Jun 23, 2022
Korach | Three Books: Three Perspectives, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom
The setting of Parashat Korach raises broader issues about the chronological sequencing of the Torah's narrative; ibn Ezra maintains that Korach's rebellion took place significantly before the "sin of the scouts" story, which precedes it in Bamidbar....
Jun 16, 2022
Shelach | Of Spies and Scouts, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom
The central story in Parashat Shelach is the "Meraglim" - even though they are never called "spies" in the narrative. Their job, to "scout" (לתור) the land, the selection of important people and the representative nature of the mission (one from each...
Jun 9, 2022
Beha'alotekha | Those Memorable Cornets, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom
The command to fashion two silver cornets (Bamidbar 10:1-10) is puzzling - are they to be made for utilitarian goals or for commemorative (זכרון) purposes? We explore the material, fashioning, timely (desert) uses as well as the eternal (in the Land)...
May 19, 2022
Bechukotai | Avraham's Path, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom
The first 11 verses of Parashat Behukotai comprise the "berakha", the promised reward for the people's obeisance of the covenant at Sinai. The opening phrase אם בחקתי תלכו is puzzling and has led to a range of interpretation; building from this notion...
May 11, 2022
Behar | Fear My Mikdash - Which Mikdash? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom
The short Parasha of Behar Sinai is, as alluded to in its heading, out of sequence and was given by Hashem at an earlier point during the Stand at Sinai. We explore several options of what "Behar Sinai" may mean here and conclude that the reference is...