by Rabbi Pesach Wolicki | f 28, 2023 | Uncategorized
One of the most common phrases used to describe the People of Israel is “The Chosen People.” We find the first mention of this idea in this week’s Torah portion. The term “chosen” was not used for the people of Israel until this point. Because he...
by Rabbi Pesach Wolicki | f 20, 2023 | Uncategorized
This week, we begin the book of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy is made up of a series of speeches that Moses delivered in the final five weeks of his life. In the opening speech, Moses retold the story of the sin of the spies. As we recall from Numbers 13 and 14, the spies...
by Rabbi Pesach Wolicki | f 13, 2023 | Uncategorized
“God spoke to Moses saying, ‘Take vengeance for the Children of Israel against the Midianites; afterward you will be gathered unto your people.’ Moses spoke to the people saying, ‘Arm men from among yourselves for the legion that they may be against Midian to inflict...
by Rabbi Pesach Wolicki | f 6, 2023 | Uncategorized
This week’s Torah portion opens with the reward of Phineas by God for killing Zimri ben Salu, leader of a family from the tribe of Simeon, and Kozbi bat Zur, a woman from a noble Midianite family. Zimri and Kozbi were publicly fornicating while participating in a...
by Rabbi Pesach Wolicki | f 29, 2023 | Uncategorized
In this week’s Torah portion, we read the story of Balaam, who was hired by the Moabite king Balak to curse Israel. God initially told Balaam that he must not go with the men to curse Israel. Later God told Balaam to go with Balak’s men and to say whatever He will...
