Rabbi Jessica E. Locketz is the rabbi and director of education of Temple Emanuel, in Pittsburgh, Pa. Rabbi Locketz oversees family and youth programming, serving as the educational leader of the ...

In this week’s double Torah portion, we read in Chapter 33 of Bamidbar (Numbers) about the many dozens of stopping points where the Jews encamped in the Sinai Desert during our people’s four decades’ ...

Why does the Torah spend an entire chapter outlining all of the Israelites encampments in the desert (Numbers 33)? Rashi, quoting the Midrash, suggests it illustrates God’s love for His people. “It ...

Parashat Mattot opens up by presenting the importance of fulfilling vows. As the Torah states, “He shall not break [yachel] his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth” ...

In the Torah reading of Matot, we’re informed how the tribes of Gad and Reuben were blessed with a significant wealth of flocks. The leadership of those tribes demanded of Moses to let them stay on ...