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Chidushay Bang


Chukas/Balak: Fight Fire with Fire
avi korn

Shelach: Is Instant Gratification Jewish?
avi korn n ' myles brody

BANGITOUT's SEDER SIDEKICK!
print this baby out!

Pesach: Unity in Bnei Brak
Steven Schwartzberg

Pesach: Where in the World is Moshe Rabainu?
Phil Witner

Walk Like an Egyptian
Yaakov Eizicovics

Purim- Do Looks Matter?
Steve Wind

Parshat Vayikra - G-d's "Go-to" Guy
David Mahler

Parshat Vayakhel- Shekels of Fire
Alan Gersch

Parshat Ki Sesa - A Glitch in the Matrix
Avi Korn

Parshat Vayishlach: Dina
R' Michael Zauderer

The Bangitout Torah - search for meaning:
Parshat Chukas-Balak
Fight Fire with Fire
(The deep spiritual meaning behind Jean-claude Van Damme’s “Double Impact”)

By avi "foot burn" korn

A very strange theme recurs in this weeks parsha.

1. As the Torah goes into the details and the practices of the parah adumah (i.e. red heffer - albeit a holy substance to the Jewish people, a poor choice of nicknames for the female you adore), Rashi explains that this Chok law is atonement for the sin of the Egel Hazav (i.e. golden calf – the source of the Jewish people’s downfall, but a much more preferable nickname)

2. After the Nation complains about their situation in the desert, Hashem punishes them with a plague of fiery serpents. The atonement for the plague, once again, is similar to the source: this time a bronze sculpture of a snake. [Interesting how a sculpted image can serve as both the cause and the cure, but this is for another time]

What sense is there in the atonement bearing similarity to the sin? One would think that the appropriate response would be the true opposite? The answer lies in the heart of Jewish beliefs. The foundation of all that goes on in the world is that it emanates from the same source, Hashem. Remembering this principal not only steers us away from sin, but gives us the right perspective in life.

Please direct any suggestions to Avi Korn.