In this week’s Torah portion, the tribes of Reuven and Gad request to settle on the eastern side of the Jordan River, rather than entering the Land of Israel with the rest of the nation. Moshe is initially disturbed by their request, challenging them: “Shall your brothers go out to war while you settle here?” (Bamidbar 32:6) Moshe feared that their withdrawal from the national mission would discourage the rest of the people—just as the Sin of the Spies had decades earlier. Bu

In this week’s Parsha, Hashem says to Moshe: “Go up to this mountain of Avarim and see the Land that I have given to the Children of Israel. You shall see it and you shall be gathered unto your people…. Because you rebelled against My word.” (Bamidbar 27:12-13). Here, Hashem tells Moshe that he will not be allowed to enter the Land of Israel. However, he will be allowed to ascend the mountain and see the Land before he dies. This is puzzling. Why do we need the Torah to tell

In this week’s parsha Balak, the king of Moav, sends messengers to Balaam, seeking to hire Balaam to curse the Jewish people. Balaam invites them to stay overnight, anticipating that Hashem would communicate with him that night. The Torah then tells us: “ And Hashem came to Balaam and said: ‘Who are these men with you?’ And Balaam said unto Hashem: ‘Balak, the son of Zippor, king of Moav sent them to me.’” (Bamidbar 22:9-10). This dialog is puzzling. Why would Hashem ask a qu

In this week’s parsha the Jewish people once again complain against Hashem and against Moshe: “Why did you bring us up from Egypt to die in this Wilderness?” (Bamidbar 21:5). In response, Hashem sends fiery serpents that bit the people and many perished. Realizing their mistake, the people come to Moshe and say: “’We have sinned, for we have spoken against Hashem and against you. Pray to Hashem that He remove from us the serpent.’ Moshe prayed for the people.” (Bamidbar 21:7)