Pinchas Num. 25:10 – 30:1  By: Rabbi Baht Weiss Hidden away in this week’s Torah portion, Pinchas, is the story of five remarkable women-Machlah, Noa, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah—better known as the Daughters of Zelophehad. In a patriarchal society in which land was passed down from man to man, these women find themselves in a […]

Chukkat/Balak Num. 19:1 – 22:1/Num. 22:2 – 25:9 Rabbi Gary Pokras If animals could talk, what would they say? In this week’s double parasha, the pagan prophet Balaam finds out. As the Israelites made their way closer to the Promised Land, they asked for passage through the territory of a king named Balak. The king, […]

Korach Num 16:1 – 18:32   Rabbi Baht Weiss There is nothing more dangerous to a society or an organization than a rebellion.  In this week’s parsha, a man named Korach (along with two hundred and fifty men) rose up against Moses and Aaron and said to them:  “You have gone too far! For all the […]

Shelach L’cha Num 13:1 – 15:41  Rabbi Gary Pokras  Israelis are not known as the most patient people in the world. When I lived in Israel in the 90s there were no lines at the bus stop to get on the bus. As the driver opened the door, everyone dove in, and the winner was […]

BeHa’alotecha Num. 8:1 – 12:16  Rabbi Baht Yameem Weiss  In her book, “Leadership in the Wilderness,” Dr. Erica brown writes, “the role of preparation and organization in facing uncertainty cannot be underestimated.”  We look to our leaders to guide us in moments of change.  Leaders can also become the recipients of blame if anything goes […]

Naso  Num. 4:21 – 7:89  Rabbi Gary Pokras  I’m not sure when, exactly, we turned a cultural corner in contemporary secular culture, but at some point “doubling-down” on questionable behavior or decisions became seen as a sign of strength while honestly questioning ourselves on what we have done or said became a sign of weakness. […]