Timeless Torah

Do all parents practice psychology? Do we assume that children operate by one simple rule: external stimuli creates an appropriate response? In a nutshell, that reward and punishment are always sufficient to promote positive behavior?  read more »

Ibur (impregnation) - i.e., spiritual possession of a lower soul by a higher soul to the benefit of both of them.
Of course the continued presence of the tzadik's ibur depends upon the person's deeds.  read more »

If last week’s Torah portion has its villains, this week’s story has its hero. Pinchas, grandson of Aaron the High Priest, single-handedly turned away G-d’s wrath and stopped the plague that has already killed thousands of his fellow Jews. In reward of his supreme bravery, Pinchas was granted immunity from death. And so hundreds of years later, and who knows how many generations, our fearless champion makes his second appearance using another name. This time he’s operating under the alias Elijah the Prophet, who traditionally symbolizes the person who comes to the rescue at the last minute. According to our Sages, this character trait will figure prominently in Pinchas’ last and most important role. It is Elijah who will be the harbinger of ultimate redemption. He - and he alone - will blow the great shofar heralding the coming of Moshiach.  read more »

A zealous Pinchas swung his deadly spear, “Avenging Hashem’s vengeance.” A fascinating perspective of this unlikely hero is provided by G-d Himself, who declared, “Pinchas became enraged (when in fact) I should have been the One Who was angry!”  read more »

Our weekly Biblical tale begins....right at the end. Now why a great story that contains all the correct Hollywood ingredients like murder, mayhem, and sex, should have been broken up in two portions is a mystery. Dare we suggest that the Grand Producer of all time was perhaps looking to make a sequel?  read more »

You’re a teacher, perhaps a parent, and your pupils or children are eagerly awaiting your distribution of their rewards. Several methods of allocation are available to you; one based upon age, merit, seniority, or effort. Of course there is always the haphazard determinant of picking a number.  read more »

The daughters of Tzelafchad made history when the male-only inheritance laws were overturned. Since then however, their daughters have not made much progress. At least that’s the argument from contemporary women who do not understand the gender exclusion policies of Orthodox synagogues. How much longer, they wonder, will shuls segregate their women to the peanut gallery?  read more »

Miriam had died; so had Aaron. Now Moses himself was within sight of the angel of death. Who would be his heir? Had he given the issue of succession any thought? One clue can be found in Moses’ prayer to G-d “The time has come that I should make a request of my own, that my sons inherit my position.” G-d replied, “This is not what I have decided. Joshua deserves to receive reward for serving you and never leaving your tent.” As King Solomon said, “He that keeps the vineyard shall eat its fruit and he that waits on his master shall be honored.” (Rashi)  read more »

Without being overly graphic, I think we can all agree that it was not a pretty sight. The forever rebellious Israelites had strayed from the camp right into the arms of the Midianite girls. Pe’or, the idol of defecation was being worshipped and Zimri...well, what can I say. That certainly was the climax of the entire scandalous affair. Publicly scorning G-d and His servant Moses, he brazenly brought back one of the girls.  read more »