Parshah Columnists

If G‑d plants someone in your circle of influence who needs you, be there for them—even if it’s not your thing.

Sometimes the term “clouds of glory” is used, while at other times it simply refers to “clouds.” Why is this?

The people of Israel were dying of dehydration. But where would they find water in the barren and arid desert?

Miriam’s self-sacrifice and determination serve as an ever-present inspiration.

Learn about the mysterious red heifer, which left even King Solomon, the wisest of all men, scratching his head in wonderment.

Moses striking the rock is among the most famous and enigmatic stories in the Torah.

Purity is not achieved by suppressing or waging war against desire.

A life sentence for jaywalking? Twenty years for chewing gum in public? Singapore notwithstanding, surely that's over the top! Well, was it so different for Moses, who is punished and denied entrance to the Promised Land for the seemingly minor infraction of hitting a rock instead of speaking to it?

Rational decisions are based on outcomes, but having children is “an epistemically transformative experience.”

One day, Sara tried a different approach. "Honey," she said to her husband. "I know you this isn't the way you see it. But please, do it just for me!"

Life and light are often paired together. We seek life, and we seek light. Yet sometimes we seem to hit a patch of darkness. What happens then?

The Sages tell us that Aaron devoted himself to carrying out the command "love your fellow" to the highest degree. The Midrash relates how he attracted people to the teachings of the Torah...

If striking the rock was so awful, why was it okay so many years earlier? Why didn't Moses follow G-d's simple instructions? Why did this seemingly minor offense have such severe consequences?

Kvetching is the first step out of slavery and a way of ensuring that we don’t enter a soul-destroying slave mentality.

When he was being led, manacled, out of his home, the final words he addressed to his children were, “Dear children, dedicate your lives to that for which I am being arrested.”

You've lost it! Goodbye "Great communicator"; Let's welcome "King of the household, rigid ruler of the little people..."

By the end of the day I've got nothing to show for all my reformist zeal. I'm probably better off going back to my old ways. Or am I? I'll wake up early and decide, first thing tomorrow morning.

Before any of the deaths are mentioned we read about the strange ritual of the red heifer, which purified people who had been in contact with death – the archetypal source of impurity. That ritual, often deemed incomprehensible, is in fact deeply symbolic.

Miriam was no ordinary sibling. Moses owed her his entire relationship with his natural family, as well as his identity as one of the children of Israel.