[Hmmmm, just thinking . . .  a whole chapter devoted to vows included in the Torah.  Vow-making and vow-breaking must have been a problem in those days so that it had to be regulated.  What vows do people make today?    I know of a Catholic friend whose faith in God includes making such vows […]

[These chapters are most probably glossed over by readers/students of the Hebrew Bible.  We admit that we tend to do the same, specially now that we have decided that these are to be read in the context of covenant stipulations specific to Israel, not only during their wilderness wandering with the portable Tabernacle in their […]

[Of all the divinely-handpicked personages in the lineup of Israel’s hall of fame, Joshua—together with Caleb—stand out as models of faithful service to nation and God with spotless track records; no mention of momentary lapse resulting in unwise decisions with repercussions upon others (unlike Noah, or Abraham, or Jacob).   Joseph might similarly be cited […]

[The covenant YHWH had with Israel is often figuratively referred to as a “marriage”, so every so often, depending on the context, the metaphor for Israel shifts from “firstborn son” to “wife”.  In fact, because of Israel’s unfaithfulness to the covenant, “adulterous wife” or, depending on the translator, “harlot” is used with “whoring” and other […]

[This is a LONNNNGGGG  READ, sorry to lump 3 chapters all in one, but they are interconnected and should be read straight through, so be patient and DO READ straight through.     As you must have already noticed from reading through the middle books of Wayyiqrah and Bamidbar, except for occasional insights we have […]

[Miryam is presumed to be the unnamed young girl who placed her baby brother Mosheh on the river Nile to be discovered by Pharaoh’s daughter (Review Exodus 2:1-10). Descended from the line of Levi, she figures prominently with her brothers Aharown and Mosheh in the wilderness narratives.  Yet at the end of her life, this […]

[Totally clueless about this topic, we’re leaving interpretation to Jewish scholars who, surprisingly, seem to be speculating themselves although they do offer possibilities for readers’ consideration.  In short, take your pick!   Our consensus is this:  YHWH uses laws governing nature to teach valuable lessons that incorporate hygienic principles into Israel’s ‘religious’ life.  Why not […]

[Why indeed should gentiles who are not of Israel, read chapter after chapter of detailed instructions for the priesthood while serving in the Tabernacle in the wilderness, continuing on to the future Temple to be built in Jerusalem . . .  both of which don’t even exist anymore?  Nor are there Israelis today known to […]

[What a ‘visual’ God is YHWH, Who teaches clearly with words and action.  The beauty of these narratives recounting the exodus and wilderness wandering is that there are so many concrete images deeply embedded in every teaching moment for the liberated former slaves who have yet to learn, step by step, many new lessons from their Liberator, […]

[Commentary from Pentateuch and Haftarahs, ed. Dr. [J.H.Hertz;  he uses the Soncino edition; reformatting and highlights added. S6K preferred translation is EF/Everett Fox, The Five Books of Moses.—Admn1] ————————————————- THE GREAT MUTINY In the last Sedrah we had seen the people threatening to appoint a chieftain who was to take them back to Egypt.  It was ominous of […]