Before they went out of style, mother-in-law jokes were very popular. Have you ever heard of a father-in-law joke? I have not, but I suppose if anyone were to author such a joke, it would be our … more

The Torah gives three examples of “Your brother becoming impoverished.” (V’khi yamukh achikha). The first has to do with selling family property, and how it returns to the … more

Open up a chumash with Rashi on this parsha, and the first thing you notice is… no Rashi. You can count on your hand the number of comments Rashi provides on chapters 36 and 37; after all, he’s already commented on these topics in parshat Terumah, chapters 25 and 26. more

The first of the two significant covenants that were forged between Avraham and G-d was the Brit Bein Habtarim (Covenant Between the Pieces). In exchange for a promise that he’ll have children, that they’ll be enslaved for 400 years, but that they’ll ultimately inherit the land of Canaan, G-d asks of Avraham (still Avram at that time) to “Bring for Me a prime heifer, a prime goat, a prime ram, a dove and a young pigeon.” more

Bilaam desperately wants to go with King Balak’s men to fulfill what he believes is his destiny to curse the Jewish people. Knowing of his own relationship with G-d, however, he will not accept the job until he is given permission from G-d. He makes this quite clear to Balak’s first agents. more

One of the garments of the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) was the Tzitz, a plate of gold worn on the forehead, inscribed with the words “Kodesh LaShem” (Holy to G-d). In describing its … more

Resolutions for remarkable Jews By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of Oct. 10, 2008 It is a bit of a challenge to reflect on Yom Kippur before it happens. This issue of The Jewish Star went to … more

By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of Jan. 16, 2009 / 20 Teves 5769 Chapter 4: “24 — And it was on the way in the inn, and the Lord met him and he wanted his death. 25 — And Zipporah took a … more

By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of June 4, 2010 / 22 Sivan 5770 In the last verse of their statement the spies say, “And there we saw the Nefilim, the sons of the [original] giant of the Nefilim. … more

Chapter 24 describes the immediate events preceding Moshe’s trek to the mountain for forty days and nights. Aharon, Nadav, Avihu and the seventy elders accompany Moshe as he is about to commence his hike up the mountain. more