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Essays on the weekly Torah portion, the holidays and Jewish thought.
Parsha Shemini – “He Could Have Said: Circumcision Is on the Eighth Day!?” G-d does not need or want us us to defend Him. G-d does want us to demand of Him to bring an end to pain and suffering. This is what our requests for Moshiach are all about! Parsha Shemini – Inquire Judaism has always advocated a spirit of inquiry. It is religious obligation to question, not doubt, the words of the Torah and uncover hidden meanings. The spirit of inquiry and investigative prowess also applies to searching for and discovering Moshiach; the internal as well as the external Moshia Parsha Shemini – Let It Be Known to All! Although one’s focus on publicity and fanfare is a sign of superficiality, it can enhance an already existing deep relationship. Parsha Shemini – Natural Wine Judaism tolerates and even supports clearly defined parameters for consumption of wine. However, the best way to get high is to imbibe the wine of Torah. Parsha Shemini – In the Spotlight The more spiritual we become the more light we generate. However, the increased spirituality also sheds more light on our imperfections. Higher spirituality is also a higher challenge. Parsha Shemini – Parity Imperfection was sewn into the fabric of our world. Our goal, however, is to reverse that process. This is what the Messianic Age is all about. Parsha Shemini – Suppressing and Expressing One of G-d’s gifts to us is that we can express deep emotion without artificial methods. Parsha Shemini – The Angel’s Angel Humans are both inferior and superior to angels. While angels were created before man; we were formed in G-d’s though before the angels. While angels contribute to the spiritual state of the world; we are the purpose for which the world exists in the first place. Parsha Shemini – Prohibition Judaism does not oppose drinking alcoholic beverages within certain prescribed parameters. The ideal form of imbibing, however, is the “wine of Torah.” Parsha Shemini – The Big Fish We were created as land creatures, but our goal is to be submerged in the refreshing waters of Divine knowledge. Parsha Shemini – The Eighth Day G-d’s plan for the world requires of us to choose freely to implement His Master Plan. The world had to go through ups and downs, before the plan was delivered to us. The world has also gone through vicissitudes to bring us to the threshold of the Messianic Age. Parsha Shemini – The Four Species: Getting Out of Four Exiles Keeping Kosher strengthens our past, present and future Parsha Shemini – The Paradox of Judaism Judaism is about fusion and synthesis. The goal is the fusion of Divine inspiration with human endeavor. Parsha Shemini – The Kabbalah of Food Eating kosher is an act of liberation. We liberate the hidden sparks of holiness embedded in the food. Parsha Shemini – We’re Still Waiting When doing good does not beget positive results; don’t give up. Just do more good. The results are guaranteed! Pirkei Avos Pirkei Avos – Attributes of the Soul Pirkei Avos essentially comprises five chapters. Chapter number six, which is in actuality a Beraisa, was added as an appendix to Avos. The Holiday of Shavuos, which received its name from the Biblical phrase “seven weeks you shall count” follows the six weeks of recitation of… Pirkei Avos Pirkei Avos – Dual Preparations There are two customs concerning the recitation of Pirkei Avos: The first is to recite it every Shabbos between the Holidays of Passover and Shavuos. The alternate custom is to continue saying it throughout the Sabbaths of the summer up until Rosh Hashanah. Pirkei Avos Pirkei Avos – Prelude to Sinai It is a well-known practice throughout the Jewish community to recite and study the Talmudic treatise known either as Avos (Fathers) or Pirkei Avos (Chapters of the Fathers) between the two festivals of Passover and Shavuos. Pirkei Avos Pirkei Avos – Preparation for Shavuos One of the reasons for reciting Pirkei Avos between Passover and Shavuos is to provide us with a means to prepare for the giving of the Torah during the Festival of Shavuos. By learning the instructions contained in this tractate that is devoted to “ethics and [refinement] of… Pirkei Avos Pirkei Avos – Sabbatical Ethics The universal custom is to recite and study Pirkei Avos on the Sabbaths between Passover and Shavuos, while others continue to recite it throughout the Sabbath of the summer. The common denominator of all the customs is that it is recited only on Shabbos. The question arises,…