by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 19, 2021 | Antisemitism, Fear of God, God, Good and Evil, Hebrew Language, Israel, Kindness and Compassion, Prayer, Shemot
While Israel was being blessedly prolific in Egypt and growing into a nation, Pharaoh ordered the midwives to kill the male Jewish babies. Shiphrah and Puah defied Pharaoh’s order and received God’s blessing for their courage. Their actions allowed Moses to be saved...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 18, 2021 | Good and Evil, Hebrew Language, Revelation and Prophecy, Vayishlach
Jacob is perhaps the Biblical character whose life is more closely followed than any other, with the Torah following his conflict with his brother while still in the womb and relating his deathbed blessings. Perhaps the most pivotal moment in his conflict-laden life...
by Rabbi Tuly Weisz | f 27, 2021 | Chayei Sara, God, Good and Evil
After 175 years, Abraham passes away and the Torah uses a very specific formula to describe what happens to him: he was gathered to his kin. Isaac (Genesis 35:29) and Jacob (Genesis 49:33) are similarly described, as are Moses (Deuteronomy 33:50) and Aaron (Numbers...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 4, 2021 | Antisemitism, Chosen Nation, Fear of God, Good and Evil, Israel, Kindness and Compassion, Shemot
The identity of these “Hebrew midwives” (meyaldot haivriyot) is debated by Jewish commentators. Many rabbis have assumed the literal meaning: that they were Jewish women. Other commentators, including the Abrabanel, argue that the story makes much more sense if we are...
by Rabbi Tuly Weisz | f 28, 2016 | Acharei Mot, Good and Evil, Israel, Purity
Chapter 18 of Leviticus is seemingly a list of dos and don’ts, not unlike many of the rules of purity and impurity listed throughout Leviticus. But at closer examination, there is something different about the instructions listed here. The chapter begins with...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 22, 2016 | Beshalach, Faith, God, Good and Evil
The current war with Hamas is a difficult one. We are up against an enemy that is the epitome of evil, modern-day Amalekites. How will we be able to defeat such a cruel and ruthless enemy? The answer to this question can be found in an analysis of the Torah portion of...
![A swarm of locusts on the move. [Photo: CSIRO / Wikimedia commons]](https://tibretired.kinsta.cloud/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Plague_locusts.jpg)
