Mindful Torah...and more

This week we read Parshat D'varim the first parashah (portion) in the book of D'varim /Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22). The Book of D'varim consists primarily of three addresses that Moses makes to the people of Israel before he dies and they enter the Promised Land. These addresses are part spiritual preparation, part ethical will and part reminder and warning. During his first address, Moses reminds the Israelites of  40 years earlier at Kadesh-barnea , when he sent 12 spies to scout out the Promised Land. However, the version he tells here differs greatly from the original telling in Be'midbar/ Numbers (13:1-14:45). In the original telling God commands Moses to appoint one scout from each of the 12 tribes to reconnoiter the land and bring back a report. When they return, they all agree that the land is flowing with milk and honey. However, 10 out of the 12 spies report that the people there are like giants and that they will not be able to conquer them. Only...

Well, it's deja vu all over again!  Here is the commentary for this week that I accidentally posted last week! --------------------------------- I was looking through some past divrei torah (Torah commentaries) and discovered this one from four years ago.  Though the situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories has changed much since then, I believe that the message of this d'var torah still holds true today. Let us pray that the time of peace will arrive and commentaries like this will no longer be necessary. Shabbat Shalom, Steven Commentary on Matot-Masei 5766 (2006) This week we conclude the reading of the book of Be'midba r/Numbers with the double parashah /portion of Matot-Masei (30:2-36:13). In Parshat Matot we read of the laws given to the Israelites concerning the making of vows, as well as a description of the war against the Midianites. It concludes with Moses resolving a request by the tribes of Gad and Reuben to live on the "other side of t...

So I was looking at my calendar thinking that it was July 9th, even though the month just started yesterday!  So, of course, it's Matot-Masei.  If I had just remembered that last we ended the reading with the story of Pinchas I would have remembered that it's Pinchas this week.  Oh well, it's been a hectic week. So here is a poem that I wrote a couple years ago for Pinchas.  I don't have time to edit it before Shabbat, but I hope you enjoy it.  And save Matot-Masei's commentary for next week, as I won't be able to post then. Shabbat Shalom, Steven Pinchas Numbers/Bemidbar 25:10 – 30:1 It begins by mentioning an incident that occurred at the end of last week’s parashah where Pinchas, son of Eleazar the priest and grandson of Aaron slays the Israelite man Zimri and the Midianite woman Cozbi after they enter a tent to have sexual relations. This takes place after the text tells us that the Midianites have led the Israelites into whoring, both in terms...