by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 18, 2024 | Tetzaveh
In the Torah portion of Tetzaveh (Exodus 27:20-30:10), we are introduced to the concept of the korban tamid, a daily offering brought twice a day: once in the morning and once in the afternoon. This ritual, a cornerstone of the ancient Temple service, symbolizes the...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 7, 2024 | Terumah
Mrs. Henny Machlis, renowned for her unparalleled acts of kindness, once conveyed a profound lesson to her daughter, illustrating the essence of true wealth. She posed a scenario: if you have $100 and you give $10 to someone in need, how much do you have left? The...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 5, 2024 | Covenant, Mishpatim
In the Torah portion of Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1-24-18), we encounter a profound moment in the journey of the Israelite people. Following the awe-inspiring revelation at Sinai, when the Ten Commandments were given, a list of detailed laws is presented. This sets the...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 4, 2024 | Revelation and Prophecy, Shavuot (Pentecost), Yitro
Jean-Jacques Rousseau once observed the remarkable resilience and enduring nature of Jewish people. In an unpublished document discovered after his death, Rousseau wrote: The Jews provide us with an astonishing spectacle: the laws of Numa, Lycurgus, Solon are dead;...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 30, 2024 | Kindness and Compassion, Yitro
At the start of the Torah portion of Yitro (Exodus 18:1-20:22), we read about Jethro’s visit to Moses in the desert before the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Moved by the news of the remarkable miracles God had performed for the Israelites, including the...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 29, 2024 | Good and Evil, Yitro
The placement of stories in the Bible is sometimes as instructive as the narratives themselves. The story of Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, in the Torah portion of Yitro (Exodus 18:1-20:22) is a prime example of this intricate storytelling. At first glance, the...
