Each of us has his/her own way of strengthening the Jewish People and the State of Israel. It can be through contributions and investments; political action; attending religious services and Torah classes; buying Israeli products; standing up for Israel whenever/wherever possible.

The episode of Mei Merivah (Numbers 20:1-13) is among the most perplexing narratives in the Torah. After the people complain about the lack of water, God commands Moses to take the staff, gather the nation, and speak to the rock so that it will produce water. Instead, Moses rebukes the nation, strikes the rock twice, and water emerges abundantly. God then declares that Moses and Aaron will not lead the people into the Land of Israel.

When making important decisions, one must make pragmatic judgments based on as much fact as possible. To base decisions on wishful thinking and the aid of glib soothsayers is to follow the leadership style of Balak. Failure is an inevitable result.

Recent months have seen ugly manifestations of anti-Zionism throughout the world. The haters have distorted the meaning and mission of Zionism. We need to embrace “Bible Zionism” in every forum to set the record straight.

Kohelet is a philosophical and introspective work that confronts the tension between inherited ideals—wisdom, righteousness, reward—and the painful unpredictability of real life. Among its central themes is the question of whether wealth and wisdom—so extolled by traditional texts like Proverbs—can truly offer a good life.

Rabbi Hayyim Angel will be giving various shiurim/lectures during the coming weeks, including some accessible via Zoom.