Our Parsha deals with a full-blown disagreement and argument between Korach and our leader Moshe. Korach was offended because he was overlooked when Moshe chose a younger cousin to a prestigious position. Of course, Moshe chose the younger cousin through the instruction of G-d, however, Korach couldn’t handle it. He became incensed and decided to …
Category: 5783
Jun 15
Confidence!
- By Dovid Saks in 5783, Bamidbar
Back in 1984, when I first arrived in Israel, it took me some time to understand and converse in the language, since I had limited exposure to modern Ivrit. One situation that sticks out in my mind was when a person asked me to dial a number for him from a pay phone. A bit …
Jun 08
Elevated Air!
- By Dovid Saks in 5783, Bamidbar
Over the past few days the northeastern parts of the US have been experiencing a haze and a strong smell of smoke which is emanating from a large forest fire in Quebec, some hundreds of miles away. I found it fascinating that I was walking outside in Scranton PA and thinking there was a raging …
Jun 01
1500th Edition!
- By Dovid Saks in 5783, Bamidbar
The Torah mandates that produce that is grown in the land of Israel is subject to certain tithes. A percentage is given to a Kohain; after that, a tenth is given to a Levite. The Levite in turn gives a percentage of his gift to a Kohain. Additionally, dependent on the year of the Sabbatical …
May 18
Valued!
- By Dovid Saks in 5783, Bamidbar
In this week’s Parsha, G-d commands Moshe to take a census of the Jewish males ranging from 20-60 years of age. The total came to 603,550. Moshe was also instructed to take two additional censuses. One, of the tribe of Levi, and another of the first-born males. The total for the Levites came to …
May 11
Admiration!
- By Dovid Saks in 5783, Vayikra
This week, while studying Daf Yomi – a systematic worldwide daily page of Talmud study – I came across the following. The Gemorah/Talmud asks, what words do the congregation recite when the Chazon recites Modim/Thanks during his repetition of the Amidah. The Gemorah quotes the opinions of five Sages. Each one presented a particular expression …
May 04
Courtesy!
- By Dovid Saks in 5783, Vayikra
The Torah instructs us to count each day from the second day of Pesach for 49 days until the Holiday of Shavuos. Today is the 28th day of the Omer count, which means the holiday of Shavuos will be in three weeks. The Sefiras Ha’Omer counting period is observed as a semi-mourning period. There are …
Apr 27
Priorities!
- By Dovid Saks in 5783, Vayikra
Israeli journalist, Sivan Rahav-Meir recently wrote about a group of Israeli teenagers who were finalists in an international competition of robotics in Houston, Texas. Their team consisted of students from the Amit High School in Modi’in and had succeeded in reaching the final stage of the competition which was held on Shabbat. They wrote a …
Apr 20
Optimism!
- By Dovid Saks in 5783, Vayikra
The month of Nissan was chosen as the first month of the lunar calendar year because that is when G-d instructed Moshe in the laws determining that Rosh Chodesh is at the first appearance of the moon. Nissan holds a special place for G-d, since in this month He freed His nation from Egypt and …
Mar 23
No Eggs!
- By Dovid Saks in 5783, Vayikra
This week’s entire Torah portion consists of the laws of the various sacrifices that were offered in the Temple. The first blood taken from an animal or a bird sacrifice was dashed in a certain way on the Altar and certain fats of the animal were offered on the Altar. The Torah forbids us to …
Jewish Heritage Connection
Rabbi Dovid Saks, Director
601 Jefferson Ave.
Scranton, PA 18510
(570) 346-1321
Shabbat Candle Lighting Time
Shabbat Times for Apr 18, 2025
,
Candle Lighting Time: 11:42 PM
Developed by AdatoSystems.com.
Key features by Hebcal.com.
,
Candle Lighting Time: 11:42 PM
Developed by AdatoSystems.com.
Key features by Hebcal.com.