Rabbi’s Blog
A weekly message from Rabbi Cantor Menachem Mirski, Ph.D.

Tag God

On the Balance Between Good and Evil Forces

Thoughts on Parashat Pinchas

At the very beginning of this week’s Torah portion God rewards Pinchas, the grandson of Aaron, for his zealous act – namely for killing the prince of the Simeonites Zimri and his lover Cozbi, a Midianite princess. As part of this reward God endows Pinchas with the covenant of peace and includes him in the priestly line for eternity (According Continue Reading

Force of Habit, Passivity, Fear and Their Consequences

Thoughts on Parashat Shelach

In this week’s Torah portion Moses sends twelve spies to the land of Canaan. They come back forty days later, bringing an enormous assortment of grapes, pomegranates and figs to prove the richness and abundance of the land they traveled across. However, ten of the spies warn everyone that the inhabitants of that land are giants and warriors “stronger Continue Reading

The King and His Son

Thoughts on Parashat Naso

Two weeks ago I devoted my drasha to Jewish unity and diversity. This week I will take up the topic of leadership. This week’s Torah portion speaks extensively about roles of Levites (in particular Kohathites and Gershonites,) Kohanim in the Tabernacle services, ritual purity, the ritual of nazirite and so on. The idea of purity, of “being fit” Continue Reading

On Jewish Unity and Diversity

Thoughts on Parasha Bamidbar

This week’s Torah portion contains a number of laws and regulations regarding the responsibilities of the representatives of each tribe of Israel in the Tent of Meeting. These regulations are only a part of the whole Code of Law which was supposed to ensure the harmonious co-existence of the tribes of Israel in Biblical times. The theme of harmony Continue Reading