Mattot/Mas’ei 5782 Num. 30:2 – 36:13 Rabbi Gary Pokras As we approach the end of the book of Numbers, the entire community of Israel is encamped on the east bank of the Jordan river – directly across from the Promised Land. They have wandered for nearly forty years through the Wilderness, and they have […]
Tikkun Olam Monthly Newsletter Archive Please enjoy reading our most recent newsletters to learn more about the many ways TBA is repairing the world and how you can be involved through our Tikkun Olam Committee: September 2022 newsletter July/August 2022 newsletter June 2022 newsletter May 2022 newsletter April 2022 newsletter
Pinchas 5782 Num. 25:10 – 30:1 Rabbi Gary Pokras Miriam had died. So had Aaron. This week, God reminds Moses that his time, as well, is limited. Moses, the consummate leader, responds to God: “May the Lord, God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint someone over this community to go out and come […]
Balak 5872 Num. 22:2 – 25:9 Rabbi Jack Luxemburg This Torah portion is full of surprises. It is named for a pagan king, Balak, who ruled over Moab, a territory that is now part of modern-day Jordan. It introduces us to a complicated character, Balam, a soothsayer, and magician who is hired by Balak to […]
Chukkat 5782 Num. 19:1 – 22:1 Rabbi Gary Pokras (originally published in 2017) What does it mean to bring water from the rock? Miriam has just died. Moses and Aaron are mourning. The Israelites are clamoring, yet again, against Moses. This time, they are demanding water because Miriam had been the water diviner for the […]
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Korach 5782 Numbers 16:1 – 18:32 Rabbi Jack Luxemburg Perhaps the most dramatic political crisis recounted in the Torah has something important to teach us about our own contentious time. In Parshat Korach, we learn about an attempted coup against the leadership of Moses and Aaron. It is led by one of their own kinsmen, […]
Yom HaShoah Deut. 4:30-40 Rabbi Gary Pokras Yom HaZikaron laShoah v’laG’vurah (Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day) is one of only a few modern Jewish observances established by the State of Israel. As a day of mourning, it is a fast day marked by public memorial ceremonies that include candle lighting, psalms, songs, poetry, mourning prayers, […]
Acharei Mot 1 Lev. 16:1-34 Rabbi Baht Weiss Acahrei Mot literally means, “after the death.” The parsha begins with God speaking to Moses “acharei mot shnei bnai Aharon” after the death of Aaron’s two children, who were named Nadav and Abihu, who died in the previous Torah portion. Our text tells us that they […]
Pesach Day 7 Ex. 13:17 – 15:26; Num. 28:19-25 Rabbi Gary Pokras We did it! We left Egypt! Now what? As our celebration of Pesach concludes, the Torah narrative shifts from the moments of the actual Exodus from Egypt to what comes next: “And it happened when Pharoah sent the people off that God did […]
