By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of June 26, 2009 / 4 Tammuz 5769 There is a common theme in three verses at the beginning of the book of Bamidbar, which is echoed in our parsha: “V’ha’zar … more

By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of June 19, 2009 / 27 Sivan 5769 In the midst of the crisis of the spies, a seeming throwaway line is almost completely ignored by the commentaries. As Kalev and … more

By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of June 12, 2009 / 20 Sivan 5769 In a few instances, the Torah describes the very specific role clouds play within the Israelite encampment. In the last four … more

PARSHAT NASO By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of June 5, 2009 / 13 Sivan 5769 As the aftershocks of Shavuot slowly wear off, I find myself thinking about the blessing the kohanim give to the … more

By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of May 29, 2009 / 6 Sivan 5769 What significant moment from Jewish history is celebrated on Shavuot? The giving of the Torah, right? Wrong. Unlike other holidays … more

By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of May 22, 2009 / 28 Iyar 5769 The book of Numbers (Bamidbar) begins with a series of countings of various segments of the population. Most of the tribes had their … more

By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of May 15, 2009 / 21 Iyar 5769 As we close the book of Vayikra, a book with surprisingly sparse narrative, it is interesting to note the span of time that has passed … more

By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of May 8, 2009 / 14 Iyar 5769 In the laws of Rosh Hashana (Shulchan Arukh 581:1), the Rema says the leader of the services, the chazzan (cantor) must be 30 years old … more

Distinctly sanctifying His name By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of May 1, 2009/ 7 Iyar 5769 Over the course of one week, Jews around the world commemorate the destruction that was the … more

By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of April 24, 2009 / 30 Nissan 5769 In Vayikra 13:33 and 14:8-9 we see instances of how people on the road to reassuming a status of “taharah” –– readiness to … more