Numbers – בַּמִּדְבָּר

Zelophehad’s Daughter’s Hebrew Name Meanings

Zelophehad’s Daughter’s Hebrew Name Meanings

The story of the daughters of Zelophehad is very interesting and has a couple of layers. Yesterday we mentioned one

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Why Did Aaron Feel Distressed?

Why Did Aaron Feel Distressed?

Today’s ‘Parashah’ (weekly Torah portion) is ‘Beha’alotecha’  {בהעלותך} (‘when you step up’). This is the third ‘Parashah’ in the Book

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Who were Moses’ old opponents?

Who were Moses’ old opponents?

  Korah and his company complained about the leadership role of Moses, or in other words, they challenged Moses and

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Who was Nachshon Ben Aminadav?

Who was Nachshon Ben Aminadav?

Nachshon Ben Aminadav {נחשון בן עמינדב}  was one of the leaders of the Judah tribe during the time of the

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What were the demands of Korah and his company?

What were the demands of Korah and his company?

Yesterday we explained the background of Korah’s rebellion. The main trigger of the rebellion was the appointment of Elizaphan, the

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What was the reason for Korah’s rebellion against Moses and Aaron?

What was the reason for Korah’s rebellion against Moses and Aaron?

Our weekly Torah portion begins with the following verses: “Now Korah the son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of

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What is the reason for holding TWO censuses in the desert?

What is the reason for holding TWO censuses in the desert?

Right at the beginning of the Book of Numbers, a census of the people of Israel was held: “The LORD

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What is the Hebrew connection between spying and feet?

What is the Hebrew connection between spying and feet?

Yesterday we mentioned that there are two different words for ‘spying’ in Biblical Hebrew. The first word ‘La-Tur’ {לתור}  which

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What is the connection between the ‘spies’ and the Israeli Tourism Ministry?

What is the connection between the ‘spies’ and the Israeli Tourism Ministry?

In Biblical Hebrew, one can find two different words to describe the verb ‘to spy’. One of them can be

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What is the connection between a ‘staff,’ a ‘leader’ and a ‘promise’?

What is the connection between a ‘staff,’ a ‘leader’ and a ‘promise’?

Tomorrow’s ‘Parashot’ (weekly Torah portions) are ‘Matot’ {מטות} (Hebrew for ‘tribes’) and ‘Masei’ {מסעי} (Hebrew for ‘journeys’). Both together comprise

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What do Moses’ sister Miriam and the spies to Canaan have in common?

What do Moses’ sister Miriam and the spies to Canaan have in common?

Today’s ‘Parashah’ {פרשה} (weekly Torah portion) is ‘Shlach Lecha’ {שלח לך} (‘send to you’ or ‘send to yourself’). This is

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What do Moses and Samuel have in common?

What do Moses and Samuel have in common?

The main topic of ‘Parashat Korach’ {פרשת קורח} (the weekly Torah portion of ‘Korah’) is Korah’s rebellion against Moses and

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Two Hebrew proverbs and the story of Balaam the son of Beor

Two Hebrew proverbs and the story of Balaam the son of Beor

Even though our weekly Torah portion is named after Balak the son of Zippor the king of Moab, the main

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The wonder of the Nazirite

The wonder of the Nazirite

Yesterday we mentioned the connection between the weekly Torah portion (‘Naso’) and the weekly Prophet’s portion which speaks about Samson.

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The Sky is Falling

The Sky is Falling

This week’s ‘Haftarah’ (weekly Prophet’s portion) is one of a series of three ‘Haftarot’ (plural from of weekly Prophet’s portion)

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The Mysterious Hebrew Structure of the Priestly Blessing

The Mysterious Hebrew Structure of the Priestly Blessing

The priestly blessing is one of the most well-known biblical texts. Let’s have a look at it: “The LORD spoke

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The mysterious appearance of the Hebrew letter ‘Kof’ and its meaning

The mysterious appearance of the Hebrew letter ‘Kof’ and its meaning

  ‘Parashat Balak’ {פרשת בלק} – the weekly Torah portion of ‘Balak’ – refers to the story of the King

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The Hebrew Word for ‘Law’

The Hebrew Word for ‘Law’

Today’s ‘Parashah’ {פרשה} (weekly Torah portion) is ‘Chukat’ {חקת} (‘decree’ or ‘law’). This is the sixth ‘Parashah’ in the Book

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The Hebrew meaning of the sin of the spies

The Hebrew meaning of the sin of the spies

The sin of the spies, who were sent to explore the Land of Israel, is considered to be one of

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The Hebrew Meaning of the Priestly Blessing

The Hebrew Meaning of the Priestly Blessing

Yesterday we talked about the fascinating structure of the priestly blessing and today we will discuss the Hebrew meaning of

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The Hebrew meaning of Nazirite

The Hebrew meaning of Nazirite

‘Nazirite’ is ‘Nazir’ (נזיר) in the original Hebrew and it is derived from the Hebrew root N-Z-R (נ-ז-ר) which means

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The Hebrew Concept of Ordination

The Hebrew Concept of Ordination

  The last matter of our weekly Torah portion is when Moses appointed Joshua to succeed him. Let’s have a

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The Good, the Bad and the Usual…

The Good, the Bad and the Usual…

Yesterday’s ‘Parashah’ {פרשה} (weekly Torah portion) was ‘Naso'{נשא} (‘take’ or ‘carry’). This is the second ‘Parashah’ in the Book of Numbers

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The Deeper Meaning of the Hebrew Word for Good

The Deeper Meaning of the Hebrew Word for Good

Just before the people of Israel left Mount Sinai, the following dialogue between Moses and Jethro took place: “And Moses

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The Ark of the Covenant: Hidden Mysteries In Biblical Poetry

The Ark of the Covenant: Hidden Mysteries In Biblical Poetry

  Before the Torah is read at the synagogue, there is a ritual of opening the ‘Torah ark’ and leading

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Taking Sides

Taking Sides

Today’s ‘Parashah’ {פרשה} (weekly Torah portion) is ‘Korach’ {קורח} (named after the biblical figure ‘Korah’). This is the fifth ‘Parashah’

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Spy Explorations

Spy Explorations

When the Bible tells us about the famous story of the spies, who went to explore the land of Canaan,

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Spies and Espionage in the Hebrew Bible

Spies and Espionage in the Hebrew Bible

Yesterday we mentioned that our weekly Torah portion talks about the story of the spies Moses send to the land

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Samson’s Call to Separateness

Samson’s Call to Separateness

This week’s ‘Haftarah’ (weekly Prophet’s portion) tells the story of the birth of Samson and can be found in the

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Rich as Korah

Rich as Korah

If one would ask a native Hebrew speaker to describe a person who has great wealth, one would hear the

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Phinehas and the Levites: A Medieval Allegory

Phinehas and the Levites: A Medieval Allegory

The weekly Torah portion begins with the following verses: “And the LORD said to Moses, “Phinehas the son of Eleazar,

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Our Fathers’ Banners

Our Fathers’ Banners

After the initial census of the people of Israel ended and before the Bible describes how the different tribes camped

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On the Day : A Lesson in Understanding Hebrew Phrases

On the Day : A Lesson in Understanding Hebrew Phrases

The last topic in the weekly Torah portion of ‘Naso’ {נשא} (found in the Book of Numbers) is the offerings at the

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Israel’s Grand Old Flags: A Study of Hebrew Roots

Israel’s Grand Old Flags: A Study of Hebrew Roots

The previous posts from last week dealt with the camp order of the people of Israel in the desert, so today

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Is there such thing as ‘positive dispute?’

Is there such thing as ‘positive dispute?’

In the Jewish literature, what Korah and his company did is not considered as a ‘rebellion’ but rather as ‘Machloket’

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Intertwined Hebrew: Greatness, Culture, Civilization and Education

Intertwined Hebrew: Greatness, Culture, Civilization and Education

When the tribes of Israel were on their way to enter the Promised Land, the tribes of Reuben and Gad

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In the Desert

In the Desert

Beginning today, all synagogues will begin to read the fourth book in the Torah the Book of Numbers. The original

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How to say ‘census’ in Hebrew and how it is related to the biblical concept of military?

How to say ‘census’ in Hebrew and how it is related to the biblical concept of military?

The opening part of the Book of Numbers deals with the census of the people of Israel and that is

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How Is King David Connected To a Growing Plant in the Bible?

How Is King David Connected To a Growing Plant in the Bible?

This week ‘s ‘Haftarah’ (weekly Prophet’s portion) is taken from the Book of Zechariah (Zechariah 2:14-4:7) and talks about Joshua,

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How does the Hebrew meaning of ‘camp’ relate to Jerusalem’s most well-known market?

How does the Hebrew meaning of ‘camp’ relate to Jerusalem’s most well-known market?

During this week’s posts we have focused on the way the different tribes of Israel’s camps were organized in the

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Given to Service: The Levites

Given to Service: The Levites

One of the very first issues that the Book of Numbers deals with is the Levites and what they should do

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Does it really ‘cost nothing’? The Hebrew meaning of the word for ‘free.’

Does it really ‘cost nothing’? The Hebrew meaning of the word for ‘free.’

After the Israelites left Mount Sinai, they started to complain about life in the desert and said the following: “Now

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Blow the Trumpets in Zion: The Silver Trumpets

Blow the Trumpets in Zion: The Silver Trumpets

“The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Make two silver trumpets. Of hammered work you shall make them, and you shall

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Biblical Warfare: A ‘Hidden’ Command to Moses?

Biblical Warfare: A ‘Hidden’ Command to Moses?

One of the issues of our weekly Torah portion is the war between the Israelites and Midianites. The most well-known

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A Righteous Inheritance

A Righteous Inheritance

Yesterday we mentioned the two different censuses held in the desert. We finished with a reference to Korah’s rebellion and

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A Lesson in Modesty: Moses and Balaam

A Lesson in Modesty: Moses and Balaam

The story of the war between the Israelites and the Midianites is one of the main issues of the weekly

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