"Be pure with G-d (Lev. 18:13)" — this is a beautiful expression, as well as a verse in this week's Torah portion. While it describes a lofty spiritual ideal, what does it mean in a practical sense? We've all met kind people. It's probably true that the majority of...

"If I were a rich man..." Would you like to become wealthy? The Torah offers a tried and tested, universally successful road to riches, and it is found in this week's reading. The Children of Israel are commanded to tithe their produce: "You shall surely tithe all the...

This week's Torah reading includes the second paragraph of the Shema, recited in our morning and evening prayers. This paragraph talks about reward and punishment, and how they are tied to our homeland, the Land of Israel: "And if you will surely listen to my...

"I recall the kindness of your youth, the love between us when you were a bride. Your following me into the desert, a land that was not planted (Jeremiah 2:3)." One would expect to hear these words of endearment, found in this week's Haftorah reading, at a time of...

In this week's reading, HaShem tells Moshe that he will soon pass on, and to take Yehushua (Joshua) to be next leader of the Jewish nation. It is Yehoshua who will lead to the Children of Israel across the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Yehoshua was Moshe's...

In this week's reading, we learn of Bilaam, the non-Jewish prophet who was called to come curse the Jews. Once given the opportunity, Bilaam saddled his own donkey at the break of dawn. This was totally out of character for an honored and wealthy man. He was so...