Tradition 45:1 Available Online!

Dear Reader, We are pleased to announce that Tradition 45.1 is now available online.  Please visit TraditionOnline.org or click on the links below to directly access this issue. Sincerely, Shlomo Brody Online Editor, Tradition Vol. 45, No. 1: Spring 2012 Editor’s Note: The One Thing Money Can’t Buy by Shalom Carmy (Dialogue with Avi Woolf [...]

Parashat Korach: Moshe at a Loss for Words? by Yaakov Bieler

For once, Moshe and Aharon are silent before a Divine Threat to Destroy the Jewish people. In Parashat Korach we encounter an intriguing radical departure from the standard pattern of behavior that Jewish biblical leaders up until this point have regularly undertaken. The rebels who challenged the legitimacy of Aharon’s position as Kohen Gadol (High [...]

Parashat Shelach: The Mysterious Case of the Shabbat Wood-Gatherer by Yaakov Bieler

A sinful act in the Parasha that is generally overshadowed. Aside from the long series of events associated with the sin of the Meraglim (spies) recorded in Parashat Shelach,[1] a transgression dealt with in a far more curt and ambiguous fashion is the incident of the Mekoshesh Eitzim (the stick gatherer [on Shabbat]) BaMidbar 15:32-36 [...]

“I’ve Looked at CLOUDS from Both Sides Now” by Yaakov Bieler

“I’ve Looked at CLOUDS from Both Sides Now” (Joni Mitchell) Special Clouds in the desert. a. Where to go. Bamidbar 9:15-23 of Parashat Naso provides additional information with regard to the Divine Cloud(s)[1] that accompanied the Jews during their forty years of desert wanderings. When the Jewish people were first freed from Egypt, the Tora [...]

Parashat Naso: Parents and Teachers as Quasi-Kohanim? by Jack Bieler

Parents appropriating Birchat Kohanim in order to bless their children. The Biblical blessing appearing in Parashat Naso, that the Kohanim are commanded to bestow upon the Jewish people— BaMidbar 6:23-26 May God Bless you and Keep you. May God Cause His Face to shine upon you and Be Gracious to you. May God Lift His [...]

Parashat Bamidbar: Nachshon, Prince Among Princes? by Yaakov Bieler

The “Nesi’im” of the tribes. At the beginning of Parashat BaMidbar, we are introduced to the “Nesi’im” (princes) of each of the tribes of Israel.[1] BaMidbar 1:5-15 1) Reuven—Elitzur ben Shedei’ur 2) Shimon—Shlumiel ben Tzurishadai 3) Yehuda—Nachshon ben Aminadav 4) Yisachar—Netanel ben Tzuar 5) Zevulun—Eliav ben Chailon 6) Ephraim—Elishama ben Amihud 7) Menashe—Gamliel ben Pedatzur [...]

Parashat Behar: Crises of Faith for Only the Farmer? by Yaakov Bieler

An expression of a lack of faith in the midst of a biblical Halachic discussion. Individuals experiencing and expressing doubts concerning their religious beliefs are mentioned in a  number of anecdotes found in the Bible.[1] Such questions of faith, however, are virtually absent in the portions of the Tora devoted to Halacha. Consequently, it is [...]

Physical Perfection and Sacrifices by Yaakov Bieler

Physical perfection of sacrifices and Kohanim. One of the major topics in the Parasha is the necessity for sacrifices as well as those who offer them, to meet certain objective criteria with regard to outward appearance.[1] While the rationale for offering only physically perfect specimens of animal and plant life can be understood in light [...]

A Most Holy Refrain by Yaakov Bieler

A unique recurring phrase. Chapter 19 of Parashat Kedoshim contains a particularly inordinate number of verses listing various individual Commandments,[1] each concluding with the words “Ani HaShem” (I am God) or “Ani HaShem Elokeichem” (I am God, your Lord): VaYikra 19:3  An individual should fear his mother and father, and My Shabbatot he should observe [...]

Parashiot Tazria-Metzora: Tzora’at’s Silver Lining? by Yaakov Bieler

The assumption that most forms of Tzora’at are a Divine Communication of critique: According to Jewish tradition,[1] the various plagues[2] that fall under the rubric of Tzora’at are brought about by sins of various types.[3] If Tzora’at is to be understood as a form of Divine Censure for objectionable actions and character traits, to be [...]

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