by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 13, 2022 | Adar, Community, Israel, Ki Tisa, Temple
In the beginning of the Torah portion of Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35), God commands the Children of Israel to take a census by collecting a silver half-shekel from every male over the age of 20. What is the meaning of half shekel in the Bible? The half shekel is a...
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,...
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...
by Rabbi Tuly Weisz | f 13, 2021 | Kings, Temple, Tenth of Tevet, Tevet, Videos
Rabbi Tuly Weisz discusses the significance of the Fast of the Tenth of Tevet, and why this day holds significance for both Jews and non-Jews. This day commemorates not only the siege around Jerusalem by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar, but also the translating of...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 30, 2021 | Chanukah, Kislev, Temple, Tetzaveh
The holiday of Hanukkah is most famously identified with the story of the miracle of the single cruse of pure olive oil that burned for eight days. The story of Hanukkah does not appear in the Bible but it is told in the Talmud (Shabbat 21b). The story begins in...
by Rabbi Tuly Weisz | f 26, 2021 | Sukkot, Tishrei
Every day during Sukkot, Jews sing Psalm 117, yearning for the day when all of the Nations will praise Hashem. Psalm 117 is part of the “Hallel” service that Jews recite on the festivals. While Sukkot commemorates the miraculous protection God provided the Children of...
