Articles with the tag: massei

Two Delicacies

Laws of vows said to tribal leaders. Why?
Ultimately everyone included.

“You shall be innocent…” ... Before Hashem and all Israel.
Difference between Chashad (suspicion) Maris Ayin ( ppearances).

Everyone is obligated.
Rights vs. responsibilities.

Judaism (like America) creates a mentality and outlook.

Hillel vs. Shannai : To be or not to be?

Rebbes’ view of man/ Which man?

Jacob vs. Esaiv : Do we have a choice?
Were they not fighting already in the womb over which world to inherit?

“Prepare for me delicacies such as I Love”

You Pick: Professor, Grandfather, or Rashi (35:33)

I’m going to go out on a limb here. Pofessor Yeshayahu Leibowitz (1903-1994) is without a doubt my superior in both knowledge and education.  For many years he held the posts of professor of organic chemistry, biology and neuro-psychology in the medical school of Hebrew University. He also served as a professor of Jewish studies at Haifa University, and professor of philosophy at Hebrew University. Author of many books (some of them in my personal library) and editor-in-chief of the Encyclopedia Hebraica, he certainly does not need my approbation. Notwithstanding all of the above, I must take issue with the learned professor who points out the similarity between a verse in this week’s Biblical reading (Massei) and its accompanying Haftorah…

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A Kinder, Gentler Killer (35:25)

At first glance one imagines the Cities of Refuge to be the neighborhood equivalent of Harlem…on a bad day. After all, who lived there? Killers! True, they were accidental murderers; nonetheless they were at least guilty of negligence, poor judgment, carelessness, and probably a lackadaisical attitude towards the sanctity of life. The facts however were much different. The bulk of the population in these urban centers was a very distinguished group of people, the Levites. Their job was truly unique. In addition to teaching the masses, they played an integral role in the killer’s rehabilitation.
Even more singular were the terms of sentence imposed on those found guilty of unwitting manslaughter. Rather than being deliberated upon by expert judges who…

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Journeys From Egypt (33:1)

The Torah is commonly referred to as the Five Books of Moses.  This week, we conclude the Fourth Book of Bamidbar which details each of the 42 journeys by which the Israelites left Egypt and came to the borders of the Chosen Land.  The opening verse of this account reads, “These are the journeys by which they went forth out of the land of Egypt.”  This sentence raises a well known difficulty.  Only the first of the journeys mentioned constitutes “going out of Egypt.”  The others were all made well outside Egypt, mostly in the desert.  Why then, does the passage use the plural, “journeys”?
In truth, Egypt is not merely a geographical location, but a state of mind.  Mitzrayim,...

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