This coming Shabbat's Torah portion, read in Israel on Saturday, June 24th, is Chukat-Balak. This week’s portion opens by describing the process of burning the red heifer and using its ashes for purification. It also tells the stories of the deaths of Miriam and Aaron, Moses’ striking of a rock to bring forth water, a plague of venomous snakes, and battles against the Emorite kings Sihon and Og. Balak tells the story of the Moabite king Balak, who hires Balaam to curse the Israelites. Balaam’s donkey speaks along the way, and Balaam ends up blessing the Israelites. The portion ends with a story about Israelite men sinning with Moabite women and the stabbing of an Israelite and a Midianite. 

Is it true that if someone claims to smell the scent of Moshiach, they will be killed? Read it below.

This week's thoughts by our popular teacher Dr. Benny Benjamin talks about Between a rock and a hard place - Managing generational diversity. Read it below.

Last week, our popular Root Source teacher Rabbi Gedalia Meyer talked about "Korach". Watch it below.

We are delighted to share our lesson Driven 1 with our teacher Rabbi Ken Spiro. Learn it here.

We are also delighted to share our lesson Aaron Loved and Pursued Peace with our teacher Rabbi Elan Adler. Learn it here.

Check below to hear what Dr. Richard Booker and Gidon Ariel have to say. Watch it below.

We sign off with a nice comment and a beautiful photo of Tel Aviv, Israel.

Shalom,

Gidon Ariel and Bob O’Dell  

Root Source Founders

The Israelites battle Sichon and Og, and are victorious. King Balak of Moab retains the sorcerer Balaam to curse the Jewish people. Instead of curses, only blessings come out of his mouth—including prophecies concerning the Messianic redemption. Moabite women entice some of the Israelites to sin, resulting in a plague amongst the Jews. Phinehas zealously kills two of the high-ranking offenders, and the plague comes to an end.

Is it true that if someone claims to smell the scent of Moshiach, they will be killed?

Dear Rabbi,

I am looking for a verse about Moshiach. “When someone says he can smell the scent of Moshiach, he will be killed”.
Is there such information in Judaic texts?

Thank you, Dear Rabbi
Sinem Istanbul

Between a rock and a hard place - Managing generational diversity

Moses had wearied hearing the Israelites’ continued grievances. This was not the kind of job he signed up for. More grumblings were voiced, with people lamenting why they were taken out of Egypt only to die in the desert. 

Korach:

Rabbi Gedalia Meyer's Weekly Torah Study

Nothing says Ego like Korach. So full of obstinance and pride, Korach nearly dragged the entire nation of Israel down with him into the pit of his own stubborn, overblown sense of self importance. We all have bouts of pride and we all find it tough to admit our mistakes. But admitting our errors, saying so clearly, and moving on, is the greatest antidote to the self imposed eternal prison cell that Korach built for himself.

Driven 1

Join Rabbi Ken Spiro as he explores the profound insights and lessons within the Torah Portion Driven 1.

Aaron Loved and Pursued Peace

Discover the enlightening insights of Rabbi Elan Adler as he discusses Aaron Loved and Pursued Peace.

Conversations:

Gidon Ariel and Dr Richard Booker

Here are some of the things that Gidon and Dr Richard Booker talked about:

– There is a God in heaven, and he is the one and only true God, not the gods of the world.
– You’ll never get to your destination if you stop for every dog that barks at you.
– You cannot have a place for offense in your heart

and much more!

We get so many comments!
Here is one from Sherwin Tonty on blog post 

Parashat Vayeshev

"Beautiful story. It foretells, in my opinion, the unfolding of the life of the Jewish Messiah, Yeshua HaMashiac."

Enjoy this photo in Tel Aviv, Israel by Stamatina Kiriazou