Teachings

A somewhat lengthy study, but not at all complicated (in its formulation), touching upon an essential theme of our identity: the pursuit of holiness. Those courageous enough to read through to the end will, I am sure, find much satisfaction.

In the halakhic discussion of Sefirat HaOmer, there’s a fascinating tension between speech and timing. The Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 489:4) rules that if someone asks you, "What day of the Omer is it?" before you’ve counted with a blessing, you should answer, “Yesterday was the Xth day,” rather than say “Today is…” Why? Because saying “today is…” might actually fulfill the mitzvah—without the bracha. And once the mitzvah is fulfilled, the moment for the bracha is lost.

‘On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.’ (Ex. 19:16-19)

In recent days, the news of Pope Francis’ passing has stirred grief and reflection in many circles. At the same time, the hesitation of Jewish authorities regarding participation in the funeral services, as they were scheduled on Shabbat, has generated questions, comments, and at times, controversy. It is a discussion that deeply touches the relationship between adherence to Jewish law and the duty to honor significant public figures, even non-Jewish ones.

A rather humorous Chinese saying goes that the Chinese eat anything with four legs that isn’t a table, and anything with two legs that isn’t a relative. I have seen memes and other posts on the web saying that if we don’t eat our dogs and cats, we shouldn’t consume other animals. That’s quite true. The truth is that there are no real reasons not to eat dog or cat meat; it’s simply a matter of cultural conventions, which are sometimes even violated in our own traditionally “civilized” homes.

Who is God of Judah?

“And it came to pass at that time that Judah went down from his brothers, and turned towards a man of Adullam, whose name was Hirah.” (Gen. 38:1)

God Has Even More Faith In Us Than We Have In Him!

In the Torah portion Va’etchanan the commandment of tefillin is conveyed in the following manner: “You shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be for a reminder between your eyes.”

Rosh HaShanah is perhaps the holiday in which the universal dimension is most pronounced. It celebrates the anniversary of the creation of the human species. As is well known, the biblical account expresses the act of creation in these words:

"Let us make the human..." (Gen. 1:26)

The scene is well known. Avram is invited to count the stars and is told that his descendants will be like them. This analogy is generally understood to refer to their great number:

"He took him outside and said, 'Look toward the heavens and count the stars, if you are able to count them.' And He said to him, 'So shall your offspring be' […] And as the sun was setting, a deep sleep fell upon Avram." [Gen. 15:5-12]

The final scene of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is well-known and beautifully crafted. Indiana Jones must cross a chasm to reach the place where the Holy Grail rests—a relic that, among other things, will allow him to save his dying father. The legend states that this is the path of God, and that "Only in a leap from the lion’s head will he prove his worth." Standing at the edge of the abyss, Indy places a hand over his heart and takes a step forward. Only then does an invisible bridge appear beneath him, holding his weight and allowing him to reach the Grail.