Monthly Archives: April 2010

Positive Mitzvah 172: Heeding a Prophet Deuteronomy 18:15 "You shall listen to him" Children obey their parents. Students listen to their teachers. Players carry out the instructions of their coach. Hikers follow their leader. We all have our goals and … Continue reading →

Negative Mitzvah 65: We are forbidden to destroy or damage a Jewishplace of worship, or holy books, or to erase sacred names. Deuteronomy 12:4 "This you shall not do to the L-rd your G-d" This Negative Mitzvah tells us that … Continue reading →

process of counting the days, one by one, is explained as signifying the attempt to improve oneself in a steady, step-by-step mode. Leaving Egypt was a leap of progress, a breakthrough from the lowest depths. But then there is the … Continue reading →

Torah teachings give guidance not only on how to run a Jewish home, but also on how to build a healthy and just society. The seven Noahide laws describe how all human beings should seek to live. (The seven Noahide … Continue reading →

by Eli Touger Adapted fromLikkutei Sichos, Vol. XXVII, p. 159ff;Sefer HaSichos 5750, p. 443ff What Happens When a Wise Man Talks The Rambam writes:1 “Just as a wise man can be recognized through his wisdom and his character traits, for … Continue reading →

Kabbalah teaches that the masculine sees from above to below – the feminine from below to above. The Kabbalah of Gender By Rabbi Yitzchak Luria (from the Writings of the Ari as recorded by Rabbi Chaim Vital); adapted by Tzvi … Continue reading →

from the Oheiv Yisrael by Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heshel And the Lord G-d caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept, and He took one of his sides, and closed the flesh in its place…[And He … Continue reading →

By Naftali Silberberg It is traditional to light bonfires on Lag BaOmer eve. These commemorate the immense light that Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai introduced into the world via his mystical teachings. This was especially true on the day of his … Continue reading →

A Carob Tree and a Spring Talmud, Shabbat 33b Rabbi Judah, Rabbi Jose, and Rabbi Shimeon were sitting, and Judah, a son of proselytes, was sitting near them. Rabbi Judah commenced the discussion by observing, "How fine are the works … Continue reading →

Every Jew is commanded to give half a silver shekel (the weight of at least 160 grains of barley) each year [for the support of the Temple, as it says "This shall they give, all those who are counted: half … Continue reading →