This week's parsha

Unless otherwise noted, "This week's Parsha" comprises articles taken from contributors to the Chabad.org website. We show the original author's name here, so that proper attribution is given. For the sake of brevity, footnotes cited in the original author's writings are omitted from this website. If you need to see the citations, please refer to the original articles on the Chabad.org website.

Leadership by Example

Published: 25 July 2016 | Written by Zalman Posner

Moses' life is drawing to a close. The devoted leader is concerned about his successor in whose hands the future of Israel is to be entrusted. Moses' successor, of course, was not Joshua alone, but all those who affect Israel's fate, all who presume to lead Moses' people, through all generations. In his prayer Moses expresses the qualifications of Israel's leader in simple yet all-inclusive terms. (See Numbers 27:15-23)

Counting Other People's Money

Published: 18 July 2016 | Written by Rochel Holzkenner

“Modesty is one of my more outstanding qualities.” -- Anonymous.

Growing up, there was a song I’d enjoy from an album called Journeys. It was a parody about wedding extravagance. In the song, a man tells his friend about the wedding he’s planning for his daughter. Flowers would be imported from overseas, a 100-person band would entertain the guests with their symphony and an outlandish Viennese table would culminate the meal. Finally, each guest would receive a token gift before leaving: an entire set of the Talmud.

“But what about modesty?” asks his friend after hearing of the lavish plans.

An Honest Man

Published: 11 July 2016 | Written by Elisha Greenbaum

This past week, I met an honest man.

The owner of a small clothing store, he is a charming man with a fascinating backstory, and it was a pleasure to get to know him. But what really fascinated me was a throwaway remark he made near the end of our conversation.

Earlier, he had told me how much he enjoyed building his business and serving his customers. He loves Australia, and is a regular and dedicated member of his synagogue. However, it was when he described his business credo that my admiration truly blossomed:

He lives life honestly.