Genesis 28:10 Jacob went out from Beer-sheba and went toward Haran (burning anger). C-MATS Question: Where did Jacob go before he went to Haran? Aware of the challenges awaiting him in Haran, Jacob realized that he needed to prepare himself spiritually before going there. He therefore returned to the academy of Ever in Salem (Shem had already died by then), …
VAYELECH (and he went)
Deuteronomy 31:1 And Moses went and spoke אֶת־ these words to all Israel. 2 And he said to them, I am 120 years old this day; I cannot go out and come in anymore: and ויהוה said to me, You will not cross over אֶת־ the Jordan this day. C-MATS Question: Why did Moses say “I am 120 years old …
NITZAVIM (you are standing)
Deuteronomy 29:10 אתם You stand this day before יהוה your Elohim; your captains of your tribes, your elders and your officers and all the men of Israel. C-MATS Question: What is important about the verse, “אתם You stand this day before יהוה your Elohim”? You have provoked the Omnipresent to anger many times, yet He has not made an end …
Balak, King of Moab
Balak, the king of Moab, hired the prophet Balaam to curse the people of Israel. Balaam repeated futile attempts to curse Israel, but Elohim insisted that he bless Israel. Elohim wanted these magnificent blessings to come to Israel through the agency of the wicked and immoral Balaam, so that all the world would know that everyone is helpless to harm Israel against …
CHUKAT (ordinance of)
In this Torah reading יהוה instructs Moses and Aaron regarding the red heifer, whose ashes purify a person who has been contaminated by contact with a dead body; Miriam dies and the people thirst for water; Moses hits a rock in anger to bring forth water rather than speaking to it and is denied entry to the Promised Land; Aaron dies, …