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Ben-Tzion Spitz

Jul 3, 2026, 5:30 PM

The Power of Honoring (Pinhas)

"Moses Ordaining Joshua" (AI image by author)

“Example is the school of mankind, and they will learn at no other” -Edmund Burke God has informed Moses of his impending forced retirement. Moses will not cross the Jordan River with the people of Israel to enter the promised land....

Sarah Segal-Katz

Jul 3, 2026, 3:08 PM

One year after the ‘Daughters of Zelophehad’ ruling: A marathon, not a sprint

The Supreme Court of Israel building
Photo: Lael Klein / Gluya Magazine

Today, the 18th of Tammuz, marks exactly one year since the ruling in the petition over women's right to sit the Chief Rabbinate's ordination exams (the "Yoreh Yoreh" track) on the same terms as men. The presiding justice, Noam...

Jul 3, 2026, 6:31 AM

On Parents and Teachers (Pinchas, Covenant & Conversation)

Child Little Boy in Glasses Reading Book over School Black Board with Chalk Drawing, Kids Preschool Development, Children Education Concept

Just beneath the surface of this week’s Parsha is an exceptionally poignant story. It occurs in the context of Moses’ prayer that God appoint a successor as leader of the Jewish people. One hint is given in the words of...

Jul 2, 2026, 11:47 PM

A Man of Masks and Mountains

One of the saddest moments in the Torah walks hand in hand with one of its most selfless. In this week’s parasha, after counting the Jewish People who will shortly possess the Land of Israel, Moshe is reminded that...

Jul 1, 2026, 11:35 AM

‘Disciples’: Parashat Pinchas 5786

If your last name is Manning and you play in the NFL, expectations come with the territory. Archie Manning was one of the most respected quarterbacks of his generation. His sons, Peyton and Eli, each won two Super Bowls...

Sharona Margolin Halickman

Jun 30, 2026, 1:08 PM

Pinchas’ Surprising Lineage

The genealogy of the tribes of Reuven, Shimon and Levi is found in Shmot, Chapter 6. In verse 25, we come across Pinchas’ lineage: Elazar, Aharon’s son, married one of the daughters of Putiel, and she bore him Pinchas. It seems...

Jun 26, 2026, 6:36 PM

The Hardest Word to Hear (Balak, Covenant & Conversation)

The story of Bilaam, the pagan prophet, begins with a bewildering set of non-sequiturs. It involves a sequence of events that seems to have no logic. First, the background. The Israelites are approaching the end of their forty years in...

Jun 25, 2026, 10:09 PM

A Story Not About Jews

It is a story all about the Jews, yet the Jews play no role in it. It contains some of the most common phrases in Jewish life, yet they are not the words of any Jew. This week's Parasha...

Menachem Creditor

Jun 25, 2026, 6:30 PM

Friendship Over Fear (Chukat-Balak)

There is no shortage of wisdom in this week’s double Torah portion, Chukat and Balak. But this year, I found myself returning to the teaching of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks of blessed memory, whose clarity often feels not only wise,...

Ben-Tzion Spitz

Jun 25, 2026, 12:49 PM

A Breach in Our Armor (Balak)

“We must watch over our modesty in the presence of those who cannot understand its grounds.” - Jean Rostand The wicked prophet Bilaam teams up with the powerful King of Moab, Balak, to destroy the people of Israel. Bilaam attempts...

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