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...
by Rabbi Elie Mischel | f 25, 2024 | Samuel
Soon after Bibi Netanyahu was elected to his fifth term as prime minister, journalist Bari Weiss asked him to name his favorite biblical character. Netanyahu replied with a fascinating answer: “King Saul. He was tragic.” Left-wingers who have spent decades trying...
by Rabbi Pesach Wolicki | f 24, 2024 | Faith, Va'etchanan
“You shall bind them as a sign on your arm, they shall be for ornaments between your eyes.” The practice of phylacteries Practically speaking, this verse commands the donning of phylacteries. This daily practice is still done by all Jewish males to this...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 23, 2024 | Education, Faith, Va'etchanan
Alert: Too many translations! Whenever we find a word that is translated differently by various Bible translations there is a good chance that the Hebrew word in question is worthy of study. This makes sense. If a word is straightforward and easy to translate in...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 22, 2024 | Beshalach, Holiness, Kindness and Compassion
In the Torah portion of Beshalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16) we read about the miraculous Splitting of the Sea. Emerging triumphantly from the Red Sea, the Israelites sang the ‘Song of Moses’, a heartfelt ode of gratitude. This song encapsulates their profound...
by Rabbi Pesach Wolicki | f 22, 2024 | Va'etchanan
Deuteronomy 6:6 states: These matters that I command you today shall be upon your heart Today? The word “today” appears to add no value to the plain meaning of the verse. What would have been missing from the verse had it instead read as follows: These...
