Our parasha, Naso, is the source of Birkat Kohanim, one of the most stirring acts in our prayer experience. Nearly anyone who has witnessed this tefilah senses its drama and … more

The conclusion of parshat Bamidbar leads into parshat Naso with the description of the specific and detailed jobs of each family of Levi — Kehat’s job was to carry the most important … more

M any years ago I read a story regarding Rav Yitzchak Eisenbach from Jerusalem. As a young boy, Yitzele was walking to the Kotel through the Jaffa gate one Shabbat afternoon, in a section of the … more

Years ago, after a very month in Lebanon, someone higher up decided our unit needed a break. Every unit maintains a daily events log (yoman iruim). Every patrol, ambush, search and seize, and … more

The shalosh regalim are the crown jewels of the Jewish year. Pesach commemorates the Exodus, Shavuot celebrates the giving of the Torah, and Sukkot is the festival that memorializes Hashem’s … more

In his essay “The Community” (Tradition, 17:2), Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik underscored the dignity of each individual: “To recognize a person is not just to identify him … more

When I was in ninth grade, our teacher, Rabbi Cohen, trained our class to respond to the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” with the answer, “an eved Hashem” … more

Some years ago, I attended a conference that attracted rabbis and academics. At lunch, I found myself sitting next to a gentleman whose nametag indicated that he was a “Professor.” Given … more

The concluding verse of parashaBechukotai, and of seferVayikra, contains a phrase that is crucial for a holistic understanding of the Torah: “These are the commandments (aleh … more

The opening comments of Midrash Rabba on parshaBechukotai address the Torah’s promise that those who follow G-d’s laws will be rewarded. King David was concerned for his own well … more