by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 10, 2022 | Bo, Nisan, Passover, Responsibility, Temple
On the eve of Passover, firstborn sons fast from sunrise to sunset in commemoration of the salvation of the Israelite firstborns during the Plague of the Firstborn in Egypt. Unlike all other Jewish fast days, only firstborn children are required to fast on the Fast of...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 29, 2022 | Purity, Repentance, Responsibility, Tazriah
Leviticus introduces the affliction of tzaraat. Commonly mistranslated as leprosy, tzaraat can afflict the body, a home, or even clothing. Tzaraat only afflicts clothing made of three materials: wool, linen, or leather. Only sheep’s wool is susceptible to...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 27, 2022 | Community, Covenant, God, Holiness, Responsibility, Revelation and Prophecy, Yitro
The Exodus from Egypt would not have been complete without entering into a covenant with God. In this covenant, the nation of Israel swears to keep the Torah. Just like the covenant made with Abraham, the covenant at Sinai was sealed with blood (Exodus 24:8). Unlike...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 26, 2022 | Hebrew Language, Repentance, Responsibility, Yitro
In the Book of Exodus, directly after God presented the Ten Commandments to the Hebrews which explicitly prohibit murder, the Torah restates the rule but adds an exception: He who fatally strikes a man shall be put to death. If he did not do it by design, but it came...
by Rabbi Tuly Weisz | f 15, 2021 | Antisemitism, Chosen Nation, God, Israel, Lech Lecha, Prayer, Responsibility
This week’s Torah portion known as Lech Lecha contains Genesis 12:3, the foundational Scripture for Christian Zionism. So many non-Jews read this wonderful verse and conclude that it’s time to start caring more for Israel. This verse is often quoted and many know it...
by Rabbi Tuly Weisz | f 6, 2021 | Noach, Responsibility
I love books and I love the Bible, so naturally, I love to read books about the Bible. I’ll read anything that captures my attention, so I read many Torah books that are obviously “pro-Bible” but I will also read books that are “anti-Bible.” I like knowing what’s out...
