Rosner’s Torah Talk: Bamidbar with Rabbi Yehuda Ferris

[additional-authors]

Shmuel Rosner

May 18, 2018

Today we discuss Parshat Bamidbar with Rabbi Yehuda Ferris, of Chabad in Berkeley, California.

This Week’s Torah Portion – Parashat Bamidbar (Numbers 1:1-4:20) – is the first portion read from the book of Numbers. The Parasha tells us about an elaborate census of the tribes of Israel conducted by Moses in the desert and continues to discuss the priests’ ceremonial duties. Our discussion focuses on the meaning behind the counting of the people of Israel and on their long, gruelling transformation from slaves to a nation of priests.

Previous Talks on Bamidbar:

Did you enjoy this article?

You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Israel and the Internet Wars – A Professional Social Media Review

Marion Haberman

The Invisible Student: A Tale of Homelessness at UCLA and USC

Tabby Refael

What Ever Happened to the LA Times?

Dan Schnur

Who Are the Jews On Joe Biden’s Cabinet?

Ryan Torok

You’re Not a Bad Jewish Mom If Your Kid Wants Santa Claus to Come to Your House

Marion Haberman

No Labels: The Group Fighting for the Political Center

Larry Greenfield

Latest Articles

Three Years After October 7, Israelis Parallel Americans’ Post-9/11 Mood Swings

Gil Troy

Baseball’s Bounce Through the American Founding

Rabbi Dr. Stuart Halpern

Building After Destruction: The Resilience of Am Yisrael

Rabbi Kalman Topp

Light and Joy

Morton Schapiro

On Counterfeit Meaning: Flower Children to Manson, Gen Z to Hamas

David Suissa

Voter ID Proposition: Not Important, But Not Terrible

Paul Kujawsky

Nobel Rewards Anti-Israel Crusade

October 14, 2026

Just as disturbing as the award itself has been the satisfaction with which it has been greeted across much of the international press, television and political establishment.

Will the Saudis Look to Israel?

October 14, 2026

10,000 frontline Houthi militia could determine the outcome of this month’s election and indirectly select the Jewish state’s next leader.

N.Y. Times Whitewashes Israeli Sex Predator

October 14, 2026

Trybal Gatherings Brings Jewish Summer Camp to Young Adults in Ojai

October 13, 2026

More than 100 participants recharged, made new friends, and reflected on summer camp nostalgia, while spending meaningful time with 10 campers from Israel.

The Portugal Most Travelers Never See: A Journey Through Sephardic Heritage

October 13, 2026

Busting Antisemites

October 11, 2026

It’s a relief to see Jew-haters finally receive some just deserts.

Turning the Tables on Lie of the Century

October 11, 2026

We have a bunker buster: 10,000 words of evidence that Hamas committed genocide on Oct. 7. What are we planning to do with it?

How I Lost My Composure in Front of 2,000 People

October 9, 2026

Memorials, especially a memorial for an unspeakable tragedy, are a reminder that, in the end, we can never really “move on.”

Newsom Signs Safe Worship Act, Ira Gershwin Initiative, Technion Society Names Board President

October 9, 2026

Notable people and events in the Jewish LA community.

Religious Violence and Other Failures

October 8, 2026

When our service of God degenerates into a paganism of self-worship, the deepest religious failures, including violence, take hold.

The End of the Beginning – A poem for Parsha Bereshit

October 8, 2026

This is the end of the beginning…

A Bisl Torah ~ Sharp Anchoring

October 8, 2026

When we teach our children, the lesson they glean should be sharp and clear enough, so they feel anchored by our tradition and confident in our values.

A Moment in Time: October 7 – We Will Not be Defined by Loss

October 8, 2026

Simchat Torah is the Antidote of Hevel

October 8, 2026

Print Issue: The Genocide Case Against Hamas | October 9, 2026

October 8, 2026

Was a single day’s attack, no matter how savage, too brief to qualify as genocide? It turns out that duration has never been the legal test.

Yasmin Levy Refuses to Put Ladino Music in a Museum

October 8, 2026

The Israeli singer returns the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills on Oct. 11 with “One More Night,” bringing the mix of Ladino, flamenco and Middle Eastern music that has defined much of her work.

Amichai

October 8, 2026

‘NAZA: The Real Story’ Gains Momentum as Counter-Film Challenges Gaza Documentary

October 7, 2026

“NAZA: The Real Story” focuses on the IDF’s efforts to avoid civilian casualties while fighting Hamas, portraying an army that takes extensive precautions before carrying out strikes.

‘NAZA’ Proves Nada

October 7, 2026

“Naza” is not successful on any level as a documentary, but if judged on awards, and getting people who were already angry angrier, it very well may be.

Jewish Businessman Takes Pro-Palestinian Group to Court … and Wins

October 7, 2026

“I have no problem with freedom of speech, but don’t call me a baby killer” – Philip Krawitz

Rosner’s Torah Talk: Bamidbar with Rabbi Yehuda Ferris

Shmuel Rosner

Did you enjoy this article?

You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Latest Articles

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.