Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Matot-Masei (Numbers 30:2- 36:13) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “This is the matter that the LORD has commanded concerning the daughters of Tzelofhad, saying: Let them be married to whom they think best… Just as the LORD commanded Moses, so did the daughters of Zelophehad” (Numbers 36:6,10). What can we …
Victory by Force of Arms vs. a Victory of the Spirit Rabbi Dr. Michael Ben Admon is the Director of the Maarava Program for Rabbinical Emissaries to Sephardic Communities A quick peek into human history suffices to show that human beings are unable to conduct their lives without engaging in war. Conflicts come about for a …
Parshat Matot: On Militarism and Pacifism A Zionist dispute between Yitzhak Tabenkin and Moshe Unna encourages us to shatter social norms and allows for a more sophisticated way of thinking about the status of war and the need for war nowadays. Rabbi Dr. Michael Ben Admon is the Director of the Maarava Program for Rabbinical …
Shabbat Shalom: Matot-Masei (Numbers 30:2-36:13) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – What unites Jews throughout the world as one nation and one people? What is the most critical factor responsible for our amazing persistence as a unique historical entity, despite our having been scattered throughout the globe and subject to persecution and pogrom, despite …
This week’s parsha commentary has been sponsoredby the Charif family of Sydney, Australia in memory of Hymie Charif (Refael Chaim Yishayahu ben Yitzchak) whose 23rd Yartzheit is on 2 Av Shabbat Shalom: Matot-Masei (Numbers 30:2-36:13) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel: “This is the thing [or word] which God has commanded.” (Numbers 30:2) How was …
Parshat Matot-Masei (Numbers 30:2-36:13) Rabbi David Stav As we conclude the Book of Numbers, we read for the first time of any part of our people expressing a desire to take leave of the other tribes. We have already read about how the nation sinned, complained, and disagreed with each other – but this is a …
Parshat Matot-Masei (Numbers 30:2–36:13) Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – This week’s double portion records how the Jews finally cross the Jordan River on their way to conquer the Promised Land. The tribes of Gad, Reuven and half the tribe of Menashe possess a great multitude of cattle, and “paradise” for cattle is good grazing …