by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Jun 1, 2023 | Lifeline
Our reading begins this week with the work and responsibilities of the family of Levi’s son Gershon, one of the three families of Levites. The family of Kehas was discussed in last week’s reading, and Merari follows Gershon. Each family had different...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | May 24, 2023 | Lifeline
Describing the arrival of the Children of Israel in the Sinai Desert, the Torah writes: “In the third month from the Exodus of the Children of Israel from the Land of Egypt, on that day they came to the Sinai Desert. And they traveled from Refidim, and they came...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | May 19, 2023 | Lifeline
This week’s Torah reading begins with a command to Moshe and Aharon to take a census of the Children of Israel, and the resulting count by tribe. Rabbi Moshe Nachmanides, a famed commentator from the 13th century, notes that the tribe of Levi is notably smaller...
by Mordechai Dixler | May 11, 2023 | Lifeline
As a child, I recall feeling frustrated while studying for tests. I would often fantasize about a pill that contained all the knowledge I needed for school. I would simply swallow it, and would then effortlessly possess all the information I needed, eliminating the...
by Mordechai Dixler | May 5, 2023 | Lifeline
In agriculture, spring is the time when crops are grown and begin to be harvested. During the times of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, this season was marked by the commandment to bring the Omer offering. The Omer offering was made up of a measure of barley flour and...
by Mordechai Dixler | Apr 27, 2023 | Lifeline
One of the strongest human drives is our desire to satisfy our own wants and needs, even at the expense of others. This pursuit can often lead us to pursue honor, disregard the dignity of others, and engage in negative or destructive behaviors. However, this powerful...
