Parshah Columnists

You see, religious life is thankfully full of high-voltage, electric moments. Such moments are indeed important, and it’s safe to say that no person, no matter how pious or devout, could survive without them. The problem is that such moments are not constant.

Although Moses is not completely reconciled to his death in the desert (as we will see later in the Parshah of Va’etchanan), he can not leave the world in peace without knowing that his people will be in good hands.

The Torah’s account of the petition presented to Moses by the daughters of Tzelafchad is relevant both to women seeking halachic support for change, and to the rabbis who are ruling on their questions.

Confronted with Phinehas' heroism, the people felt challenged: Why hadn't any of them stepped up as Phinehas had? Why hadn't they objected and acted with bravery?

What does it mean to have a good life, a successful life? How do we handle life when it doesn’t bring us everything we hoped for?

“Why should our father’s name be eliminated from his family because he had no sons? Give us a landholding among our father’s brothers!”

Phinehas was brazenly zealous when he slayed Zimri, the licentious leader of the tribe of Simeon.

If Pinchas was rewarded with the gift of his children inheriting his priesthood, why did Moses not merit the same reward? After all, Moses turned G‑d’s wrath away from the children of Israel numerous times!

Some are loved, some are respected, and the exceptional ones are loved and respected.

I have serious reservations as to whether Dale Carnegie would use Pinchas as a role model for How to Win Friends and Influence People. And I'm definitely not suggesting that we root out all sinners by putting a spear through them. What, then, is the message of Pinchas for our time?

Traditionally, the linear, male method of “conquering the land” has been perceived as superior and more effective. But the daughters of Tzelafchad realized that there will come a time when humanity will evolve to a more feminine mode of conquest . . .

Criticizing politicians, statesmen, and religious leaders is in vogue. In the prevailing courtroom of public opinion, people are judged guilty until proven innocent. At least that's what the cynics say…

Pinchas steps forward with a spear, apparently breaking the Jewish rules of careful trial, evidence and judgment... What contemporary lesson does his deed hold for us?

The story of Pinchas has repeated itself like a broken record throughout our difficult but glorious history. Our nation would not exist today if not for the many heroic, odds-defying acts performed by courageous individuals and groups.

On which choices will we focus? The “big” ones, over which we have no control, or the “small” ones, which are entirely in our hands?

Today's Fundamentalists could shove down our throats the precedent of Pinchas: no witnesses, no judge, no trial, no appeal—simply, "G‑d came to me; and He will reward me like He did Pinchas"...

Looking back, it seems ridiculous that I wrestled so long over making up my mind, or that it meant so much to me at the time, but those few days were an agony of indecision.

At the very last moment, as the dramatic denouement drew to a close, they had a fleeting moment of remorse. And that was enough to deliver them from their fate.

One of the most embarrassing moments of my rabbinical career happened early in my first year on the job.

Our day is comprised of a mesh of constants and variables. Getting out of bed every day: a constant. What time we get up: a variable. But isn’t change preferable over the predictable? Can we all agree with the teenage motto, “Normal is boring”?

The division of land was so essential that G-d fully invested Himself in its process. It was a visual and auditory experience for the nation, one that perhaps left a life-long imprint...

The wind, earthquake and fire – all these were miraculous and astounding phenomena, so why did G‑d choose to appear in the small voice?

Moses' is concerned about his successor in whose hands the future of Israel is to be entrusted. In his prayer Moses expresses the qualifications of Israel's leader in simple yet all-inclusive terms.

Is it that simple to know everything going on in someone else’s head? Are you always that accurate with what’s happening in your own head?

About the animal sacrifices in the Holy Temple

I was feeling quite satisfied over how I had handled the situation, when I discovered The Three Fundamental Rules on How To Take The Law Into Your Own Hands. That nipped my career as an outlaw in the bud. Though it was fun while it lasted.

We don't understand those people who "stop and smell the flowers" and extol the simple pleasures of life. Some of us wouldn't recognize a "simple pleasure" if it jumped up and bit us.

Every generation replaces and becomes not only the generation that precedes it, but all the generations till Abraham.

Moses knew he was not fated to live long enough to cross the Jordan and enter the land. Who would be his successor? Did he have no thoughts on the matter?

In 1165, an agonizing question confronted Moroccan Jewry. A fanatical Muslim sect, the Almohads, had seized power and were embarked on a policy of forced conversion to Islam. The Jewish community was faced with a choice: to affirm Islamic faith or die.