Bamidbar Summaries
Bamidbar 5770-2010“The Meaning of the Wilderness" The midbar–-wilderness, is a dry and abandoned location, a place where the Divine presence of G-d appears to be absent. Yet, the very opposite is true! G-d is close and extremely accessible even in the most remote places and circumstances! |
Bamidbar 5769-2009 "Bringing Order to the Camp of Israel" When it came to setting up the camp of Israel in the wilderness, two influences were significant. The angels at Sinai who surrounded G-d, and the directives that Jacob bequeathed to his children at the time of his death. Establishing healthy and secure family relationships often requires Divine intervention, but the human role must not be underestimated. |
Bamidbar 5768-2008 "Moses: A Spiritual Father" In parashat B’midbar, the Torah announces the progeny of both Aaron and Moses, but actually only names the children of Aaron. From this unusual omission, our rabbis learn a fundamental principle, that one who teaches his friend’s child Torah is regarded as if he had fathered the child. Nevertheless, there are many questions to be asked about the way the Torah expresses the relationship between Moses and his nephews and much to be learned from their relationship. |
Bamidbar 5767-2007"The Tribe of Levi--the Master Enablers"
A major portion of parashat B’midbar, as well as Naso and Beha’alotecha, focuses in on the role of the tribe of Levi. Why all this emphasis on Levites? Who were they, and how did they become the most important tribe of Israel in spiritual matters? Link to full |
Bamidbar 5766-2006"Valuable Insights from the Priestly Logistics"
In parashat Bamidbar we are told that Elazar, despite his prestigious position and noble background, carried many of the Tabernacle supplies on his own hands. There is much to be learned from Elazar's humility, and his preparedness to perform even the most menial of tasks. This attitude is what made him a worthy successor to his father as High Priest, and most fitting to serve as a model for future generations to admire and seek to emulate. Link to full |
Bamidbar 5765-2005“Lessons from Traveling in the Wilderness”
Parashat Bamidbar goes into great detail regarding the setup of the encampment of the ancient Israelites as they lived and traveled in the wilderness. These details, seemingly insignificant, provide essential lessons for Jews, lessons that we should master, and implement in our own lives, thus insuring the survival of our people. Link to full |
Bamidbar 5764-2004"Surviving the Wilderness" Bamidbar--the wilderness is not just an experience in the desert. The wilderness represents the challenge of Jews to survive in hostile environments and provides the keys for Jewish survival in those environments. B’midbar teaches that the strength of family, the centrality of G-d and devotion to Torah are the elixirs of Jewish life. |
Bamidbar 5763-2003
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Bamidbar 5762-2002 “Counting on the People of Israel” The excruciating detail that the Torah goes into when reporting on the census of the People of Israel underscores the importance of the organizational structure of the Jewish people. The redundant counting of the Jewish people in the parasha may be a rabbi’s nightmare, but the detail underscores each Jew’s preciousness. This high regard for each Jewish soul is what really keeps our people together and unified. Link to full |
Bamidbar 5761-2001 “Continuity Through Family Structure” G-d loves the Jewish people so much that He continually counts them like one counts a prized possession or money. The Jewish family is the glue, the cement of Jewish life. However, as the nuclear family erodes, the devastating breakdown of Jewish life is not far behind. Link to full |
Bamidbar 5760-2000 |