Judaism

“The Seventy Elders: The Challenge of Jewish Leadership”

The seventy elders chosen by Moses to serve the people were well-known for protecting the people from harm, by allowing themselves to be beaten instead of beating the Israelites.

“Counting the ‘Special’ People”

All the tribes of Israel were counted by Moses “according to their families and according to their fathers’ household.” The righteous Israelites and the righteous converts were not counted in that manner.

“Counting a Very Special People"

The counting of the Children of Israel in ancient times did not seek to identify the skills or aptitudes of those who were counted. It was a survey of those who had a genuine connection to G-d. On the festival of Shavuot we all seek to assert our special relationship with the Al-mighty.

“Torah From Sinai”

The revolutionary laws of Shemitah, of allowing the land to lie fallow every seven years, is a prominent example of laws that confirm the existence of G-d and the divinity of the Torah.

“The Great Moses Seems Not to Know the Answer”

In four major cases in the Torah, Moses seems to be unable to respond to the issues, and must wait to receive the proper answer from Heaven.

“The Extreme Sanctity of the Holy of Holies--Revisited”

The exalted holiness of the Holy of Holies chamber in the Tabernacle and Temple, plays a key role in ancient and
contemporary Jewish history.