Richard A. Block

The ongoing turmoil among the Israelites during their protracted desert sojourn reaches its height in this week's Torah portion, with the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, and their followers. This crisis is not fomented, as before, by a gaggle of ordinary malcontents, bellyaching about a boring diet and longing

The end of the wilderness sojourn of the wandering Israelites approaches as the Book of Numbers reaches its conclusion. In Parashat Mas-ei, the Torah looks backward and ahead. Summarizing forty years of marches and encampments since the Exodus from Egypt requires almost a full chapter. This travelogue is detailed, but

As Numbers approaches its conclusion, Parashat Matot takes up the subject of "vows" that men or women may make and "obligations" they may assume. As one commentary explains, "The former represent a promise to do, the latter a promise to abstain" ( The Torah: A Modern Commentary, Revised Edition, p

The Jewish people's turbulent saga of disillusionment with liberation takes a new and momentarily promising turn this Shabbat, with a foray into the land of Canaan by twelve scouts. Coming on the heels of a sickening surfeit of quails, and Miriam and Aaron's calamitous criticism of Moses, this expedition seems