In this week’s parsha, the Torah states: “A man or woman who commits any of humanity’s sins, by committing treachery toward Hashem, and that person becomes guilty — they shall confess the sin that they committed; he shall make restitution for his guilt in its principal amount and add a fifth to it…” (Bamidbar 5:6–7) Rashi explains that the “treachery” (למעול מעל) described here refers to someone entrusted with another person’s property — such as a loan, deposit, or unpaid wag

In Megillas Ruth, Boaz convenes a Beis Din to formally redeem the field belonging to Naomi and to assume responsibility for marrying Ruth. However, Naomi had another relative, Ploni Almoni, who possessed a prior right to redeem the property. To resolve the matter properly, Boaz invited Ploni Almoni to participate in the proceedings. Boaz said to him: “The parcel of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech is up for sale by Naomi, who has returned from the fields of Moab.

In the beginning of Sefer Bamidbar, the Torah tells us: “The children of Israel shall encamp, each man by his banner according to the insignias of their fathers’ household, at a distance surrounding the Tent of Meeting shall they encamp.” (Bamidbar 2:2). The Torah emphasizes that the Jewish people did not camp or travel in a random or disorganized manner. On the contrary, the remainder of the chapter carefully details the placement of each tribe within the camp and describes

At the very end of Sefer Vayikra, the Torah sets forth the laws of Arachin (valuations): “Hashem spoke to Moshe, saying: Speak to the Children of Israel and say to them: If a man articulates a vow to Hashem regarding a valuation of human beings.” (Vayikra 27:1–2) The Torah then establishes fixed valuations for men and women, depending on age. For example, it states: “The assessment of a male shall be: for someone twenty to sixty years of age, the assessment shall be fifty sil

We are now rapidly approaching the holiday of Shavuos, the second of the Shalosh Regalim—Pesach, Succos, and Shavuos. Shavuos is unique among the festivals because it is celebrated for only one day in Eretz Yisrael, while Pesach and Succos extend over seven or eight days, with Chol Hamoed connecting the opening and closing days of the holiday. Yet despite its brevity, Shavuos is deeply connected to Pesach. The Torah commands that the counting of the Omer begin on the “morrow