The Chumash (Five Books of Moses)
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What did Pinchas Do?
The beginning of the Torah Portion of Pinchas begins with a reference to a great deed that Pinchas did. What great deed did he perform? Answer: Pinchas, the son of Elazar, the son of Aharon HaKohain, appeased My anger against…
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Keturah’s Sons and Names Listed in the Torah
In Genesis, Chapter 25, (Shishi of Chayei Sarah), the Torah begins by telling us that Avraham married Keturah and had six sons with her. It names them and then names the sons of two of them, the sons of Jokshan…
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Numbers in Wilderness — all to the tenth?
Why are there no odd numbers in the Torah’s counting ( 637….2349…. ) of the Jewish people in the Torah Portion of Bamidbar, only round numbers ? Answer: This question is very interesting. I’ve wondered about it for a long…
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The Torah Portion Named after Pinchas
Why is the Sedra (Torah Portion) Pinchas called Pinchas when the story of Pinchas was last week in [the Torah Portion of] Balak? Answer: A Sedra is always known by a significant word that appears at the beginning of the…
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Miracles in the Torah
I have heard there were several constant miracles when Israel was in the wilderness. Examples are that the staves of the ark were longer than the Holy of Holies but when they were placed in the room, they just fit.…
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Ritual Purification Without a Temple
Can you direct me to a treatise on the evolution of the practice of ritual purification (childbirth, skin diseases, and secretions) following the destruction of the Second Temple? Answer: Hi! The Talmud Shabbat says that the laws of ritual purification…
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Korach and the New Month (Rosh Chodesh)
Is there any connection between Korach and Rosh Chodesh (the new Jewish month)? Answer: Hmm – interesting. Korach and Rosh Chodesh don’t seem that obviously connected, but the Torah is one; every part is connected to every other. So I…
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Mt. Sinai and the Burning Bush
What was the difference between G-d’s revelation to the Jews at Sinai and His revelation at the burning bush. Answer: There are several differences, but the main differences are: Moshe (Moses) saw the vision at the Burning Bush alone. The entire…
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Passover – Back to Back Celebrations
I’m familiar with the Passover festival that begins on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Nisan. Yet, the Bible (Leviticus 23:5-6 and other places) seems to indicate that Passover is on the 14th of the Jewish month of…