Torah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef Marcus

Behalotcha part 1 - Raising up the flames

What is the inner meaning of lighting the menorah in a way that the flames arise on their own? What does it mean that “Ahron did not deviate”? 

Behalotecha part 2 - Consecration of the Levites

We’re not in Leviticus anymore, yet the Levites are taken up a lot of the ink. As Rambam taught, anyone can choose to live life like a Levite.

Shlach Part 1 - Free Choice is Given

G-d leaves it up to Moshe to decide whether or not to send the spies. He does, and tells them what to look for and what to bring back.

Behaltocha Part 6 - The "Ahm" Starts Kvetching Again

Was there anything positive that came out of all the kvetching and challenging of G-d and Moses that went on in the desert?

Behalotcha Part 5 - On the Move

After 10 days shy of a year, on the 20th of Iyar, we move from Sinai on (what could have been) a three-day journey to the promised land; 2) Moshe asks Yisro to stay 

Behalotcha Part 4 - Hashem's In Charge...

...and don't wait till you're "settled" to "set up shop." Every day and every moment is a whole world. 

Behalotcha Part 3 - Second Chances

The people who were impure and couldn’t offer the Pesach offering are offered a second chance. And so are we. 

Shlach Part 2: "We were like grasshoppers"

The spies circle the land over 40 days. They return with the mammoth fruits and defeatist report. Caleb and Joshua fight for the truth: if the Creator gives you a job in His world, no giant is tall enough to stop you.

Shlach Part 3: "No reason to fear"

Kalev argues against fear but the Israelites don't buy it. Moses argues with G-d about their fate, which, in end, is that the generation of the Exodus will not enter the Land of Israel, whereas Kalev will inherit Chevron.

Shlach Part 4: The Verdict

Why is the source of ten for a minyan derived from the spies? Two reasons.
What is the "gateway talk" that leas to lashon hara?
Forty years in the desert for the Israelites (except Caleb and Joshua, the Levites, and the women, who all get to enter the Land).