Why Were the Jewish People Given the Land of Israel?

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 16, 2022 | Chosen Nation, Covenant, Eikev, Israel

Who wouldn’t want free real estate? So when God first approached Abraham and said he was giving his descendants the land of Israel, of course, he said ‘yes!’  But why did God make the offer? Was it because the Jewish people were so amazing? Even with forefathers like...

The Key to Jewish Survival

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 10, 2022 | Chosen Nation, Covenant, Devarim, God, Israel, Revelation and Prophecy

The annual month of reserve duty in the Israeli army brings together men from all segments of society who would typically not meet. But, since we are all dressed in green and depend on each other, we get along, accepting each other’s differences and accepting the duty...

Why is the Nation of Israel So Small?

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 9, 2022 | Chosen Nation, Israel, Light Unto the Nations, Va'etchanan

God promised Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky or, alternatively, as numerous as the sand on the seashore. In fact, Jews are rare. Today, Jews represent a mere .2% of the world’s population.  In the words of Mark Twain: If the...

What did Balaam see that changed his mind?

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 11, 2022 | Balak, Chosen Nation, Community, God, Leadership, Modesty

Have you ever gone into a camping goods store and been overwhelmed by the beauty of the tents? Of course not. Clearly, Balaam was not commenting on the handiwork of the Hebrew tentmakers when he complimented the beauty of the desert dwellings (Numbers 24:5).  When...

The Exile as a Sign of God’s Everlasting Love for Israel

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 25, 2022 | Bechukotai, Chosen Nation, Covenant, God, Holiness, Israel, Kindness and Compassion, Repentance

There are two passages in the Torah that contain a short list of promised blessings should the Children of Israel adhere to the commandments, and a longer list of curses should they not. The first is found in Leviticus chapter 26 and the second is in Deuteronomy 28....

The Status of the Menstruant Woman

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 5, 2022 | Chosen Nation, Holiness, Marriage and Relationships, Metzorah, Modesty, Purity

When a woman has her menstrual period she becomes ritually impure. The Torah laws concerning this (referred to as the laws of niddah) are the basis of family purity, one of the most important aspects of the Jews’ status as a holy nation. This Torah portion of...