Tammuz: Lost Glory, Promised Return
While people around the world celebrate the start of summer with swimming and adventure trips, the Jewish people are in a global state of mourning during the current month of Tammuz. Tammuz is the fourth month on the Hebrew (lunar) calendar, counting from the...
Love and Brotherhood in the Temple’s Legacy
David set the stage for the building of the Temple by purchasing the mountaintop threshing floor that became the location of the Temple that was built by his son, Solomon. As explained in a previous article, the location was chosen because of the brotherly love...
The Portion of Pekudei (Exodus 38:21-40:38)
This week’s portion is often read together with the previous portion, Vayakhel. Besides the mathematical inevitability of some years having an extra Saturday, Jewish tradition prescribes a leap month be added seven times over a 19-year cycle so that Passover always...
A House of Love
David’s love for God fills every word of Psalms. More than anything else in life, David yearned for God; to serve him and to come close to him. David’s love for God culminated in the Temple. Though he did merit to build the Temple, that task was left for his son...
