Latest Essays

“And this is the Torah that Moses Placed Before the Children of Israel” —Numbers 9:23

Viewing the Divine as transcendent and without a physical presence in the world, the authors of Deuteronomy recast earlier stories to show that the Torah—and by extension God—is nonetheless “very close to you.”

When the values of land tenure and patriarchy collide. 

Consanguinidad versus Mandamientos

Numbers 32 combines two versions of how Gad and Reuven receive Moses’ permission to settle the Transjordan. The non-Priestly story emphasizes fraternity and kinship, while the Priestly version emphasizes law and obedience to YHWH. By synthesizing them, the redactor suggests that law can serve as a pillar around which the Israelite community can coalesce.

An analysis of why the approach taken by TheTorah.com has found such a large audience among the Orthodox at this time.

The Revelation of the Divine Voice Within 

A Pagan “Prophet Like Moses”

The biblical text is ambiguous about the death of Korach following his rebellion, leading later interpreters to disagree over exactly how he died.

Why did Moses emphasize a donkey of all things?

Caleb and Joshua or only Caleb?