Moshe kempinski The psychological dangers of walking the wilderness can be overwhelming. This is true of our own individual journeys through life or of the corporate journey of our people. One can become frightened of the shortness of our stature and by the shortness of sight. One can lose awareness of the depth of our … Read more
Moshe Kempinski The people of israel in the wilderness undergo great spiritual changes as a result of incomprehensible supernatural experience. Being mortal, the effects of these spiritual experiences have been world shaking for this newly formed people. They were raised as slaves and now find themselves physically free. They had been surrounded and had been … Read more
by Rabbi Chanan Morrison Levies for Levites After the Korach rebellion, challenging the special status of the Levites and the kohanim, God enumerated the various ways the Jewish people support the tribe of Levi. The Levites were engaged in the Temple service and teaching the nation, yet received no inheritance in the Land of Israel. … Read more
Rabbi Chanan Morisson A scholar, recently arrived from America, was deeply disturbed. He went to visit Rav Kook, unburdening his severe disappointment about the state of religious observance in Eretz Yisrael. He was shocked by the sight of irreligious Jews desecrating the Sabbath, eating forbidden foods, and rebelling against Jewish traditions in the Holy Land. … Read more
Moshe Kempinski Darkness always fills the void when light ceases to shine. It is critical to remember that darkness is simply the absence of light, and not to give darkness itself too much power and strength. Yet, there are times that darkness seems to engulf the light. There are times darkness seems to work under … Read more
Rabbi Chanan Morisson Throughout their travels in the desert, the Israelites were commanded to set up their tents around tribal flags: “The Israelites shall encamp with each person near the banner carrying his paternal family’s insignia. They shall encamp at a distance around the Communion Tent.” (Num. 2:2) What is the significance of these banners? … Read more
Moshe Kempinski The Torah portion of Behar begins with the words;” And Hashem spoke to Moshe on Mount Sinai ( Behar Sinai) saying, Speak to the children of Israel and you shall say to them: When you come to the land that I am giving you, the land shall rest a Sabbath to Hashem. (Leviticus … Read more
by Rabbi Chanan Morrison “God told Moses, ‘Speak to the kohanim, the descendants of Aaron. Let no [kohen] defile himself [by contact] with a dead soul among his people.” (Lev. 21:1) Why are kohanim not allowed to come in contact with a dead body? Why does the Torah refer to the dead person as a … Read more
