The Timeless Charm of Jerusalem

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 9, 2023 | Psalms, Fear of God, Holiness, Israel, Prayer, Purity, Temple

By Rabbi Avraham Norin The Ariel Center is a small museum, hidden within the winding alleyways of the Old City of Jerusalem. Out of all the incredible museums Jerusalem has to offer, this one has a special place in my heart. The museum’s focus is the First...

Are Religious Jews Crazy?

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 12, 2023 | Psalms, God, Holiness

By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz In 1991, I moved to Israel and my journey back to God began. I was, what they call in Jewish circles, a baal teshuva (master of return). I moved to Sde Eliyahu, a religious kibbutz, and due to the hot climate of the Jordan Valley and the...

The Still Small Voice of the Shofar

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 3, 2022 | Psalms, Rosh Hashana, Faith, Elul, Holiness, Prayer, Purity, Repentance, Tests and Trials

By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz I had the remarkable merit of learning in Yeshiva (school for Torah study) with Barya Shachter, now a truly inspirational leader of a spiritual community. He is the son of Rabbi Zalman Shachter-Shalomi, the dynamic founder of the Jewish...

Where Did Balaam Go Wrong?

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 12, 2022 | God, Micah, Holiness, Revelation and Prophecy

“See that big guy over there? Aren’t you glad I saved you from him?” “What are you talking about? He never touched me.” “Yeah, but what he wanted to do to you was really awful.” “You mean he wanted to beat me up?” “No. What he wanted to do was much worse than even...

What Does it Mean to Be Holy?

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 1, 2022 | Shabbat, Kedoshim, Holiness, Purity

Leviticus Chapter 19 begins with a deceptively simple commandment:  You shall be holy, for I, Hashem your God, am holy. Leviticus 19:2 There has been much speculation about this verse. At first glance, the imperative seems impossible as it requires the nation of...

Amos’ Vision of the Third Temple Period

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 28, 2022 | Acharei Mot, Amos, Holiness, Israel, Temple

The Torah portion of Acharei Mot (Leviticus 16-18) begins with a reference to the deaths of Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, who died bringing a “foreign fire” while performing the service in the Tabernacle. Directly after this personal tragedy, God...