Category Archives: Jewish

HEIRS, HEIRESSES AND ERRORS by Rabbi Baruch Cohon

          This week we will read in the 27th chapter of Numbers the plea of five women.  It seems that a man named Zelophehad – the name sounds better and easier in Hebrew, Tzlof-khod (two syllables, not four) – had … Continue reading

Posted in Baruch Cohon, Book of Numbers, Five Daughters, Jewish, Jewish Blogs, Jewish Law, Jewish Traditions, Moses, Rabbi, Torah, Torah Study | Comments Off on HEIRS, HEIRESSES AND ERRORS by Rabbi Baruch Cohon

THE AGE OF MITZVAH by Rabbi Baruch Cohon

          During the summer, tradition assigns a chapter of Pirkey Avot, the Sayings of the Fathers, to each week.  This week features Chapter 5 of this most popular tractate.  One Mishna in this chapter seems particularly timely now, in view … Continue reading

Posted in Baruch Cohon, Jewish, Jewish Blogs, Jewish Traditions, Judaism, Mishnaic Timetable, Mitzvah, Pirkey Avot, Talmud, Torah, Torah Study, United States | Comments Off on THE AGE OF MITZVAH by Rabbi Baruch Cohon

DO WE REALLY NEED LEADERS? by Rabbi Baruch Cohon

          This week’s story of Korah, in Numbers 16-18, recounts a rebellion that caused a crisis.   Korah, a Levite who apparently was deeply jealous of the authority of his fellow Levites Moses and Aaron, leads this rebellion.  Joining him are … Continue reading

Posted in Aaron, Baruch Cohon, Israel, Jewish, Jewish Blogs, Korah, Moses, Rabbi, Torah, Torah Study | Comments Off on DO WE REALLY NEED LEADERS? by Rabbi Baruch Cohon

WHO’S A SPY?

This week we will read a particularly dramatic portion in the Torah, the story of the spies Moses sent across the Jordan to reconnoiter the Promised Land.  Twelve of them – all princes.  Twelve tribes, twelve spies.  Each one a … Continue reading

Posted in Baruch Cohon, Caleb, Israel, Jericho, Jewish, Jewish Blogs, Joshua, Moses, Rahab, Torah, Torah Study | Comments Off on WHO’S A SPY?

ARE YOU A LEVI?

          If your paternal DNA shows that you are descended from the tribe of Levi, you have certain privileges and duties that other Jewish people do not have.  For one, whether you are male or female, your first-born son does … Continue reading

Posted in Baruch Cohon, Cohon, Jewish, Jewish Blogs, Jewish Traditions, Legacy, Levi, Moses, Torah | Comments Off on ARE YOU A LEVI?