Limmud Insights
Each week, Limmud Insights, a program of Limmud in the UK, offers insight on the weekly Torah reading from educators who have been presenters at Limmud events throughout the world, together with alternative voices sharing a thought on the themes raised by the text.
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Every week A Taste of Limmud brings Limmudniks a chance to learn from some of the most exciting and innovative Jewish educators from around the world. Subject: Chaim Weiner on Korach Korach and his followers challenge Moses’ and Aharon’s leadership, and are swallowed by the earth and consumed by fire. A rebellion breaks out among the people, resulting in a plague which kills 14,700 people. A test reconfirms Aharon’s appointment as High Priest. The duties of the Priests and Levites, and their share in the produce, are described.
READ MORE Subject: Benjamin Ellis on Shelach Shelach lecha is famous for the opening passage containing a description of the 12 spies entering the land of Israel. But it continues with those ubiquitous complaints about life in the desert from the children of Israel. It talks of sacrifice and a man found gathering sticks on the Sabbath who is stoned to death. It ends with what is now the third paragraph of the Shema – the command to make fringes in the corners of garments.
READ MORE Subject: Sandy Littman on Behaalotecha Aaron prepares the lamps for the menorah. The observance of Passover is recounted. The people complain about their situation and Moses feels unable to cope. Miriam is stricken with leprosy.
READ MORE Subject: Mimi Feigelson on Naso The families of Gershon and Merari are assigned to carry parts of the Mishkan. A range of laws are then described, including when someone is sent outside the camp, the laws of one accused of adultery, and the laws of the Nazir, one who voluntary accepts upon themselves a range of restrictions. The parsha concludes by describing the sacrifices brought by each tribe at the altar’s inauguration.
READ MORE Subject: Charles Heller on Bamidbar Bamidbar is the name both of this week’s sidra and of the book in the Bible it starts (in English the book of Numbers). If you think of the most hair-raising table plan for a huge wedding or the biggest accommodation logistical nightmare for a Limmud conference, you’re only beginning to understand the complexities described in this sidra. It describes the camp of Israel in loving detail of how many people there were in each tribe and where they were positioned in the camp.
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