Blog — Page 109 — Shorashim of the Old City

Calev’s ( Caleb) Different Spirit

June 22, 2011June 17, 2011 by Moshe Kempinski

When Moshe sent the twelve spies into the land to explore its strengths and weaknesses, ten came back with an evil report and Joshua and Calev declared that “the land is very very good”.

It is clear that Joshua had the strength to avoid the pitfall of the other spies because he received a special blessing when his name was changed from Hoshea to Yehoshuah ( Rashi, Sotah 34b) Yet Calev also did not fall prey to the disheartened spirit that felled the other ten spies. In fact we hear of Calev,”But as for My servant Caleb, since he was possessed by another spirit, and he followed Me, I will bring him to the land to which he came, and his descendants will drive it[s inhabitants] out.( Bamidbar /Numbers 14:24)

Parshat Shelach

June 15, 2011 by Moshe Kempinski

Parshat Shelach (Numbers 13:1–15:41) — We look at the Sin of the spies and their eternal implications.The remedy for that sin is also explored.

The Lesson of the letter Nun

June 9, 2011 by Moshe Kempinski

The ark of the covenant and its impact on the people of Israel is clearly so important ,as we see in the fact that the verses dealing with it are bracketed in the Torah by two upside down Hebrew letter “Nuns ( pronounced as Noons).

The verses read :

“When the Ark would journey, Moshe said ‘Arise, HaShem, and let Your enemies be scattered and let those who hate You flee from before You.’ And when it rested, he would say, return O HaShem among the myriads and thousands of Israel.'” [Bamdibar 10:35-36].”

Unique Sameness

June 2, 2011June 2, 2011 by Moshe Kempinski

In the torah portion of Nassoh we see a return to the accounting of the artifacts of the tabernacle. We were last focused on that accounting in the torah portion of Shemini (Leviticus 10) during the dedication of the Sanctuary on the 1st of Nissan, almost one year after the Exodus.

And it was that on the day that Moses finished erecting the Mishkan, he anointed it, sanctified it, and all its vessels, and the altar and all its vessels.The Nessi’im (leaders) of Israel, the heads of their fathers’ houses, presented [their offerings]. They were the leaders of the tribes. They were the ones who were present during the counting,( Numbers 7:1-2)

Parshat Nasso

June 1, 2011 by Moshe Kempinski

Nasso (Numbers 4:21–7:89) — What is the difference between blessing and prayer? What can we do for G-d that would be original and unique? Is that impossible?

The Dance of Jerusalem Day

June 1, 2011May 31, 2011 by Moshe Kempinski

President Obama would do well to listen to recordings of the radio broadcasts that were aired prior to the Six day war. This was prior to the formation of the 1967 lines precedent Obama seems to rely on. This was before Judea and Samaria, the biblical heartland was returned to their ancestral tenants. Yet in spite of the fact there was not yet an Israeli controlled “west Bank” hatred was overabundant. Yet President Obama will probably not stop to listen, as he is too busy speaking.

Bechukotai Leviticus 26:3–27:34

May 20, 2011May 20, 2011 by Moshe Kempinski

SHORASHIM OVERVIEW AND STUDY GUIDE

Bechukotai Leviticus 26:3–27:34

G‑d promises that if the people of Israel will walk in his statutes and keep His commandments, they will enjoy blessings that speak material comfort and physical security in their land.

Walking Into the Unknown

May 20, 2011May 19, 2011 by Moshe Kempinski

We are entering a time of great upheaval and concern. The world is being stirred by unusual weather phenomenon and revolutions and unrest on every continent. There was a time we would measure the state of the world in terms of decades. The 60’s decade of “flower power” .Then came the 70’s defined by campus unrest and political changes, followed by the “Me” decade of the 80’s. We then found that we began to focus on years and marveled how quickly the world had changed from one year to the next.