For several months now I’ve been reading Leadership in the Wilderness by Dr. Erica Brown.
During that whole time I’ve been going back and forth in my mind about whether or not to write a review.
Moshe
A Lesson From Stephen Covey
Stephen Covey taught his son how to take care of their lawn.
The story is recorded in his classic book The 7 Habits
of Highly Effective People.
Learning How to Lead
Parashat Yitro 5773
I’m trying to understand what Moshe said to God just before the giving of the Torah.
Look at these verses (Judaica Press translation):
The Mystery of the Cushite Woman
Parashat Behaalotcha 5772
This week’s parasha concludes with the incident of Miriam and Aharon speaking against Moshe:
Bamidbar Chapter 12
1 Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses regarding the Cushite woman he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman.
Will There be Sacrifices in the Third Temple?
Parashat Vayikra 5772
As we read last week, at the end of Sefer Shemot, Moshe set up the Mishkan and the glory of God filled it.
Here at the beginning of Sefer Vayikra, God calls to Moshe and tells him which sacrifices the Jewish people will be offering.
I must mention that my teacher, Rabbi Mendel Farber, often told me that we should not refer to the animal offerings as sacrifices. To sacrifice something can imply that it is lost and now without value. He contends that whatever we give to God is never lost and never loses its value.
Motivating the People to Build the Tabernacle
Parashat VaYakhel – Pekudei 5772
Our tradition tells us that God forgave the Jewish people for the sin of the Golden Calf on Yom Kippur.
The next day Moshe gathered the people and told them about the Divine command to build the Tabernacle (Mishkan).
Building the Tabernacle
Parashat VaYakhel – Pekudei 5772
Our tradition tells us that God forgave the Jewish people for the sin of the Golden Calf on Yom Kippur.
Moshe gathered the people and told them about the Divine command to build the Tabernacle (Mishkan).
3 Lessons After the Golden Calf
Parashat Ki Tisa 5772
After the sin of the Golden Calf, God told Moshe that he was going to destroy the Jewish people.
After Moshe destroyed the Golden Calf he then went back up to Har Sinai to plead for the people (Shemot 32:30-32).
Moshe pleaded with HaShem that the Divine Presence would remain with them. Here is part of that exchange (translation from Judaica Press):
After the Golden Calf
Parashat Ki Tisa 5772
If it’s possible for a whole nation to have a bad hair day, then the Jewish people had one.
The people were confused about when Moshe would return from Har Sinai. They got anxious and urged Aharon to make a visual representation of God (Shemot 32: 1-6).
This is the event that is called Cheit HaEigal or the Golden Calf.
Hearing and Understanding
Parashat Yitro 5772
Background
Moshe’s first encounter with Yitro’s family was at a well. Yitro’s daughters took care of his flocks. Moshe intervened when other shepherds would not let them water their flock.
When Yitro heard what had happened, he invited Moshe to stay with them. This was good for Moshe since he was a fugitive from Paro. Moshe married Yitro’s daughter Tzipporah and they had two sons.