Monthly Archives: April 2010
“annihilate Amalek”
Shmuel I 15:2 This week’s haftorah that we read before Purim deals with Hashem’s command to Shaul Hamelech (King Saul) to annihilate Amalek. The time had come for the Jewish people to eradicate every trace of their earliest archenemy who … Continue reading
“Milah”
1. Circumcision – Milah We are commanded to circumcise male children on the eighth day after they are born [as it says "And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised"].[1] Circumcision was the basis of … Continue reading
“Napoleon “
The story is told of Napoleon, who was walking one evening through the streets of Paris with his entourage when he happened to pass by a synagogue. From inside emerged the sounds of large numbers of people weeping bitterly. He … Continue reading
Isaiah ben Amoz: Political Prophet (Isaiah 1-39) Isaiah’s greatness lies not only in his ethical teachings, but in his central involvement–and prophetic intervention–in the political events of his day
It is generally agreed among scholars that only verses 1-39 of the book of Isaiah (commonly referred to as "First Isaiah" or "I Isaiah") were written by the prophet whose name appears upon the whole book; the reasons that scholars … Continue reading
Jeremiah: Prophet of Judgment and of Hope: Jeremiah’s tragic message is conveyed by both his prophecies and account of Jerusalem’s destruction, but he also gives his people hope.
Excerpted with permission from The Jewish Religion: A Companion (Oxford University Press). Jeremiah was the prophet born in Anathoth, about three miles north of Jerusalem, whose ministry began in the 13th year of Josiah king of Judah (i.e. 627 B.C.E.), … Continue reading
“Shedding light”
Shedding light on the day of rest By Rabbi Michael Strassfeld, Sharon M. Strassfeld & Richard Siegel Email this page Print this page From The Jewish Catalog, reprinted with permission from the Jewish Publication Society. As a ceremonial object or art, the candle … Continue reading
Havdalah: Taking Leave of Shabbat
We say goodbye to the Sabbath in a bittersweet ceremony that employs wine, fragrance, and candlelight. By Susan Silverman Email this page Print this page Reprinted with permission from Jewish Family and Life: Traditions, Holidays, and Values for Today’s Parents … Continue reading
Zemirot … “Jewish Hymns for the Sabbath Day.”
published by the Jewish Publication Society. "Zemirot" is the term for the table hymns sung during or immediately after Sabbath meals. These medieval songs represent a unique blend of the holy and the secular, the serious and the playful, and … Continue reading
Melaveh Malkah
Shabbat doesn’t have to end when the havdalah candle goes out. By Miriam Brosseau Sometimes the 25-hour period of Shabbat, the day of rest, can be so sweet that it’s difficult to see it come to an end. An informal … Continue reading
MITZVOT” “Chillul HaShem”
Negative Mitzvah 63: Desecrating the name of G-d Leviticus 22:32 "Neither shall you profane My holy name" Everything a Jew does, has an effect on the way others look at theJewish people and the Torah. The Torah expects a Jew … Continue reading
