A Good Eye by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Moshe was nearing the completion of his career. Although he would have liked to continue and lead the Jewish people into the Land of Israel, Hashem told him that this was not to be. Instead Moshe was told, “Ascend the mountain, and look at the land which I more »
Do you see what I see? by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The Torah describes an incident in which dangerous snakes attacked the Jews while they were in the desert. The people cried out for help and Moshe erected a pole with the image of a snake at its top. The Torah relates, “It was, that whoever more »
The Jewish Army by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The Jewish army was mobilized. Moshe gave the directive and the Jews prepared to wage war against Midian. “For they have harassed you with conspiracy…” It was a time for action. The strategy was simple. Each tribe would contribute three thousand soldiers. The medrash explains: One thousand would more »
The Propaganda War by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Korach was an honorable man. He was one of the chosen few designated to carry the holy Aron. Then something went wrong. In this week’s Parsha we find him in a showdown with Moshe, the revered man of G-d. Korach tries to oust Aaron from the position of more »
Are You Honor Able by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine One of the important facets of the Jewish encampment in the desert was the personal flag that each tribe camped with. Just as an army rallies around its flag in battle, so each tribe camped with its appropriate flag, rallying around a theme that made that tribe more »
by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine It was truly a tragedy. A person was found killed not far from the city. Law enforcement officials were called to the scene, but for all their efforts they could not find the killer. Totally at a loss, they followed the Torah directive for such a case. They called the High more »
By Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Two of the most fascinating mitzvos in the Torah are the mitzvos of charity and loaning money without charging interest. Sometimes it is challenging to give up one’s own money to another person. “I too need MY money,” one might say. Even when considering a loan, one might ask, “Must I more »
by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine One of the readily understood commands of the Torah is “You shall not detract from Torah.” If not for this command, every generation would feel entitled to undo the mitzvos that they think are outdated. G-d is assuring us that the Torah is Divine. It speaks to the essence of human more »
by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Let’s say a miracle man would arrive in town. The locals would be duly impressed by his talents and expertise. But what if he started sharing a message which differed from Torah and mitzvos? I contend that the Jews would opt out. Do you know why? Because miraculously speaking we are more »
by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Little things count. That is the message of the blessings described in this week’s Torah portion. The blessing that G-d will “love you, bless you, multiply you, and save you from illness,” is granted to you, “If you will observe the nuances of the mitzvos.” Traditional commentaries explain the observance of more »