The Four Cups of Wine

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 12, 2022 | Messiah, Passover, Redemption, Va'eira

At the Passover Seder, Jews are obligated to drink four cups of wine while leaning to the left. The Mishnah (Pesachim 10:1) states that even the poor are obliged to drink the four cups. Each cup is imbibed at a specific point in the Seder. The first is for Kiddush...

Tzaraat: The Messiah’s Affliction?

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 28, 2022 | Israel, Messiah, Tazriah, Temple

The Torah portion of Tazria (Leviticus 12-13) deals with tzaraat, a disease usually mistranslated as leprosy. Tzaraat is a malady that afflicts the body, clothing, and the walls of houses. The afflicted is diagnosed by the priest and rendered impure. Tzaraat is...

The Hagomel Blessing: the Thanksgiving Offering of Today

by Eliyahu Berkowitz | f 15, 2022 | Gratitude, Messiah, Miracles, Prayer, Temple, Tests and Trials, Tzav

The korban todah (thanksgiving offering) was brought by anyone who survived a hazardous situation, such as a life-threatening illness, perilous journey or other hardship. The Talmud (Berachot 54b) lists the classic examples of people who would bring this offering:...

Will the Sacrifices Be Reinstated in the Third Temple?

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 13, 2022 | Messiah, Temple

The Torah states explicitly that the mitzvoth (commandments) are eternal, to be performed by all generations of Jews after the revelation at Mount Sinai. This was clearly stated in several places: Concealed acts concern Hashem our God; but with overt acts, it is for...

The Many Uses of Olive Oil in Biblical Times

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 6, 2022 | Hebrew Language, Messiah, Purity, Temple, Tetzaveh

The portion of Tetzaveh begins by telling the Children of Israel to bring pure olive oil for use in the Menorah in the Tabernacle (Exodus 27:20). For normal use, oil is extracted from olives by pressing, but the Torah specifies that in this case the olives are...

What Does it Mean to Observe Shemittah?

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 24, 2022 | Faith, Holiness, Israel, Messiah, Mishpatim, Shabbat

The Shemittah comes every seven years, making it a form of Sabbath that occurs on a yearly, rather than a weekly, cycle. Observing the Shemittah acknowledges that the land of Israel belongs to the God of Israel. We work the land for six years, and on the seventh, we...