David Curwin, at The Blogs

Apply for a Blog

Jun 27, 2022, 8:32 PM

Between Korach and Chukat

Parashat Chukat begins with the laws of the Parah Adumah (red heifer) and how it is used to purify after contamination from a corpse. Why does Chukat start with this law, and why does it follow Parashat Korach, which...

Jun 20, 2022, 1:24 PM

Between Shelach and Korach

Parashat Shelach ends with the commandment of tzitzit, and is followed immediately with the story of Korach. What is the connection between the two? The most obvious connection is the idea that holiness applies to all. In the laws of...

Jun 13, 2022, 11:32 AM

Between Behaalotcha and Shelach

Parashat Behaalotcha ends with the story of Miriam’s punishment. Why is it followed with the story of the Spies? I think a hint can be found in the second to last verse of Behaalotcha. After Miriam is punished with tzaraat...

Jun 7, 2022, 3:02 PM

Between Naso and Behaalotcha

Parashat Behaalotcha opens with the commandment to light the menorah. The previous parasha, Naso, ended with the gifts of the princes. Rashi, quoting a midrash, asks why this was so: “Why is the section treating the candelabrum put in juxtaposition...

May 30, 2022, 1:31 PM

Between Bamidbar and Naso

Parashat Bamidbar ends with a command to take a census of all the Levites. The census begins with the descendants of Levi’s son Kehat and their jobs in transporting the mishkan. Following that, Parashat Naso commences with the census...

May 23, 2022, 5:24 PM

Between Bechukotai and Bamidbar

The book of Vayikra ends with the end of Parashat Bechukotai, and it is followed with Bamidbar (the book and the parasha). The two books have very different styles, and their differences are reflected in the transition between the...

May 9, 2022, 11:13 AM

Between Emor and Behar

The end of Parashat Emor and the beginning of Parashat Behar leave us with many questions. By and large, the book of Vayikra is full of laws. Certainly that is the case since the death of Aharon’s sons in...

May 2, 2022, 11:39 AM

Between Kedoshim and Emor

Parashat Kedoshim concludes with a series of laws that focus on attaining holiness and ensuring distinction between Israel and the other nations, and the violation of which are very serious crimes. It ends with a summary of the purpose of...

Apr 11, 2022, 12:52 PM

Between Metzora and Acharei Mot

When discussing the transition between Parashat Shemini and Parashat Tazria, we saw that a common theme was contact with the dead - first dead animals, then humans who had conditions that were associated with death. This continues through Parashat...

Mar 28, 2022, 9:36 PM

Between Shemini and Tazria

Parashat Shemini ends with the laws of permitted and forbidden animals, and how touching carcasses can cause impurity. Parashat Tazria starts with the laws of a new mother, and continues with the impurity associated with skin diseases (tzaraat). Why...

Load more

About Me

David Curwin is a writer living in Efrat. He has been writing about the origin of Hebrew words and phrases, and their connection to other languages, on his website balashon.com since 2006. He has also published widely on topics relating to Bible and Jewish philosophy.

Contact Me