Bamidbar Chapter 20

Bamidbar Chapter 20

Author: Yitzchok Lowy March 9, 2026 Duration: 0:00

This lecture covers Bamidbar Chapter 20, marking the transition to the 40th year in the desert as the generation prepares to enter the Land of Israel. The chapter records Miriam’s death, the incident at Mei Merivah where Moshe strikes the rock instead of speaking to it—resulting in God’s decree that he will not enter the Land—and concludes with the failed diplomatic mission to Edom and Aharon’s death at Mount Hor, where his son Elazar receives the priestly garments in succession.

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Rabbi Yitzchok Lowy offers a daily pause for reflection with 5 Minute Tanach Chapter. Each episode is a concise, five-minute exploration of the day's assigned reading from the 929 project, a contemporary initiative to engage with the entire Hebrew Bible. Rather than lengthy lectures, these are focused classes designed to fit into a busy day, providing a moment of connection to ancient texts. Listeners will hear clear explanations of the chapter's narrative, its historical context, and thoughtful insights into its philosophical and spiritual dimensions. This podcast makes the Tanach accessible, examining how these foundational stories intersect with culture, society, and personal belief. It’s for anyone curious about the text, whether seeking structured study or a brief daily inspiration. By consistently returning to the source, Rabbi Lowy builds a habit of learning that accumulates into a deeper understanding over time. Tune in for a straightforward and substantive look at one chapter each day, finding relevance and wisdom in a timeless tradition.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 72

5 Minute Tanach Chapter - Yitzchok Lowy
Podcast Episodes
Bamidbar Chapter 14 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Bamidbar chapter 14 covers the aftermath of the spies’ report: the people’s universal complaint against Moshe and Aharon, Yehoshua and Calev’s counter-argument rooted in trust in God, and Moshe’s intercession when God th…
Bamidbar Chapter 13 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Bamidbar Chapter 13 covers the story of the scouts (commonly called the Meraglim, though that word never appears in the text) sent to assess the Land of Canaan. The mission follows a command-and-execution structure: Hash…
Bamidbar Chapter 12 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Bamidbar Chapter 11 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Bamidbar chapter 11 presents the trials in the desert not simply as failures of faith, but as a crisis of leadership — the people’s complaints about the manna and lack of meat lead to a fundamental restructuring of autho…
Bamidbar Chapter 10 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
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Bamidbar Chapter 9 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Bamidbar Chapter 9 covers the command to perform the Korban Pesach in the desert and the origin of Pesach Sheni — a second chance in the second month for those who were ritually impure or on a distant journey and couldn’…
Bamidbar Chapter 8 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Bamidbar Chapter 8 covers the mitzvah of placing the lamps on the menorah — a command repeated multiple times in the Torah, likely because it belongs to the broader Chanukas HaBayis (dedication of the Mishkan) narrative.…
Bamidbar Chapter 7 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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This deep dive into Bamidbar Chapter 7 explores why the Torah dedicates its longest chapter to repeating the identical offerings of the twelve tribal princes during the Mishkan’s dedication—revealing that the repetition…
Bamidbar Chapter 6 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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This chapter explores the laws of the Nazir — a person who voluntarily takes on a form of priestly holiness through vows of abstaining from wine and grape products, not cutting their hair, and avoiding contact with the d…
Bamidbar Chapter 5 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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This deep dive into Bamidbar Chapter 5 explores why a seemingly random collection of mitzvos—from sending away the impure to the dramatic sotah ritual—appears right in the middle of the census narrative, suggesting they…