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Is Sinai Mountain or Desert?
A wadi in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. Photo: Florian Prischl via Wikimedia Commons.
JNS.org – Sinai is a mountain, but it’s also a desert. This week, we begin reading Numbers in synagogues around the world. But in Hebrew, the fourth book of the Torah is better known as Bamidbar, which literally means “in the desert.”
Many commentators expound on the importance of the Torah being given to the Jewish people in a wilderness. They note that a desert is an uninhabited, barren wasteland. This reminds us that to receive the Torah and truly absorb its message requires us to feel a sense of emptiness and nothingness. We must be small and insignificant in our own eyes. Only then can we be fitting receptacles for the infinite wisdom of God. Otherwise, we might question, argue and even reject its divine laws and way of life.
The story is told of a king who built a new palace. To decorate the magnificent dining hall, he commissioned the four greatest artists of his country to paint murals that would adorn its four walls. The best work of art would bring the artist a handsome prize over and above their payment.
Three of these renowned artists got busy immediately. They were seen measuring, sketching, designing and calculating their future mural. But the fourth artist was nowhere to be seen. Where he was and what his mural would look like remained a mystery until the fateful day when the four murals were to be unveiled in the presence of his majesty the king.
One mural after another was revealed to the exultation and admiration of the adoring, inspired assemblage. And then the fourth artist came forward. Instead of unveiling his own original mural, he revealed a giant intricately designed three-dimensional mirror. It reflected all the beautiful artistry on the other three walls. The people were simply awestruck and completely blown away. It was not just stunning; it was breathtaking.
Needless to say, he won the prize.
Sometimes it’s necessary to stand back from one’s own talents and achievements and look around. What are others doing? Have a good, objective look. By internalizing and incorporating the creativity and talents of others we may emerge even more exquisite.
But to do this requires the humility to appreciate that someone else has talent too. I’m not against originality and creativity. I’m not suggesting plagiarism as a way of life. But, from time to time, we should allow ourselves the opportunity to look objectively at the work of others and see how it may influence us for the better.
I don’t remember how many times I’ve read or listened to interviews with successful artists, whether in literature or music, who were asked by the interviewer, “Who was the greatest influence on your work or style?” Every one of these brilliant artists answered honestly and unapologetically, sharing the name or names of artists of the previous generation who had a powerful influence on their own style. That’s nothing to be ashamed of. On the contrary.
As a rabbi, I’m often surprised and taken aback at how everyone and their mother-in-law consider themselves experts in Judaism, and its philosophy and practice. People do, of course, seek out the wisdom and opinion of their rabbis when they experience doubts or dilemmas or have a difficult decision to make. This is as it should be. That’s what we’re here for. But then, I often see how the advice given to them by the rabbi is disregarded and not followed at all.
These same people consult doctors, lawyers and accountants, happily pay for their time and expertise, and follow their advice, swallowing their prescriptions faithfully. Is a rabbi less of a professional expert in his field? Somehow, when it comes to things Jewish, the same client decides that he knows better than the rabbi.
Is it, perhaps, because rabbis usually don’t charge for their services that they are less appreciated by their clientele?
All professionals, including rabbis, studied in their respective fields for several years and qualified for and received a degree. Why do people who don’t presume to be doctors, lawyers or accountants assume that when it comes to Jewish matters they can second-guess the rabbi? Is it ignorance or arrogance? Personally, I find it quite fascinating how every Jew thinks that when it comes to Judaism, he too is an expert authority.
When the sages suggested that the Torah was given in a wilderness to emphasize the need for humility in order for us to absorb its profundity, they clearly knew what they were talking about.
As we approach Shavuot, the Season of the Giving of the Torah, let us rethink our attitude towards respecting the Torah and appreciating its bona fide teachers. Then, not only will the Torah be given by God but it will be well-received by His people.
The post Is Sinai Mountain or Desert? first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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After False Dawns, Gazans Hope Trump Will Force End to Two-Year-Old War
Palestinians walk past a residential building destroyed in previous Israeli strikes, after Hamas agreed to release hostages and accept some other terms in a US plan to end the war, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip October 4, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
Exhausted Palestinians in Gaza clung to hopes on Saturday that US President Donald Trump would keep up pressure on Israel to end a two-year-old war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced the entire population of more than two million.
Hamas’ declaration that it was ready to hand over hostages and accept some terms of Trump’s plan to end the conflict while calling for more talks on several key issues was greeted with relief in the enclave, where most homes are now in ruins.
“It’s happy news, it saves those who are still alive,” said 32-year-old Saoud Qarneyta, reacting to Hamas’ response and Trump’s intervention. “This is enough. Houses have been damaged, everything has been damaged, what is left? Nothing.”
GAZAN RESIDENT HOPES ‘WE WILL BE DONE WITH WARS’
Ismail Zayda, 40, a father of three, displaced from a suburb in northern Gaza City where Israel launched a full-scale ground operation last month, said: “We want President Trump to keep pushing for an end to the war, if this chance is lost, it means that Gaza City will be destroyed by Israel and we might not survive.
“Enough, two years of bombardment, death and starvation. Enough,” he told Reuters on a social media chat.
“God willing this will be the last war. We will hopefully be done with the wars,” said 59-year-old Ali Ahmad, speaking in one of the tented camps where most Palestinians now live.
“We urge all sides not to backtrack. Every day of delay costs lives in Gaza, it is not just time wasted, lives get wasted too,” said Tamer Al-Burai, a Gaza City businessman displaced with members of his family in central Gaza Strip.
After two previous ceasefires — one near the start of the war and another earlier this year — lasted only a few weeks, he said; “I am very optimistic this time, maybe Trump’s seeking to be remembered as a man of peace, will bring us real peace this time.”
RESIDENT WORRIES THAT NETANYAHU WILL ‘SABOTAGE’ DEAL
Some voiced hopes of returning to their homes, but the Israeli military issued a fresh warning to Gazans on Saturday to stay out of Gaza City, describing it as a “dangerous combat zone.”
Gazans have faced previous false dawns during the past two years, when Trump and others declared at several points during on-off negotiations between Hamas, Israel and Arab and US mediators that a deal was close, only for war to rage on.
“Will it happen? Can we trust Trump? Maybe we trust Trump, but will Netanyahu abide this time? He has always sabotaged everything and continued the war. I hope he ends it now,” said Aya, 31, who was displaced with her family to Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.
She added: “Maybe there is a chance the war ends at October 7, two years after it began.”
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Mass Rally in Rome on Fourth Day of Italy’s Pro-Palestinian Protests
A Pro-Palestinian demonstrator waves a Palestinian flag during a national protest for Gaza in Rome, Italy, October 4, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Claudia Greco
Large crowds assembled in central Rome on Saturday for the fourth straight day of protests in Italy since Israel intercepted an international flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza, and detained its activists.
People holding banners and Palestinian flags, chanting “Free Palestine” and other slogans, filed past the Colosseum, taking part in a march that organizers hoped would attract at least 1 million people.
“I’m here with a lot of other friends because I think it is important for us all to mobilize individually,” Francesco Galtieri, a 65-year-old musician from Rome, said. “If we don’t all mobilize, then nothing will change.”
Since Israel started blocking the flotilla late on Wednesday, protests have sprung up across Europe and in other parts of the world, but in Italy they have been a daily occurrence, in multiple cities.
On Friday, unions called a general strike in support of the flotilla, with demonstrations across the country that attracted more than 2 million, according to organizers. The interior ministry estimated attendance at around 400,000.
Italy’s right-wing government has been critical of the protests, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni suggesting that people would skip work for Gaza just as an excuse for a longer weekend break.
On Saturday, Meloni blamed protesters for insulting graffiti that appeared on a statue of the late Pope John Paul II outside Rome’s main train station, where Pro-Palestinian groups have been holding a protest picket.
“They say they are taking to the streets for peace, but then they insult the memory of a man who was a true defender and builder of peace. A shameful act committed by people blinded by ideology,” she said in a statement.
Israel launched its Gaza offensive after Hamas terrorists staged a cross border attack on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 people hostage.
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Hamas Says It Agrees to Release All Israeli Hostages Under Trump Gaza Plan
Smoke rises during an Israeli military operation in Gaza City, as seen from the central Gaza Strip, October 2, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Hamas said on Friday it had agreed to release all Israeli hostages, alive or dead, under the terms of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza proposal, and signaled readiness to immediately enter mediated negotiations to discuss the details.