Parashat Shelah: On Decision Making, Responsibility, and Maturity
The famous story about twelve men, sent on a reconnaissance mission to the Land of Canaan, has two contradicting versions in the Torah. According to the first version, in this week’s Parasha, God initiated the mission, while according to the second, in Deut. 1:19-46, the Israelites requested it. In the first version the men are […]
Prophets & Profits: People Follow How You View Yourself
People Follow How You View Yourself Shlach and Business Numbers 13:33 In our eyes, we looked like grasshoppers, and so we were in their eyes. If we disrespect ourselves, others will too. On the other hand, if we have healthy confidence and positivity, others will follow our lead. Recently, have you been viewing yourself positively […]
Prophets & Profits: The Myth of the Lone Leader
Numbers 11:14 Alone I cannot carry this entire people, for it is too much for me. The complaints of the people got too overwhelming to Moses, beyond the limits of his capabilities. So he appointed elders as assistants to ease the burden. Now there was no longer a single point of failure. This required more […]
Prophets & Profits: Receptivity to Abundance
Receptivity to Abundance Nasso and Business Numbers 6:24-26 May Hashem bless you and protect you. May Hashem deal kindly and graciously with you. May Hashem bestow divine favor upon you and grant you peace. The priestly blessings increase in order of importance. First, we are blessed for material sustenance. Second, in relationship to others in […]
Prophets & Profits: Complementary Divisions
Complementary Divisions Bamidbar and Business Numbers 2:2 The Israelites shall camp each man with his standard under the banners of their ancestral house. They shall camp around the Tent of the Meeting at a distance. To build a functioning whole, its parts must be able to express themselves individually. A common vision with shared values […]
Prophets & Profits: The Giving Cycle
The Giving Cycle Bechukotai and Business Leviticus 26:10 You shall eat old grain long stored, and you shall have to clear out the old to make room for the new. Surround yourself with wise mentors who have done what you’re doing. Integrate their learnings into your own. Make your specific mark on the world. Then […]
Prophets & Profits: Self-Deceit Precedes Fraud
Self-Deceit Precedes Fraud Behar and Business Leviticus 25:14 Do not defraud one another. It’s obvious that we shouldn’t defraud others. Sometimes we miss a more crucial detail: not to defraud ourselves. In what ways have you lied to yourself? How has it affected you? How has it affected others? Shabbat Shalom!
Prophets & Profits: Divine Flow at Work
Divine Flow at Work Emor and Business Leviticus 23:21 It shall be a sacred occasion for you; you shall not work at your occupations. Not working on a holiday gives us the space to experience the present moment at its fullest. Now imagine how much happier and more productive we are, when we bring that […]
Parashat Kedoshim: Be Unique – For I Am!
דַּבֵּ֞ר אֶל־כָּל־עֲדַ֧ת בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל וְאָמַרְתָּ֥ אֲלֵהֶ֖ם קְדֹשִׁ֣ים תִּהְי֑וּ כִּ֣י קָד֔וֹשׁ אֲנִ֖י יְיָ אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them: You shall be holy; for I YHWH your God, am holy. The word קדוש is traditionally translated as holy. The more meticulous commentators explain that קדוש means separate, designated, […]
Ahare Mot – Parasha Pointers
Chapter 16, verses 1-34, describes with great detail the process which would allow the Cohen Gadol (High Priest) to enter the Holy of Holies once a year, on Yom Kippur. While the Cohen was in the Holy of Holies, he was not allowed to touch anything, let alone open the holy Ark. Inside the Ark […]
