The Holy Gaze by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine A tragedy had occurred. On the inauguration day of the Mishkan, two of Ahron’s sons proceeded to bring an unauthorized offering in the Sanctuary, and G-d took their lives. In the aftermath, Moshe told Ahron, “I knew that great people would die on this day. I just wasn’t more »
Someone Else’s Zealot by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Pinchas acted most definitively. When he saw the prince of the tribe of Shimon teasing Moshe he killed him. The prince, Zimri, had taken a Midianite princess dressed for prostitution, and teased Moshe loudly, asking, “May I be with this woman.” Pinchas- the man who acted- is known more »
Mouth For Hire By Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Bilaam was a powerful man. Blessed with a heightened spiritual awareness, Bilaam had trained himself in negative spirituality. No one could curse effectively the way Bilaam could. For the right price Bilaam was willing to provide his services. And because so many people have enemies Bilaam’s talents were more »
Speaking softly, while carrying a big stick by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The Jews in the desert benefited from an ongoing water supply in the merit of Miriam. In the beginning of their sojourn in the desert Moshe is told to hit a rock and, in the merit of Miriam, water miraculously flowed from it. In more »
A Good “Machlokes” by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Parshas Korach describes the great argument or “Machlokes” between Korach and our teacher Moshe. Korach felt slighted by the way that Moshe assigned the honors. Korach wished that he had been chosen to be the Kohein. So he started a rebellion. By the time it is over, Korach more »
Did You Ask? by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The Jewish people were ready for one of the greatest transitions of all time. They were about to leave the miraculous existence in the desert and enter the Land of Israel. Soon, instead of manna from heaven, they would plant seeds and they would grow. Soon, the miraculous more »
The Boat That Wouldn’t Row by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine In this week’s Torah portion we read of the Sotah, the unfaithful wife. A husband saw his wife “hanging out” improperly, and he warned her. Now she did it again. She was seen going privately with a man. The Torah outlines a procedure to clarify what more »
The Gift of Shavuos by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The holiday of Shavuos is known as the time when we received the Torah. It is an exciting commemoration, a special time. But there is one big question. The luchos [two tablets] that resulted from Shavuos were shattered when Moshe came down and saw the golden calf. more »
Staying on Track by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The Parsha begins by telling us that the mitzvos that follow were given at Sinai. Rashi wonders what the significance of this statement is, and explains: The Torah is teaching us that the details of all mitzvos are also from Sinai (i.e. from G-d’s revelation). This, indeed, is more »
The Relationship of a Lifetime by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The Kohein/ Jewish priest was an important person in Jewish life. He was a mentor, a role model, and the one who brought the offerings in the Beis Hamikdash. A person was able, and encouraged, to develop a relationship with a Kohein. But for all the more »