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In parshas Pinchas, the Torah has a census of Klal Yisrael, which was at the end of the 40 years in the desert. We find discrepancies between these numbers and those from parshas Bamidbar, which was at the beginning of the 40 years. Shevet Shimon had the biggest difference of numbers, the only shevet numbering losses in the tens of thousands. Based on this, Chazal say that the 24,000 who died in the plague at the end of parshas Balak were all from shevet Shimon. In addition, when Moshe blessed all the shevatim, he left out Shimon, only hinting at them, highlighting the disappointment with them from the recent tragic event.

This past week, a stolen Picasso was retrieved from the yacht of a Saudi prince. Its origins include the complicated history of stolen art by the Nazi regime. This newsworthy story is just one among many others this month surrounding the subject of confiscated art during World War II.

“I’m so OCD.”

We’ve all heard it. Maybe we’ve even said it ourselves after color-coding a planner, reorganizing a closet, or spending an unreasonable amount of time making sure the picture frames on the wall are perfectly straight.

As a child, my mother started shopping for my Passover wardrobe immediately following Purim. The spree began with excursions to Williamsburg, Boro Park, Union Turnpike, including the beloved and defunct Alexander’s and Ohrbach’s. As a child, I actually despised dressing up, and every trip to the fitting room was a nightmare. I hated the poof, the twirl, and the bows as much as the ruffle ankle socks and patent leather shoes. However, it was an unwritten law that a brand-new wardrobe was a “must” for the Passover season!

For close to a decade, I have advocated the importance of Israeli fashion to find its well deserved place in the global fashion arena. Working with fashion icons such as Motty Reif (creator of Tel Aviv Fashion Week), Aviad Arik Herman, Eyal Asouline, Matan Shaked, Maya Negri and Inbal Dror. Each one a brilliant example of viewing Israel through a creative lens. Allowing the world to translate Israel as a land of creativity as opposed to a land of political extremities. 

Napoleon did not have much money when he was ready to propose marriage to soon-to-be-Empress Josephine. He collected all the money he could to purchase his fiancé a beautiful sapphire and diamond ring on a gold band. In a design setting named “you and me,” the sapphire stones are only one carat each yet have a priceless historic value.