Explore every episode of the podcast Bamidbar/Numbers With Rabbi Mendel Kaplan

Chumash Climax ~ the Final Verses that Conclude Sefer Bamidbar How Torah Speaks of Sacred Sisters — The Daughters of Destiny (Bnot #Tzlofchad) who inherited the Holy Land!

Parsha Climax — The Final Verse of Pinchas Holiday Highs: Tough Talking vs Softly Spoken Surprising distinctions between parallel Torah teachings!

The 4th book of Torah called Desert, opens with a date, is all about of love —what does that mean! Parshat Bamidbar, 2nd Portion (Numbers 1:20-1:54) Why is this book called DESERT ? ‬ ‪Why does it open with a DATE ? ‬ ‪Why is that indicative of LOVE ? ‬ ‪Why should this make us happy ?‬

Falling Land ~ Sacred Scrimmages and Borders Parshat Matot-Massei Massei’s Concluding Lesson — Fifth Portion

The Many Tales of Our Journeys Parshat Masei’s Grand Opening!

! The tribes of Gad and Reuven seemed to have answered SHEEP!!! What in heaven were they thinking ?!?! Parshat Matot-Massei, 3rd Portion

A High Priest’s Opening Address: Three Purification Procedures! Parshat Matot-Massei, 2nd Portion (Numbers 31:13-31:54)

The Nature of Daily Devotion and Ongoing Offerings in the Beit HaMikdash Parshat Pinchas, 5th Portion

Joshua’s Rise to Royalty Parshat Pinchas, 4th Portion

Holy-Land Division and the Talking Lottery Ticket Parshat Pinchas, 3rd Portion

Parshat Pinchas, 2nd Portion

Rise like a Lion Parshat Balak —Fifth Portion

Parsha Climax — The Closing verses of Shelach: Code Blue and the Eight-day-Wait from the Exodus to Song-at-Sea!

Visions of Mountain Peaks and Hilltops Parshat Balak — Fourth Reading

What’s Up with Bilaam’s Restraining Angel? Making sense of the Heavenly Force that was sent to stop Bilaam from his evil journey to curse the Jewish people which ultimately led to his self-destruction! Parshat Balak — Third Reading

Evil Enthusiasm vs Inspired Dedication Parshat Balak, 2nd Portion (Numbers 22:13-22:20) How does Bilaam’s riding like a leopard early in the morning earn merits that need to be balanced by the exceptional devotion of our Patriarch Abraham?!!

Aftermath! Death of a Desert High Priest and the Ensuing Fallout Parshat Chukat —Fifth Reading

Edom Encounter — a Tale of Two Confrontations Israel’s non-confrontational confrontation with Edom. A failed attempt, despite best on intentions... Because sticking to country backroads and using only rivers for hydration, wasn’t enough to inhibit the unwarranted hate. Parshat Chukat —Fourth Reading

Anatomy of National Thirst and Kvetching Parshat Chukat 2nd and 3rd Reading

How Giving Dough Removes Idolatry Parshat Shelach - 6th Portion

When Moses Mustered Mercy in Defense of Our Nation! Parshat Shelach — Third Reading

Our Trailblazing Ark — And the Directions it Provides Behaalotcha —Fifth Reading

The Original GPS: Ancient Journeys, Modern Lessons! Behaalotcha — Fourth Reading

Opening verses of Parshat Shelach ~ Law & Order: How the lessons unlearnt led to a national disaster!

When Silence is a Sin —How ancient acquiescence serves as a call to protest today! Behaalotcha — Third Reading

Is Early Retirement a Good Idea? How the Lifting of Levite Loads is A Lesson for Life Today! Parshat Behaalotcha — Second Reading

Wagons of Wherewithal —Learning to Manage Our Loads! Parshat Naso —Fifth Reading

Parshat Naso — The conclusion of the 4th Reading

Firstling Fruit Lessons: Post-Shavuot inspiration Parshat Naso — Third Reading

Infants of Influence! The Power of Levite Babies Bamidbar —Fifth Reading

Source of Life: How we can be reborn and find fresh strength each day! Bamidbar — Fourth Reading

Levites, Scrimmages and Sections: Why the divisional separations are critical to safety and sanctity! Bamidbar —Second Reading

Why did Moses himself need to map out the land of Israel’s future boundaries? Parshat Matot-Massei, 5th Portion (Numbers 33:50-34:15)

Are dramatically differing Torah narratives necessarily mutually exclusive? Parshat Matot-Massei, 4th Portion (Numbers 32:20-33:49)

Beha'alotecha Climax: Timely Torah on Racism, Sexism, Quarantine and Honoring a Heroine!

"Right of Refusal?" Making sense of the Tribe of Reuben & Gad’s sheepish refusal to enter the Land of Israel?! Parshat Matot-Massei, 3rd Portion (Numbers 32:1-32:19)

Why were Korbanot brought on behalf of all nations only on Sukkot? Parshat Pinchas, 7th Portion (Numbers 29:12-30:1)

Moses appointed Joshua regally as the next ruler, but why wasn’t he anointed royally? Parshat Pinchas, 4th Portion (Numbers 27:6-27:23)

Parsha Curiosities: Parshat Pinchas Cracking the Code on mysterious themes & ideas in the weekly Parsha! ’ Upon divine confirmation that he wouldn’t enter the Promised Land, Moses forcefully asks G-d to assure him that the Children of Israel not be left like a “flock without a shepherd.” Our Sages highlight the unique introductory sentence, telling us that it’s a one-of-a-kind biblical verse! Rashi elucidates how it expresses the ultimate paradigm of true leadership and the selfless nature of Moses. At this fateful moment, his response was single-minded concern for his people. Yet Rashi comments on the very next verse that Moses said “it’s time to ask for my own needs, that my son should inherit my high position.” How can we reconcile this egregiously glaring inconsistency?

The lots drawn to allocate portions of the Holy Land had to speak miraculously! Why?! Parshat Pinchas, 3rd Portion (Numbers 26:52-27:5)

Decades after being swallowed alive, Korach’s children emerge from the abyss, but appear somehow askew... what in Heaven actually transpired?! Parshat Pinchas, 2nd Portion (Numbers 26:5-26:51)

"Shema Zoo" If the Shema’s best recited like an attack lion; why not invoke wolf-like zeal as well? Parshat Balak, 5th Portion (Numbers 23:13-23:26)

"The Dirt on Mitzvot" In his parable, Baalam likens Hashem’s Mitzvot to soil. Was that an insult? Parshat Balak, 4th Portion (Numbers 22:39-23:12)

Parsha Curiosities: Parshat Balak Cracking the Code on mysterious themes & ideas in the weekly Parsha! Balaam’s famous prophetic words “Ma Tovu” occupy a unique place of prominence in the Hebrew Scriptures, our daily prayers and Jewish liturgical compositions. Oftentimes even emblazoned on Holy Ark’s and Synagogue facades, they clearly contain many marvelous mysteries and secrets. Following a general intro, we initiate analysis of Rashi’s seemingly lackluster elucidation, which leads us into a journey of profound discovery as we mine the verse to reveal dynamic dimensions of insight. In the end, our return to the primary port of departure resonates with timely and relevant guidance about the singular importance of modesty in our modern age of hyper-promiscuity.

"A Shy Angel" Why wasn’t the messenger of mercy sent to save Baalam from evil more forceful? Parshat Balak, 3rd Portion (Numbers 22:21-22:38)

Inspiring Intellectuality by Kindling Prayerful Passion! Parshat Behaalotecha The opening verses of Beha’alotecha

"Love & Hate" Baalam’s bitterness and hate contrasts with Abraham’s enthusiasm and love! Parshat Balak, 2nd Portion (Numbers 22:13-22:20)

"First Strike" In the aftermath of Aaron’s passing, everyone mourns, but then enemies attack! Parshat Chukat, 5th Portion (Numbers 20:22-21:9)

"The Moshe Method" Discover unique ‘Moses Methodology’ when our nation confronts Edom! Parshat Chukat, 4th Portion (Numbers 20:14-20:21)

"The Women’s Well" Synopsis: Miriam’s merit brought the water; while Moses’ provided the Manna. Why was the Jewish people’s miraculous desert sustenance divided along “gender specifics"? Parshat Chukat, 2nd Portion (Numbers 19:18-20:6)