The Chumash (Five Books of Moses)
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The Ten Commandments
Please explain each one of the 10 commandments and the Mitzvot included in each one. Is G-d’s name mentioned in the commandments” where and why is it mentioned? Answer: To make my job easier, I’m quoting the whole thing, from…
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Naming a Torah Portion After Yitro
Why is such an important Torah Portion, where the 10 commandments are presented to the people at the Sinai, named after a polytheistic priest Yitro (Jethro)? Answer: Thanks for asking this great question. Yitro was not just a priest. He…
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Jacob Earns a Birthright
I just reread the bible story of Jacob and Esau. I am so curious – why do you think G-d changed the birth right order of the brothers? Answer: Great question! There are many layers of depth to why G-d…
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Bilaam’s Prophecy
I am studying the Torah portion of Balak and I am struck by the beautiful imagery that follows the familiar “Mah Tovu” (Numbers 24:5). But since these words were uttered by the false prophet, Bilaam, I am curious as to…
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Miriam’s Well and Leaving the Supernatural
How does the stopping of the well of Miriam relate to faith? Answer: You do mention that the episode describes a lack of faith on the the part of the Jewish people. That is certainly true. The Jewish people are…
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Portions Named after Korach and Balak
Why is a Parsha (Weekly Torah Portion) named after Korach and Balak? Wouldn’t Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob be more appropriate? Answer: Unfortunately I do not know the particulars about the naming of the different portions. It seems that the name…
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“The Sons of Korach Did Not Die”
I have read that Samuel was a descendant of Korach. If Korach and his entire family fell into the earth (Numbers 16:31-33), how could Shmuel have been his descendant? Answer: In Numbers 26:11 it states, “The sons of Korach did…
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Infanticide and Divine Justice
Please forgive me if my question is impudent; I certainly do not mean to be disrespectful. My question is this: When Korach and his cohort got swallowed up by the earth (Numbers 16:31-33), did that include babies who were not…
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Understanding “Love Your Neighbor”
I have to write an essay on a few of the famous quotes in Leviticus. I am having a particularly troubling time on chapter 19, verse 18 and understanding the meaning of the different commentaries by Rashi and Rambam and…