Echoes of the Wilderness, Part IX: How Far Afield?
The final two portions of the Book of Numbers, Matot and Mas'ei, are most often combined. In their midst is the rarest cantillation in the entire Torah. It occurs in Numbers 35:5, which prescribes the size of pastures encircling the Levites' assigned town.
Echoes of the Wilderness, Part VIII: The "Ka'eileh Phenomenon"
The least exciting but perhaps most exacting section of Parashat Pinchas is the list of sacrifices specific to different sacred occasions.
Echoes of the Wilderness, Part VII: How Goodly are Your Aloes
What does an ancient plant known for its medicinal properties have to do with a tent? One of the most famous verses in the entire Torah lies at the heart of this week's portion.
Echoes of the Wilderness, Part VI: The Original "Oy"
After a series of important events for Moses, Miriam, Aaron, and the whole community, the end of Parashat Chukat lists the Israelites' conquests during their journey. Sihon, king of the Amorites, does not allow the Israelites passage through his territory, so they go to war.
Echoes of the Wilderness, Part V: Feeling Scattered
This week, as the Israelites continue wandering in the wilderness, Moses faces the most significant threat to his leadership since leaving Egypt. His distant cousin, Korach, gathers more than 250 individuals to challenge Moses and Aaron. The rest of Parashat Korach paints in vivid, violent detail the ways both God and Moses respond to the uprising.
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