by Rabbi Tuly Weisz | f 24, 2021 | Ezekiel, Sukkot
When Shabbat occurs during Sukkot, rather than reading from the weekly Torah portion, there is an ancient, yet unusual, Jewish tradition of reading about the famous war of Gog and Magog from the Book of Ezekiel in chapters 38 and 39. The terrifying battle is described...
by Rabbi Tuly Weisz | f 9, 2021 | Fast of Gedaliah, Jeremiah, Kindness and Compassion, Rosh Hashana, Temple
Archaeologists in Israel uncovered evidence from nearly three thousand years ago, proving the existence of Gedaliah, a relatively minor character mentioned in the Bible, whose life is still commemorated till this very day by Jews every year through an annual fast day....
by Mordi Levi | f 3, 2021 | Psalms, Responsibility, Sukkot
The date is one of the seven special species of the Land of Israel (Deuteronomy 8:8). Like each of the other species, the date, which grows from a palm tree, is also symbolic of the People of Israel. The Sages teach that the palm tree is unique, in that every part of...
by Mordi Levi | f 29, 2021 | Rosh Hashana, Song of Songs
The pomegranate is one of the seven special agricultural species of the Land of Israel (Deuteronomy 8:8). It has always been a symbol of beauty. Its unique shape is a favorite design element, appearing on the priestly garments and on the pillars at the entrance to the...
by Mordi Levi | f 23, 2021 | Antisemitism, Israel, Leadership, Purim
The Scroll of Esther contains an account of events that took place when the Jewish people were living in Persia. Following the destruction of the first Temple at the hands of the Babylonians, the Jews were exiled to Babylon. Not long afterwards, the Babylonians were...
by Eliyahu Berkowitz | f 6, 2021 | Adar, Esther, God, Miracles, Purim
The Megillah Reading Divided into ten chapters, the story recorded in the Megillah of Esther is the basis of the Jewish festival of Purim. The story is read aloud and in public from a scroll known as a Megillah. It is read twice during the holiday; in the evening and...
