Other Thoughts of the Week
- Vayeira - 5785
- Lech Lecha - 5785
- Noach - 5785
- Yom Kippur - 5785
- Rosh Hashanah - 5785
- Ki Savo - 5784
- Ki Teitzei - 5784
- Shoftim - 5784
- Eikev - 5784
- Va'Eschanan - 5784
- Devarim - 5784
- Pinchas - 5784
- Balak - 5784
- Chukas - 5784
- Korach - 5784
- Shelach - 5784
- Behaloscha - 5784
- Shavuos - 5784
- Bechukosai - 5784
- Behar - 5784
- Emor - 5784
- Kedoshim - 5784
- Acharei-Mos - 5784
- Pesach - 5784
- Tazria - 5784
- Shemini - 5784
- Tzav - 5784
- Vayikra - 5724
- Pikudei - 5724
- Vayakheil - 5784
- Ki Sisa - 5784
- Tetzaveh - 5784
- Terumah - 5784
- Mishpatim - 5784
- Yisro - 5784
- Beshalach - 5784
- Bo - 5784
- Va'Era - 5784
- Shemos - 5784
- Vayechi - 5784
- Vayigash - 5784
- Mikeitz - 5784
- Vayeishev - 5784
- Vayishlach - 5784
- Toldos - 5784
- Chayei Sarah - 5784
- Vayeira - 5784
- Lech Lecha - 5784
- Noach - 5784
- Bereishis - 5784
- Yom Kippur - 5784
- Rosh HaShannah - 5784
- Nitzovi-Vayeilech - 5783
- Ki Savo - 5783
- Ki Seitzei - 5783
- Shoftim - 5783
- Re'Eh - 5783
- Eikev - 5783
- Va'Eschanan - 5783
- Devorim - 5783
- Matos-Maasei - 5783
- Pinchas - 5783
- Chukas-Balak - 5783
- Korach - 5783
- Shelach - 5783
- Beha'aloscha - 5783
- Naso - 5783
- Shavuous - 5783
- Bamidbar - 5783
- Emor - 5783
- Acharei Mos-Kedoshim - 5783
- Tazria-Metzora - 5783
- Pesach - 5783
- Vayikra - 5783
- Vayakheil-Pekudei - 5783
- Ki Sisa - 5783
- Tetzaveh - 5783
- Terumah - 5783
- Mishpatim - 5783
- Yisro - 5783
- Beshalach - 5783
- Bo - 5783
- Va'Era- 5783
- Shemos - 5783
- Vayechi - 5783
- Vayigash - 5783
- Vayeishev - 5783
- Vayishlach - 5783
- Vayeitzei - 5783
- Toldos - 5753
- Chayah Sarah - 5783
- Vayeira - 5783
- Lech Lecha - 5783
- Noach - 5783
- Haazinu - 5783
- Rosh Hashanah - 5783
- Ki Savo - 5782
- Ki Teitzei - 5782
- Shoftim - 5782
- Re'Eh - 5782
- Va'Eschanan - 5782
- Devorim - 5782
- Mattos-Maasei - 5782
- Pinchas - 5782
- Balak - 5782
- Chukas - 5782
- Korach - 5782
- Shelach - 5782
- Naso - 5782
- Bechukosai - 5782
- Behar - 5782
- Emor - 5782
- Kedoshim - 5782
- Acharei Mos - 5782
- Pesach - 5782
- Shabbos Hagodol - 5782
- Tazria - 5782
- Shemini - 5782
- Tsav - 5782
- Vayikra - 5782
- Pikudei - 5782
- Vayakheil - 5782
- Ki Sisa - 5782
- Tetzaveh - 5782
- Terumah - 5782
- Mishpatim - 5782
- Yisro - 5782
- Beshalach - 5782
- Bo- 5782
- Shemos - 5782
- Vayechi - 5782
- Vayigash - 5782
- Mikeitz - 5782
- Vayeishev - 5782
- Vayishlach - 5782
- Vayeitzei - 5782
- Toldos - 5782
- Chayei Sarah - 5782
- Vayeira - 5782
- Lech Lecha - 5782
- Noach - 5782
- Ha'Azinu - 5782
- Rosh Hashannah - 5782
- Ki Savo - 5781
- Ki Teitzei - 5781
- Shoftim - 5781
- Re'Eh - 5781
- Eikev - 5781
- Devorim - 5781
- Matos-Maasei - 5781
- Pinchas - 5781
- Balak - 5781
- Chukas - 5781
- Korach - 5781
- Shelach - 5781
- Baha'aloscha - 5781
- Naso - 5781
- Shavuous - 5781
- Behar-Bechukosai - 5781
- Emor - 5781
- Acharei Mos-Kedoshim - 5781
- Tazria-Metzorah - 5781
- Shemini - 5781
- Pesach - 5781
- Vayikra - 5781
- Vayakheil-Pekudei - 5781
- Ki Sisa - 5781
- Tetzaveh - 5781
- Terumah - 5781
- Mishpatim - 5781
- Yisro - 5781
- Beshalach - 5781
- Bo - 5781
- Va'Era - 5781
- Shemos - 5781
- Vayechi - 5781
- Vayigash - 5781
- Mikeitz - 5781
- Vayeishev - 5781
- Vayishlach - 5781
- Vayeitzei -5781
- Toldos - 5781
- Chayei Sarah - 5781
- Vayeira - 5781
- Lech Lecha - 5781
- Noach - 5781
- Bereishis - 5781
- Shabbos Teshuvah - 5781
- Rosh Hashannah - 5781
- Netzovim-Vayeilech - 5780
- Ki Savo - 5780
- Ki Teitzei - 5780
- Shoftim - 5780
- Re'Eh - 5780
- Eikev - 5780
- Va'Eschanan - 5780
- Devorim - 5780
- Matos-Maasei - 5780
- Pinchas - 5780
- Chukas-Balak - 5780
- Korach - 5780
- Shelach - 5780
- Naso - 5780
- Shavuous - 5780
- Bamidbar - 5780
- Behar-Bechukosai - 5780
- Emor - 5780
- Achareir Mos-Kedoshim - 5780
- Tazria-Metzorah - 5780
- Pesach - 5780
- Vayikra - 5780
- Vayakheil-Pekudei - 5780
- Ki Sisa - 5780
- Tetzaveh - 5780
- Terumah - 5780
- Mishpatim - 5780
- Yisro - 5780
- Beshalach - 5780
- Bo - 5780
- Va'Eira - 5780
- Shemos - 5780
- Vayechi - 5780
- Vayigash - 5780
- Chanukah - 5780
- Vayishlach - 5780
- Vayeitzei - 5880
- Toldos - 5780
- Chayei Sarah - 5780
- Vayeira - 5880
- Lech Lecha - 5780
- Noach - 5780
- Ha'azinu - 5780
- Rosh Hashannah - 5780
- Ki Savo - 5779
- Ki Seitzei - 5779
- Shoftim - 5779
- Re'Eh - 5779
- Eikev - 5779
- Va'Eschanan - 5779
- Devorim - 5779
- Matos-Maasei - 5779
- Pinchas - 5779
- Balak - 5779
- Chukas - 5779
- Shelach - Korach - 5779
- Baha'aloscha - 5779
- Naso - 5779
- Shavuos - 5779
- Bechukosai - 5779
- Behar - 5779
- Emor - 5779
- Kedoshim - 5779
- Acharei Mos - 5779
- Pesach - 5779
- Shabbos Hagodol - 5779
- Tazria - 5779
- Shemini - 5779
- Tzav - 5779
- Vayikra - 5779
- Pekudei - 5779
- Vayakheil - 5779
- Ki Sisa - 5779
- Tetzaveh - 5779
- Terumah - 5779
- Mishpatim - 5779
- Yisro - 5779
- Beshalach - 5779
- Bo - 5779
- Va'Era - 5779
- Vayigash - 5779
- Mikeitz - 5779
- Vayeishev - 5779
- Vayishlach - 5779
- Vayeitzei - 5779
- Toldos - 5779
- Chaya Sarah - 5779
- Vayeira - 5779
- Lech Lecha - 5779
- Noach - 5779
- Ha'azinu - 5779
- Rosh Hashannah - 5779
- Ki Savo - 5778
- Ki Teitzei - 5778
- Shoftim - 5778
- Re'Eh - 5778
- Eikev - 5778
- Devorim - 5778
- Matos-Maasei - 5778
- Pinchas - 5778
- Balak - 5778
- Chukas - 5778
- Korach - 5778
- Shelach - 5778
- Beha'aloscha - 5778
- Naso - 5778
- Shavuous - 5778
- Behar-Bechukosai - 5778
- Emor - 5778
- Acharei Mos/Kedoshim - 5778
- Tazria-Metzorah - 5778
- Shemini - 5778
- Pesach - 5778
- Tzav - Shabbos Hagodol - 5778
- Vayikra - 5778
- Vayakheil - Pekudei - 5778
- Ki Sisa - 5778
- Tetzaveh - 5778
- Terumah - 5778
- Mishpatim - 5778
- Yisro - 5778
- Bo - 5778
- Vaera - 5778
- Shemos - 5778
- Vayechi - 5778
- Vayigash - 5778
- Miketz - 5778
- Vayeishev - 5778
- Vayishlach - 5778
- Vayeitzei - 5778
- Toldos - 5778
- Chayei Sarah - 5778
- Vayeira - 5778
- Lech Lecha - 5778
- Noach - 5778
- Yom Kippur - 5778
- Rosh Hashannah - 5778
- Ki Savo - 5777
- Ki Teitzei - 5777
- Re'Eh - 5777
- Eikev - 5777
- Vaeschanan - 5777
- Devorim - 5777
- Pinchas - 5777
- Balak - 5777
- Chukas - 5777
- Korach - 5777
- Shelach - 5777
- Behaaloscha - 5777
- Shavuous - 5777
- Behar-Bechukosai - 5777
- Emor - 5777
- Acharei Mos-Kedoshim - 5777
- Tazria-Metzorah - 5777
- Shemini - 5777
- Pesach - 5777
- Vayikra - 5777
- Vayakheil-Pekudei - 5777
- Ki Sisa - 5777
- Purim - 5777
- Terumah - 5777
- Mishpatim - 5777
- Yisro - 5777
- Beshalach - 5777
- Bo - 5777
- Va'era - 5777
- Shemos - 5777
- Vayechi - 5777
- Vayigash - 5777
- Miketz - 5777
- Vayeishev - 5777
- Vayishlach - 5777
- Vayeitzei - 5777
- Toldos - 5777
- Chayei Sarah - 5777
- Vayeira - 5777
- Lech Lecha - 5777
- Noach - 5777
- Succos - 5777
- Rosh Hashannah - 5777
- KI Savo - 5776
- Ki Teitzei - 5776
- Shoftim - 5776
- Re'eh - 5776
- Eikev - 5776
- Va'Eschanan - 5776
- Devorim - 5776
- Matos-Maasei - 5776
- Pinchas - 5776
- Balak - 5776
- Chukas - 5776
- Shelach/Korach - 5776
- Beha'aloscha - 5776
- Naso - 5776
- Shavuous - 5776
- Bechukosai - 5776
- Behar - 5776
- Emor - 5776
- Kedoshim - 5776
- Achrei Mos - 5776
- Pesach - 5776
- Metzorah - 5776
- Tazria - 5776
- Shemini - 5776
- Tzav - 5776
- Vayikra - 5776
- Pikudei - 5776
- Vayakheil - 5776
- Ki Sisa - 5776
- Tetzaveh - 5776
- Terumah - 5776
- Mishpatim - 5776
- Yisro - 5776
- Beshalach - 5776
- Bo - 5776
- Vaera - 5776
- Shemos - 5776
- Vayechi - 5776
- Vayigash - 5776
- Mikeitz - 5776
- Vayeishev - 5776
- Vayishlach - 5776
- Vayeitzei - 5776
- Toldos - 5776
- Chaya Sarah - 5776
- Vayera - 5776
- Lech Lecha - 5776
- Noach - 5776
- Bereishis - 5776
- Sukkos - 5776
- Rosh Hashannah - 5776
- Ki Savo - 5775
- Ki Teitzei - 5775
- Re'eh - 5775
- Eikev - 5775
- Vaeschanan - 5775
- Devorim - 5775
- Matos-Maasei - 5775
- Pinchas - 5775
- Balak - 5775
- Chukas - 5775
- Korach - 5775
- Shelach - 5775
- Behaaloscha - 5775
- Naso - 5775
- Shavuos - 5775
- Behar - Bechoukosai - 5775
- Emor - 5775
- Achrei Mos - Kedoshim - 5775
- Tazria-Metzorah - 5775
- Shemini - 5775
- Pesach - 5775
- Tzav - Shabbos Hagodol - 5775
- Vayikra - 5775
- Vayakhel-Pekudei - 5775
- Ki Sisa - 5775
- Tetzaveh - 5775
- Terumah - 5775
- Mishpatim - 5775
- Yisro - 5775
- Beshalach - 5775
- Bo - 5775
- Vaera - 5775
- Shemos - 5775
- Vayigash/Vayechi - 5775
- Miketz - 5775
- Vayeishev - 5775
- Vayishlach - 5775
- Vayetze - 5775
- Toldos - 5775
- Chaya Sarah - 5775
- Noach - 5775
- Yom Kippur - 5775
- Rosh Hashana - 5775
- Ki Savo - 5774
- Ki Tetse - 5774
- Shoftim - 5774
- Re'eh - 5774
- Eikev - 5774
- Va'Eschanan - 5774
- Devorim - 5774
- Maasei - 5774
- Matos - 5774
- Pinchas - 5774
- Balak - 5774
- Chukas - 5774
- Korach - 5774
- Shelach - 5774
- Shavuot - 5774
- Bamidbar - 5774
- Bechukosai - 5774
- Behar - 5774
- Emor - 5774
- Kedoshim - 5774
- Pesach - 5774
- Metzorah - 5774
- Tazria - 5774
- Shemini - 5774
- Tzav - Zachor - 5774
- Vayikra - 5774
- Pekudei - Shekalim - 5774
- Vayakheil - 5774
- Tezaveh, Ki Sisa - 5774
- Terumah - 5774
- Mishpatim - 5774
- Yisro - 5774
- Beshalach - 5774
- Bo - 5774
- Vaeira - 5774
- Shemot - 5774
- Vayechi - 5774
- Vayigash - 5774
- Mikeitz - 5774
- Vayeishev - 5774
- Vayishlach - 5774
- Vayetze - 5774
- Chaya Sara - Toldot - 5774
- Vayera - 5774
- Lech Lecha - 5774
- Noach - 5774
- Yom Kippur - 5774
- Rosh Hashanah - 5774
- Ki Tavo - 5773
- Ki Tetze - 5773
- Shoftim - 5773
- Re'eh - 5773
- Ekev - 5773
- Vaeschanan - 5773
- Devorim - 5773
- Matos-Massei 5773
- Pinchas - 5773
- Balak - 5773
- Chukat - 5773
- Korach - 5773
- Shelach - 5773
- B'ha'aloscha -5773
- Bamidbar - Shavuot - 5773
- Behar-Bechukosai - 5773
- Emor - 5773
- Achrei-Kedoshim - 5773
- Tazria/Metzorah - 5773
- Pesach - 5773
- Vayikra - 5773
- Vayakheil - Pekudei - 5773
- Ki Tisa - 5773
- Purim - 5773
- Terumah - 5773
- Mishpatim - 5773
- Yitro - 5773
- Beshalach - 5773
- Bo - 5773
- Va'Era - 5773
- Shemot - 5773
- Vayigash-Vayechi - 5773
- Miketz - 5773
- Vayeshev - 5773
- Vayishlach - 5773
- Vayetzei - 5773
- Toldos - 5773
- Chaye Sarah - 5773
- Vayera - 5773
- Lech Lecha - 5773
- Noach - 5773
- Bereishis - 5773
- Succot - 5773
- Rosh Hashanah - 5772
- Ki Tavo - 5772
- Ki Tetze - 5772
- Shoftim - 5772
- Re'eh - 5772
- Ekev - 5772
- Vaetchanan - 5772
- Devorim - 5772
- Matos/Massei - 5772
- Pinchas - 5772
- Balak - 5772
- Chukat - 5772
- Korach - 5772
- Shelach - 5772
- Behalotcha - 5772
- Naso - 5772
- Bamidbar-Shavuot - 5772
- Behar-Bechukotai - 5772
- Emor - 5772
- Acharei-Kedoshim - 5772
- Tazria-Metzora - 5772
- Shemini - 5772
- Pesach - 5772
- Tzav - Shabbat Hagodol - 5772
- Vayikra - 5772
- Vayakheil-Pekudei - 5772
- Ki Tisah - 5772
- Tetzaveh - Purim - 5772
- Terumah - 5772
- Mishpatim - 5772
- Yitro - 5772
- Beshalach - 5772
- Bo - 5772
- Vaera - 5772
- Shemot - 5772
- Vayigash/Vayechi - 5772
- Miketz - 5772
- Vayeshev - 5772
- Vayishlach - 5772
- Vayeitze - 5772
- Toldot - 5772
- Chaye Sara - 5772
- Vayeira - 5772
- Lech Lecha - 5772
- Noach - 5772
- Succot - 5772
- Yomim Noraim - 5772
- Netzavim-Vayelech - 5771
- Ki Tavo - 5771
- Ki Tetze - 5771
- Shoftim - 5771
- Reeh - 5771
- Ekev - 5771
- Vaeschanan - 5771
- Devarim - 5771
- Massei - 5771
- Mattot - 5771
- Pinchas - 5771
- Balak - 5771
- Chukat - 5771
- Korach - 5771
- Shelach - 5771
- Shavuot - 5771
- Bamidbar - 5771
- Emor
- Tzav
- Chukas
Thought of the Week: Balak - 5778
LOOKING INTO THE PROPER TENT
The Torah tells us that after Bilaam realized that Hashem was determined to bless Israel, he did not resort to divination as before. Instead, he turned and looked out toward the wilderness, where he saw the people of Israel camped, tribe by tribe. We are told that the Spirit of Hashem came upon him, and he said, "How beautiful are your tents, O Yaakov; how lovely are your homes, O Israel!"
These words have become part of our daily service. Many people, as they enter into the sanctuary of a synagogue, utter these exact words.
Rashi notes that Bilaam was inspired by the fact that the tents of the Children of Israel in the wilderness were arranged so that their entrances did not face one another. Thus, privacy and personal dignity were preserved, even as they lived in great proximity.
The idea of not looking into the tent of others is important for another reason as well. Although Judaism believes that it is important to be inspired by the good actions of others, one should not live a life trying to become another person. Every person was born with his or her unique mission, and attempting to imitate the life of someone else is not the intent of our Creator.
Not looking into the other tent is a reminder that a successful life is when a person maximizes their own potential, and thus fulfills their personal assignment in this world.
Shabbat Shalom