The Jewish people are building the Tabernacle. Then the Torah interrupts the narrative of the building to do some accounting.
Ramban – Nachmanides
Ramban lived from 1195 – 1270. He wrote commentaries on the Torah and many parts of the Talmud.
Exodus 23:20 – The Angel
God called Moses up to Mount Sinai. There He taught Moses the Torah. He also taught him what will happen after the people leave Mount Sinai.
Exodus 18:11 – Now I Know
Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, came to meet the Jewish people camped at Mount Sinai. Moses told him everything that had happened to them in Egypt and at the Sea.
Exodus 14:13-14 – Stand Still Be Silent
God is escorting the Jewish people out of Egypt. He directed them to camp by the sea. But Pharaoh is chasing after them with 600 chariots.
Exodus 11:3 – The Man Moses
God has brought 9 plagues on Egypt. In a shocking development we learn that Moses is respected and the Jewish people are not hated by the Egyptians.
Genesis 28:20-22 – Jacob’s Vow
Jacob had a dream of a ladder reaching from earth to heaven. God appeared to him and promised many things. Then Jacob made a vow which seems to imply that he doubted God’s promises.
Deuteronomy 23:10 – The Jewish Camp
Moses in Deuteronomy 23 warns the Jewish army to “beware of every evil.” What is the evil they should avoid?
Deuteronomy 17:6 – 2 or 3 Witnesses
According to Deuteronomy 17:6 judges in a Jewish court must hear the testimony of two or three witnesses. If two witnesses are enough, then why mention three? If three are required, then why mention two?
Deuteronomy 4:9 – Lest You Forget
In Deuteronomy 4:9 Moses tells the Jewish people not to “forget the things which your eyes have seen.” What are these “things” and why are they important?
Balaam Was Not a Prophet
Parshat Balak 5772
This week’s parsha is dominated by the story of Balak hiring the prophet Balaam to curse the Jewish people.