We read this week about the passing of Aharon, the first Kohen Gadol, the High Priest. At the time of his passing, G-d tells Moshe to ascend the mountain with both Aharon and Elazar, his son -- and to remove the vestments of the High Priest from Aharon, and place them...

Reverse the error of the spies — go to the Holy Land and see for yourself. You will see how safe it is, generally speaking. Learn how Israel defends Jewish lives in a more humane fashion than any other army in the world, including those of the US and its allies. And above all, appreciate what it means to be able to stand on holy ground.

In this week's reading, Aharon is Commanded to light the Menorah in the Temple. What happens when you light a flame? Lighting a second candle takes nothing from the first one. Doing so merely spreads the light, adding to it. If you've ever seen a building constructed...

The Talmud [Rosh Hashanah 17b] records an exchange between Bluriah, a convert, and the Rabbis. She questioned an apparent contradiction: the Torah says that G-d does not show favor [Deut. 10:17], but the Kohanim bless the nation in this week's reading [Num. 6:26] that...

If the Torah were introduced to the world today, for the first time, it would be much easier to open our minds and hearts to its message. We’d be cracking open a new book, from a new Author, with the excitement inherent in learning something completely new. The text itself would have a chance to speak. That is why the words of Torah should always be new to us, as if they were given today.

Our reading this week begins with an unusual juxtaposition: "HaShem spoke to Moshe at Mt. Sinai, saying: Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them that when they come to the land which I am giving them, they shall let the land rest, a Sabbatical for HaShem."...