Afterlife

Heaven and Hell in Jewish Tradition

Jewish sources are conflicted about what happens after we die.

Who Are Messianic “Jews”?

These Christians observe some Jewish practices, but the major Jewish denominations do not recognize their faith as a form of Judaism.

Acheinu: A Prayer for Freeing Captives

For over 1,000 years, this prayer has been recited in the presence of the Torah, when Jews are gathered together.

Ask the Ethicist: Restaurant Politics

Can I keep eating at a restaurant if the owner’s politics disgust me?

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Next Torah Portion

Summary

In this Torah portion, God tells Moses to conduct a census of all the Israelite men over the age of 20. Moses takes up a second census to count all of the Levite men. God gives specific instructions to the Levites about their roles in the Tent of Meeting.

FULL SUMMARY
HAFTARAH SUMMARY

Parashat Bamidbar

Numbers 1:1-4:20

Hosea 2:1-22

Parashat Bamidbar: When Women Are Invisible

How do we make sense of the census commanded in this Torah portion, which specifies only men be counted?


Recharge Now

Our weekly Shabbat newsletter, Recharge, features a thoughtful, timely essay to enrich your Shabbat. Here are a few of our recent pieces:

What Holds Us

Rooting ourselves in sacred story, time, nature and harmony.

Confronting Our Enemies

We don’t need to love our enemies, but we might want to value them.

On the Omer and OrchidsĀ 

The force of life is stronger than death.


MORE from MY JEWISH LEARNING

Kosher Details: Waiting Between Meals

How much time is required between eating meat and dairy?

Ask the Expert: What’s a Jewish Godparent?

Is it an offer you can’t refuse?

The Jews of Argentina

The largest Jewish community in Latin America has struggled through the economic and political upheavals of the 20th century.

36 Questions for Jewish Lovers

Rabbi and marriage counselor Ari Sytner offers 36 questions for Jewish couples to achieve greater intimacy and harmony.

The Kabbalistic Secret of Kissing

What the Zohar teaches about love-making and the coming of the messiah.

The Omer as a Period of Mourning

An overview of the restrictions Jews traditionally observe during the 49 day period between Passover and Shavuot.

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