The 17th of Tammuz is characterised by five catastrophes: 1. the two original tablets of the Law were smashed by Moses, 2. the Korban Tamid (perpetual sacrifice) stopped in the First Temple, 3. Jerusalem’s city walls were breached in pr...
“I see him, but not now; I behold him but not nigh; a star (kochav) will step forth (darach) from Jacob and a sceptre (shevet) will rise out of Israel and smite through the corners (paatei) of Moab….” Numbers 24:17; 1917 JPS transla...
Parashat Chukat is one of the most problematic and depressing sedrot in the Torah. It is often read together with Balak, although any link between the two is tenuous. First we have the commandment of the Red Heifer, which is also read as ...
