By Rabbi Moshe Hauer There is an enormous amount of debate and commentary regarding the incident recorded in our parsha that resulted in Moshe and
The story of the spies abruptly interrupted the march of Jewish history from Egypt to Eretz Yisrael. Eretz Yisrael is the land that Avraham recognized
In our parsha (8:6), Moshe is instructed to “take the Leviim (Levites)….” Rashi notes—as he does in several other places—that when the Torah speaks about
As Jews, we are often subject to attack and have had many seek to deny us the right and the ability to defend ourselves. We
The Talmud notes that there are two sections in the Torah known as tochacha, each containing a litany of dire warnings. Both are read at
Whatever the challenge or difficulty, we do so much better when we do not experience it alone. As Rashi in this week’s parsha makes clear:
While in other faiths the men of the cloth preside over death and dying by administering last rites, the priestly class of Klal Yisrael—the Kohanim—were
We must build our own society with its own value system. “Speak to the children of Israel and say to them: ‘I am Hashem, your
Weekly Torah Insights: OU Executive Vice President Rabbi Moshe Hauer on Shabbos Hagadol—G-d’s Protection, Our Responsibility. Protection and security are recurring themes around Pesach. The
Our parsha introduces us to the various offerings that were brought in the Temple, with extensive discussion about the korban chatas, the sin offering. These
“The foundation of true accomplishment is a clear focus on mission, on the goal and purpose towards which we point all our efforts.” While this
Anticipation, waiting, looking forward. It is a difficult task to do these patiently, remaining focused on the goal and willing to wait for it, however
