Author: Shlomo Bar-Ayal

The setting of boundaries is important for any society. Without them then we turn into anarchy with no limits on what is permitted and what is not. The Torah gives us boundaries both physical & moral. Both for Jews and non-Jews.

In this week’s portion the Jews get the command to destroy Midian. This was not revenge for what they did but a judgement that caused others to sin, which is worse than committing then since yourself.

We learn the importance of keeping your word. In the Torah’s view a person’s word is their bond. To violate this is a major sin, not just against your fellow man but against God.

The State of Israel does not have a tomb of the unknown soldier. This is because the Torah stresses that each person is to be counted as an individual. And that society is made up of individuals acting in harmony.

The Torah stresses that our job is to make the mundane holy. We do this in our daily activities.

The daughters of Tzelofchad were worried about their portion of the land since their father had no sons. Moses hears their argument and asks God about this. They were not angry they saw a possible problem and wanted to find a solution.

Moses is informed this week that his time as a leader is near the end. God tells him to appoint Joshua as his successor. Joshua was chosen due to his innate leadership abilities and his humility.

Pinchas receives God’s blessing of peace. This is needed since the act that he committed, while necessary, was disturbing to the nation. He also needed it because, even though necessary, he was forced to act in a violent manner.

Today is the 17th of Tamuz, the beginning of the mourning period of the destruction of both Temples. The rabbis made it clear that the reason for the destruction was that Jews mistreated other Jews.

Micah reminds the Jews that God is their ultimate protector. That we should prepare to defend ourselves but that we have to trust in God and follow His commandments.