Standing Under Sinai

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 20, 2022 | Purim

The experience at Mount Sinai was an unprecedented revelation of God’s glory that pushed the limits of human perception. This is reflected in the descriptions offered by the sages. When it came time for the people to approach the mountain, the Torah describes it thus:...

Why Are We Commanded to Both Remember and Observe the Sabbath?

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 19, 2022 | Shabbat

After leaving Egypt and seeing the wonders of God’s greatness at the splitting of the Reed Sea, the Children of Israel prepared themselves for three days to receive the Torah at Mount Sinai. The Torah describes how God descended upon Mount Sinai in a fire, accompanied...

What is Tu B’Shevat?

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 16, 2022 | Hebrew Language, Israel, Kedoshim, Tu B'shvat

Tu B’Shevat, the New Year for the Trees, is considered a minor festival in Judaism. There is no reference to the holiday of Tu B’Shevat in the Bible, but the Mishna (Rosh Hashana 1:1) notes that there are four distinctive New Years in the Jewish calendar:...

The Clouds of Glory and the Feast of Tabernacles

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 13, 2022 | Beshalach, God, Holiness, Sukkot, Temple

God watched over the Children of Israel as they traveled through the desert toward the Promised Land, guiding them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. The pillars were a constant presence. At dawn the pillar of fire would stand in place,...

Song of the Sea

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 10, 2022 | Beshalach, Faith, Gratitude, Nisan, Passover, Prayer, Redemption

After the Children of Israel passed through the Reed Sea, God closed the waters, wiping out the Egyptian army that was chasing them. The Hebrews celebrated by singing two songs; the first 18 verses of Exodus 15 make up the Song of the Sea, while the second song,...

The Biblical New Year

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 31, 2021 | Bo, Israel, Nisan, Rosh Chodesh, Temple

Establishing a calendar in Judaism requires a total reset from how time is marked on a secular calendar, realigning the days, weeks, months, and years according to Biblical principles. Days and weeks  The days of the week are oriented around Shabbat, the Sabbath. They...