Jewish Blogs

Parshat Chukat-Miracles of Faith

The Gemara tells the story of the angels’ argument to save Chananaya, Mishael, and Azarya from the fiery furnace of nevuchadetzar. The angel Yurkuma offered to put out the fire with ice and hail while the angel Gavriel countered that he would descend into the fire and cool it down. Hashem sent the angel Gavriel. The Shem Mishmuel asks, what ...

Parshat Bo: Kiddush Hachodesh and Kiddush Hazman

In this week’s parsha we have the mitzvah of “hachodesh hazeh lachem”, the mitzvah of kiddush hachodesh. This is actually the first mitzvah given to Am Yisrael as a nation. Rav Soloveichik zt”l would like to explain1 that this mitzvah represents the idea that the Jewish people have the koach, the ability, to be mekadesh the zman, to sanctify time. ...

Parshat Beshalach: Emancipation of the Mind and Heart

The Midrash writes, Hashem tells Israel, “Remember the day of Shabbat as you should remember the Exodus of Egypt.” Just as the seven days of creation culminate with Shabbat, so too the first and last of the seven days of Pesach are compared to Shabbat. How do we understand this? Additionally, we see that the redemption was accomplished by both ...

Parshat Behar: Walking with G-d

In Parshat Bechukotai, the term halicha (walking) is used many times in reference to our observance of the mitzvot. The parsha begins, “Im bechukotai teileichu. If you will walk in my statutes.” Further on the Hashem writes, “V’hithalachti b’tochechem. I will walk with you.” The parsha continues, “Va’olech etchem. I will walk with you.”Later on in the parsha, the Torah presents the other side of the coin. “V’halachtem imi keri. If ...

Parshat Behar-The Earth’s Inner Reality

Parshat Behar discusses the mitzva of shemitta. What is the deeper meaning behind this unusual commandment?Earth is finite and physical, while heaven is infinite and transcendental. Because we are so involved in physicality, it is easy to get lost in it. Somehow our material existence becomes real to us, while our spiritual essence remains vague and distant. Other religions preach that earth is ...

Parshat Bechukotai: Blessings of the Torah

Parshat Bechukotai begins, “If you will walk in my statutes to keep my commandments and perform them.” We learn from this that there are three parts to Torah: l’amol, to work at it and study it; lishmor, to know it and protect it within ourselves through consistent review; and v’asitem, to practice it by actually living it. Many people suffer from a form ...

Parshat Balak: Pilgrimage Power

When Bilaam set out on his donkey on a mission to curse the Jews, Hashem sent an angel to block the animal’s path. Bilaam struck the donkey three times. The Torah then writes that the animal opened its mouth and complained, “What have I done to you that you have beaten me shalosh regalim-three times?”The commentators ask, why does the Torah ...

Parshat Achrei Mot / Kedoshim: Living Kedusha

In Parshat Kedoshim the Torah tells us, “Kedoshim tiheyu ki kadosh ani.” You shall be holy, for I am holy. How do we define kedusha (sanctity)?The Mikdash Halevi notes that at the beginning of the parsha it says, “Daber el kol adat bnei Yisrael.” Speak to the entire assemblage. This is to emphasize that each and every one of us is commanded to be holy. We ...

Parshas Toldos: The Spiritual Pedometer

I was in line at the bakery some time ago behind an exceedingly wide individual, and upon his belt, which served as the horizontal height of curvature of his enormous girth, was clipped a small electronic device. Figuring there’s no way this guy is on Hatzolah, I asked him what it was, to which he responded that his doctor kindly ...

Parshas HaChodesh

What’s “new” and why is it so important? So focal that Rosh Chodesh is the very first mitzvah given the Jewish nation? So critical that Hashem could have “cut-and-paste” so-to-speak the opening words of the Torah and in place of “In the beginning,” begun the Eternal Word of Emes with “This month (i.e., Nisan) shall be for you the head ...

Parental Musings: Drum Sets and Boys (and girls….)

Boys like drums. Some girls like drums. Many more boys like drums. Right? No one is offended right? It’s just a fact of life, whether genetic or environmental or hormonal. That said, I had a funny parenting moment last week that I thought I’d share with you.I knew something was up when my eight year old son went outside to ...

Paper Party Decorations Part 7: Simple Butterfly Banners Kids Can Make Themselves

Looking for a project to keep your kids busy right about now? Here’s another sweet idea that could be used with paper silhouettes of any kind, but is particularly successful with a butterfly shape. And who wouldn’t want butterflies in their succah, or anywhere for that matter? They are certainly preferable to the real live bees that seem to visit ...