Hal Miller

Shabbat Parashat Chukat/Balak - 5786 Rabbi Hal Miller God's wrath flared because he was going, and an angel of God stood on the road as an impediment to him. [Bamidbar 22:22] The angel of Hashem said to Bilaam, "Go with the men but only the word that I shall speak to you, that shall you speak." [Bamidbar 22:35] At first glance it appears that the instructions Bilaam received from on High were contradictory. In verse 22:12, "God said to Bilaam, 'You shall not go with t

Shabbat Parashat Korach - 5786 Rabbi Hal Miller The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households and all the people who were with Korach, and all their possessions. [Bamidbar 16:32] They and all that was theirs descended alive to the pit, the earth covered them over and they were lost from among the congregation. [Bamidbar 16:33] Who actually died in this episode, and how? Who did not die? Beginning with 16:21, God tells Moshe that He is about to des

Shabbat Parashat Shelach - 5786 Rabbi Hal Miller See the land, what is it, and the people that dwells in it, is it strong or weak, is it few or numerous? [Bamidbar 13:18] And how is the land in which it dwells, is it good or bad, and how are the cities in which it dwells, is it in open cities or in fortified cities? [Bamidbar 13:19] What was the purpose of the sending out of the spies? There are two obvious options, but which was the intent of God and Moshe? The first

Shabbat Parashat Beha'alotecha - 5786 Rabbi Hal Miller God said to Moshe, gather for Me seventy men from the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and its officers, take them to the Tent of Meeting and have them stand there with you. [Bamidbar 11:16] Why is God telling Moshe to collect up a court of elders? Why seventy? This was not the first time Moshe had collected elders for a similar role, nor was it the last time. What happened to the earli