Post The Gateway to Heaven Bethel, or Beit El in Hebrew, literally means ‘the house of God.’ It was first mentioned in the Bible as being near Ai and the place where Abram first pitched… Read More
Post A Table Fit for a King When God commanded the Children of Israel to build a Tabernacle for him to dwell among them, he also commanded them to build furnishings. Perhaps the most intricate piece was… Read More
Post The “Great Sabbath” The Shabbat that precedes Pesach (Passover) is called ‘Shabbat HaGadol’ (the big/great Sabbath). There are several reasons for this. According to Jewish tradition, the first Shabbat HaGadol was the last… Read More
Post The Hagomel Blessing: the Thanksgiving Offering of Today The korban todah (thanksgiving offering) was brought by anyone who survived a hazardous situation, such as a life-threatening illness, perilous journey or other hardship. The Talmud (Berachot 54b) lists the… Read More
Post Elisha’s Heals Leprosy and the Miracle of the Loaves Every week a portion from the Torah is read aloud in the synagogue, as well as a corresponding portion from the Prophets that is thematically connected to the Torah portion… Read More
Post The Holy Half-Shekel 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… Read More
Post The Incense Altar: Linking the Physical and the Spiritual After instructing the Children of Israel about the priestly garments, God then describes the golden altar for offering incense. Similar to the Ark of the Covenant, the altar for the… Read More
Post The Land, People and Torah of Israel After the Children of Israel defeated the city of Ai, the Book of Joshua records the ceremony that took place at Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal. They were commanded to… Read More
Post Is a Poor Man’s Sacrifice Less Desirable? The meal offering was characteristically brought by the poor as it was less expensive than a meat offering. The offering consisted chiefly of fine flour, olive oil and frankincense. The… Read More
Post The Nazirite: Saint or Sinner? The Book of Numbers describes the vow of the Nazir (Nazirite). The Nazir is not allowed to drink wine, cut his hair, or come into close contact with the dead…. Read More
