Posts by Yosef Farhi
COUNTING ON YOU
COUNTING ON YOU Parashat Bamidbar Parashat Bamidbar begins with the census and the flags. The census was taken of male Jews from age twenty and up, of those eligible for the army. Two concepts are difficult to understand. If the Jews did not have any plans to go to war, what was the purpose of…
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80/ 20 Parashat Bamidbar The book of Bamidbar is referred to as the Book of Numbers, because that is how it begins: taking the census of the Jewish people in the desert from the age 20 and up, the age from which males were eligible for the army. Each tribe was counted separately – from…
Read Full PostTIGHTROPING BETWEEN HUMBLENESS AND HAUGHTINESS
TIGHTROPING BETWEEN HUMBLENESS AND HAUGHTINESS Parashat Behukotay In Pirkei Avot, we are taught to be very, very humble (4, 4). Generally speaking, the golden rule that our Sages suggest is in the middle of two extremes. Not too flamboyant and not too sparing. Not too courageous and not too cowardly. (Rambam Deot 1; 4)…
Read Full PostAN AWESOME THOUGHT
AN AWESOME THOUGHT Parashat Behar R’ Akiva would say, Beloved is Man, for he is created in the Image of G-d.(Avot Ch. 3) What does this mean? G-d is infinite. Immortal. Immeasurable. The First and the Last. Was, Is and Will Be. He is in the Past, Present and Future, simultaneously. He is not limited…
Read Full PostEGGY RELATIONSHIPS
EGGY RELATIONSHIPS Parashat Acharei Mot Relationships are like eggs. You have to know how to handle them. Held too loosely, the egg can fall and break. Held too tightly, it can be crushed, and then you are left with the white and yellow gook all over your fingers. It is a delicate balance. Relationships…
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