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The Torah portion of Korach provides a powerful lesson about the consequences of opposing divinely appointed leadership. Together with his supporters, Korach questions Moses and Aaron’s authority and attempts to take over their positions as leaders. This rebellion is not just a political maneuver but a fundamental challenge to the divine order and G‑d’s chosen leaders.
Moses and Aaron’s leadership aimed to maintain unity and guide the people towards their divine mission. This story emphasizes the value of unity and the dangers of internal strife and conflict.

Korach’s challenge was not merely against Moses and Aaron as individuals but against G‑d’s authority and decision. The rebellion demonstrated a lack of faith in G‑d’s choices and a desire to disrupt the established divine order. This teaches us the importance of respecting and accepting divinely appointed leadership.

The severe consequences faced by Korach and his followers highlight the seriousness of opposing G‑d’s will. Their dramatic punishment served as a clear message to the Israelites and actually to the entire humanity about the importance of obedience and faith in G‑d’s plan and His true prophets.

In our generation, we can apply this lesson by respecting the divine and prophetic leadership of our generation, represented by the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Recognizing the authority of leaders who act in accordance with divine principles is crucial. In a world where authority is often questioned, it is important to follow guidance that aligns with the divine seven Noahide laws. These lessons are timeless and applicable to our generation, guiding us in how to approach the beginning of the Messianic Era, which we are already experiencing.

*This is from a series of articles by Rabbi Bernstein Moshe.

In the Torah portion “Shlach,” we see a stark contrast between the Torah reading and the Haftarah, the prophetic reading. In the Torah portion, the spies sent by Moses return to the Israelites with a discouraging report, claiming that conquering the land of Israel is impossible due to the strength and number of its inhabitants. This report demoralizes the people of Israel.

In contrast, the Haftarah- prophetic reading, describes the mission of two spies, Caleb and Joshua, who return with an encouraging report despite facing significant challenges. Pursued by the king of Jericho and forced to hide, they still manage to deliver a positive message, believing that the Israelites can succeed in conquering the land of Israel.

This raises the question: why is there such a contrast between these two readings? The difference lies in their mindsets. The spies sent by Moses relied heavily on their intellect and assessment of the situation, while the two spies in the Haftarah, Caleb, and Joshua, were strong in their trust in Moses and his leadership.

This explains the difference in outcomes. These contrasting stories highlight the importance of belief and trust. When faced with challenges, faith can empower us, even when logic seems discouraging. The Haftarah emphasizes that success depends not just on the situation but also on our perspective, particularly our full trust in Moses’ leadership, which guides the people of Israel in every generation.

*This is from a series of articles by Rabbi Bernstein Moshe.

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Construction is underway! This week the pouring of concrete into the mikveh will be completed.
The Mikveh will be used by the local Jewish community and the many visitors who come annually. Please help us complete the construction as soon as possible by contributing.

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In this Torah portion, Shlach, we can see the power of speech and the evil tongue, especially regarding the land of Israel.  Moses instructed the twelve leaders, one from each tribe, to explore the land and assess its quality, inhabitants, and fortifications. The spies found the land fertile and abundant with milk and honey. They brought back large clusters of grapes as evidence of their richness. 
However, most of the spies also reported big challenges. They mentioned that the inhabitants were strong and lived in fortified cities. They even exaggerated the difficulties, saying that the land “consumes its inhabitants” (Numbers 13:21-33 meaning it was dangerous). Caleb and Joshua disagreed with the negative assessment. They believed that with G-d’s help, the Israelites could conquer the land. They urged the people to trust in G-d’s promise and the leadership of Moses.
Unfortunately, the majority of the spies spread fear and demoralization among the Israelites. Their negative report caused panic, and the people wept, expressing regret about leaving Egypt.  The result of this rebellion against Moses was that ten spies who spread the negative report died from a plague, while Caleb and Joshua were spared. 
This should serve as a valuable lesson about faith in Moses, the greatest prophet, trust, and the consequences of spreading negativity amongst people. It serves as a cautionary tale about the impact of negative speech and the need to focus on G-d’s guidance and true prophets, rather than fear.
Caleb and Joshua were strong in their faith, and trust in G-d and His prophet Moses. Their positive outlook played a crucial role in the Israelites’ journey to the Promised Land. This is also the lesson for our generation, to be strong in the prophecy that was given to our generation, along with the statement that we are the generation of redemption. This will hasten the settlement of all the people of Israel within their land along with overwhelming victory over their enemies.

*This is from a series of articles by Rabbi Bernstein Moshe.

Some sources reveal the presence of non-Jews who observed the Seven Laws of Noah, during the Temple period in Jerusalem. These individuals, called Ger Toshav, lived peacefully alongside the Jewish community and upheld these 7 universal principles.

The term Ger Toshav is established by the story of King David purchasing the Temple Mount in Jerusalem from Araunah the Jebusite (2 Samuel 24). Further confirmation comes from the Babylonian Talmud (Avoda Zara 24b), where Rav Nachman identifies Araunah as a Ger Toshav. This signifies Araunah’s adherence to the Seven Laws of Noah while residing in the Land of Israel during King David’s reign.

Another example comes from Sanhedrin 96a, where the Talmud designates Naaman, the commander of the Aramean army, as a Ger Toshav. The Talmud underlines his observance of the Seven Laws of Noah. Naaman’s high position demonstrates the acceptance and practice of these universal ethical principles by prominent non-Jewish figures during the Temple period.

While we do not know the number of Bnei Noah at that time, the presence of such respected high-ranking Noahides as Naaman and Araunah suggests that others likely followed their path. These references from both the Bible and the Talmud testify to the existence of Bnei Noah, particularly Ger Toshav, living in the Land of Israel and adhering to the Seven Laws of Noah during the Temple period.

As our generation is promised to be the generation of redemption, soon many nations will likely come to see the third Holy Temple in Jerusalem, as mentioned in Isaiah 56:7, “For my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

*This is from a series of articles by Rabbi Bernstein Moshe.