israelite man and his Midianite woman. (25:1-9) Balak “God has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does Adonai require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”. Micah 6:8 is part of the Haftara to our portion, it is also the moto of the tapestry outside our Chapel, dedicated to our beloved Rabbi Diamond (celebrating his 85 birthday this week) and in many ways it is the Judaism that Rabbi Diamond walked and practiced all his life! Balak

Chukat (Numbers 19:1−22:1)

/in

This Week’s Torah Portion: Chukat – חֻקַּת (Numbers 19:1−22:1)

“This is the law of the Torah that Adonai has commanded….” (Number 19:2)

We expect a true revelation to follow such an introduction, The Law of The Torah should be the highlight of the most sacred book of all, the Law coming from Adonai our God should be a moral uplifting moment of sacredness.

 And the Law of the Torah is about the red Heifer. Something that makes no sense, something that Rashi the great commentary to the Torah is afraid that will cause ridicule.

Not everything in the Torah actually makes sense, a big chunk of the Torah makes no sense, and there is no point in trying to find logic in it.

Parsha Chukat Torah Summary:

The laws of the red heifer to purify a person who has had contact with a corpse are given. (19:1-22) The people arrive at the wilderness of Zin. Miriam dies and is buried there. (20:1) The people complain that they have no water. Moses strikes the rock to get water for them. God tells Moses and Aaron they will not enter the Land of Israel. (20:2-13) The king of Edom refuses to let the Children of Israel pass through his land. After Aaron’s priestly garments are given to his son Eleazer, Aaron dies. (20:14-29) After they are punished for complaining about the lack of bread and water, the Israelites repent and are victorious in battle against the Amorites and the people of Bashan, whose lands they capture. (21:4-22:1) Chukat

Korach (Numbers 16:1−18:32)

/in

This Week’s Torah Portion: Korach – קֹרַח (Numbers 16:1−18:32)

Korach, one of the great villains of the Torah, has a theological claim, “For all the community are holy, all of them, and Adonai is in their midst”.

We are all Holy people, says Korach to Moses. God choose all of the people of Israel, all are Holy and should be regarded as Holy.

The end is that Adonai our God, kills Korach for that claim, why?

We are not Holy, the Torah asks us to try and become Holy. “You shall be Holy,” meaning to live a worthy life,  trying to do good.

If you think you are there, you failed; we always are on the journey trying to be what we ought to be.

Parsha Korach Torah Summary:

Korach and his followers, Dathan and Abiram, lead a rebellion against the leadership of Moses and Aaron. God punishes the rebels by burying them and their families alive. Once again, God brings a plague on the people. (16:1-17:15) The chief of each tribe deposits his staff inside the Tent of Meeting. Aaron’s staff brings forth sprouts, produces blossoms, and bears almonds. (17:16-26) The Kohanim and Levites are established and assigned the responsibility of managing the donations to the Sanctuary. All of the firstborn offerings shall go to the priests and all the tithes are designated for the Levites in return for the services they perform. (18:1-32) Korach Korach, one of the great villains of the Torah, has a theological claim, “For all the community are holy, all of them, and Adonai is in their midst”. We are all Holy people, says Korach to Moses. God choose all of the people of Israel, all are Holy and should be regarded as Holy. The end is that Adonai our God, kills Korach for that claim, why? We are not Holy, the Torah asks us to try and become Holy. “You shall be Holy,” meaning to live a worthy life, trying to do good. If you think you are there, you failed; we always are on the journey trying to be what we ought to be.

Sh’lach L’cha (Numbers 13:1−15:41)

/in

This Week’s Torah Portion: Sh’lach L’cha – שְׁלַח-לְךָ (Numbers 13:1−15:41)

“…we saw the Nephilim there—the Giants …and we looked like grasshoppers to ourselves, and so we must have looked to them.” (Numbers 13:33).

How we project ourselves can become how others see us. May we always be able to see the goodness in ourselves, and project it to others. May we never see ourselves as grasshoppers.

Parsha Sh’lach L’cha Torah Summary:

Moses sends twelve spies to the Land of Israel to report on the inhabitants and the country. Despite the positive report of Joshua and Caleb, the people are frightened. (13:1–14:10) God threatens to wipe out the Children of Israel but relents when Moses intercedes on their behalf. To punish the people, God announces that all those who left Egypt would not enter the Land of Israel except for Joshua and Caleb. (14:11–45) Moses instructs the Israelites regarding setting aside challah, the observance of the Sabbath, how to treat strangers, and the laws of tzitzit. (15:1–41) Sh’lach L’cha “…we saw the Nephilim there—the Giants …and we looked like grasshoppers to ourselves, and so we must have looked to them.” (Numbers 13:33). How we project ourselves can become how others see us. May we always be able to see the goodness in ourselves, and project it to others. May we never see ourselves as grasshoppers.