Parashat Korah: ‘An elevated place in Gehenna’
What is repentance? It is a small, good thought filled with love – the kind of thought that saved the sons of Korah from a tragic fate; a moment of introspection that can save any Jew from harm.
Parashat Shelach: Believe in yourselves
The Torah recounts the argument that erupted between the 10 pessimistic spies and Joshua and Caleb, the two optimistic ones.
Parashat Beha’alotcha: Yes to speaking up, no to hurting!
Speak up! Share your opinion! Try to bring about change – but not through gossip and not with hurtful words.
Parshat Naso: Rich people’s problems
When you live a life filled with meaning, spiritual fulfillment ... you receive a remarkable gift: a profound inner peace and emotional serenity that no material wealth can offer.
Parashat Bamidbar: ‘Each man by his banner’
The many hardships endured by the Israelites during their desert journey could have been greatly reduced had the nation learned to appreciate what they had.
Parashat Behar-Bechukotai: Live and let live
The only halachic ruling that was ever given is that “your life comes first” – and nothing beyond that.
Parashat Emor: ‘Guest mode’
'This world is not mine. It existed before me and will continue after me...I have entered, as a guest, into a perfect system run by God.'
Parashat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim: ‘Holiness,’ ‘abstinence,’ and what lies between
Don’t aim for lofty, angelic separation “like Mine” but live a human holiness – the kind of life for which I created the world.
Parashat Tazria-Metzora: Skin afflictions as a warning sign
Just as a bad word can destroy, a good word can build – and that, after all, is the purpose of creation: “The world will be built with kindness.”
Parashat Shemini: Food of truth
Our portion lists four animals that lack one of the two signs of purity. The midrash associates these four animals with the four exiles the Jewish people have experienced over the generations.
