Do you know anything about early Zionism?

Published: Tue, 07/01/25

Updated: Wed, 07/02/25

"The Lord said to Moses, “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink."

Numbers 20:7-8

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Hi friend,

This coming Shabbat's Torah portion, read on Saturday, July 5th, is Parashat Chukat. This week's Torah reading, Chukat, begins with a discussion regarding the laws of the red heifer. Miriam and Aaron die. When the Jews are in need of water, Moses strikes a rock – despite being commanded to talk to it. Waters stream forth, but Moses is banned from entering Israel. Amalek battles the Israelites and is defeated. Edom and Moab refuse the Israelites passageway to Israel. The Israelites battle Sichon and Og, and are victorious.

We recently found this engaging and informative video on Judaism by Matt Baker of UsefulCharts.com and thought it was especially on target—watch below and let us know what you think.

Please enjoy this teaching of our beloved Root Source teacher, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz of blessed memory, about this week's Torah portion, Hukkat, and share your thoughts with us!

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

Take part in the inspiring lesson Additive Letters with Teacher Seth Young. Learn more below.

Our Q2 2025 Board Meeting is now available—see the latest financial snapshot and progress since Q1. Watch it below.

Check below to hear what Gidon Ariel and Philip E. Steele have to share . Watch it below.

We sign off with a nice comment and a beautiful photo of Jordan Valley.

Shalom,

Gidon Ariel and Bob O’Dell
Root Source Founders

Parashat Chukat

G‑d tells Moses and Aaron to take a staff and gather the people in front of a certain rock. They should speak to the rock, and it will give forth water. Moses and Aaron gather everybody, and Moses strikes the rock and it gives forth water. In the course of this episode they committed a grave error, the conventional explanation being that they struck the rock instead of speaking to it. This caused G‑d to punish Moses and Aaron, barring them from leading the Jews into Israel.

Parashat Hukkat: Between Two Worlds: The Irreplaceable Essence of the Tzaddik

In Parashat Hukkat the matter of the death of the righteous appears twice: once in connection with Miriam and a second time in connection with Aaron. The death of the righteous presents us with a fundamental paradox that our sages understood when they connected Miriam’s death to the laws of the red cow. When a tzaddik departs from this world, we experience two types of loss: the measurable absence of their function, which can potentially be filled by successors, and the unmeasurable loss of their unique spiritual essence, which creates an irreplaceable void.

Learn here

Korach:
Rabbi Gedalia Meyer's Weekly Torah Study

We all take chances. Even Moshe, when confronted with a rebellious Korach and his crew, took a chance at quelling the uprising via an incense offering challenge. Did it work out as Moshe had hoped? Not so much. But sometimes, when confronted with difficult situations requiring swift responses, we need to take our chances.

Watch the video

Additive Letters

In this first of two sessions on Additive Letters (Genesis 1–29), teacher Seth Young presents a comprehensive list of all prefix, suffix, and middle additive letters used in Biblical Hebrew grammar. Gain deeper insight into how these essential elements function in the Hebrew text as part of our ongoing Biblical Hebrew series from Root Source.

Learn here

Q2 2025 Board Meeting

Root Source held its Quarter 2 Board Meeting on Thursday, June 26, 2025. The meeting included a financial snapshot and key updates since the Q1 Board Meeting on March 25, 2025. Review the latest progress and insights in the full meeting summary.

Learn here

Conversations:

Gidon Ariel and Philip E. Steele - June 17, 2024

Gidon and Philip engaged in a wide-ranging discussion that covered personal updates, current events, and academic pursuits, with a particular emphasis on the historical roots and development of Zionism.

Watch the video

Comments

We get so many comments!
Here is one from Linda Traylor on
Situation Update from the Orbachs in Israel

"Thank you for this very personal look at what your life is like and how it has been for so long, You did come as close as possible to allowing us to live with you for a few moments, I only wish I could share this with others who want to know. But I do know I can now pray with more understanding and compassion. All I can say to you besides “Thank you” is “Hang on! You are showing everyone how to survive with your positive mental outlook and inner joy in tact.”"

Jordan Valley

Enjoy this photo taken in Jordan Valley by Eddie & Carolina Stigson.

Blessings and Shalom,
Bob and Gidon

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