#Torah
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Jonathan Sacks: Eternity and Mortality Emor
Jonathan Sacks: Eternity and Mortality Emor Our Parsha begins with a restriction on the people for whom a kohen may become tamei, a word usually translated as defiled, impure, ceremonially unclean. A priest may not touch or be under the same roof as a dea
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Jonathan Sacks: Holiness and Childbirth TAZRIA – METZORA
Jonathan Sacks: Holiness and Childbirth TAZRIA – METZORA The sidrot of Tazria and Metzora contain laws which are among the most difficult to understand. They are about conditions of “impurity” arising from the fact that we are physical beings, e
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Jonathan Sacks: Food for Thought SHEMINI
Jonathan Sacks: Food for Thought SHEMINI The second half of Exodus and the first part of Leviticus form a carefully structured narrative. The Israelites are commanded to construct a Sanctuary. They carry out the command. This is followed by an account of
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Jonathan Sacks: Encampments & Journey- Vayakhel, Pekudei
Jonathan Sacks: Encampments & Journey- Vayakhel, Pekudei Right at the end of the book of Shemot, there is a textual difficulty so slight that it is easy to miss, yet – as interpreted by Rashi – it contains one of the great clues as to the nature of Je
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RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT VAYAKHEL: WE MUST BUILD A TEMPLE OF GENEROSITY AND KINDNESS
RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT VAYAKHEL: WE MUST BUILD A TEMPLE OF GENEROSITY AND KINDNESS וַיֹּ֣אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֔ה אֶל־כׇּל־עֲדַ֥ת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר זֶ֣ה הַדָּבָ֔ר אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֥
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Jonathan Sacks: Mirrors of Love Vayakhel
Jonathan Sacks: Mirrors of Love Vayakhel The Torah in Parshat Vayakhel, which describes the making of the Mishkan, goes out of its way to emphasise the role women played in it: The men accompanied the women, and those who wanted to make a donation brought
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Jonathan Sacks: The Aesthetic in Judaism Tetzaveh
Jonathan Sacks: The Aesthetic in Judaism Tetzaveh Why is the Torah so specific and emphatic, in this week’s Parsha, about the clothes to be worn by the Kohanim (Priests) and the Kohen Gadol (High Priest)? “These are the vestments that they shall make:
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Jonathan Sacks: The Architecture of Holiness TERUMAH
Jonathan Sacks: The Architecture of Holiness TERUMAH From here to the end of the book of Exodus the Torah describes, in painstaking detail and great length, the construction of the Mishkan, the first collective house of worship of the Jewish people. Preci
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Jonathan Sacks: The Slow End of Slavery MISHPATIM
Jonathan Sacks: The Slow End of Slavery MISHPATIM In Parshat Mishpatim we witness one of the great stylistic features of the Torah, namely its transition from narrative to law. Until now the book of Exodus has been primarily narrative: the story of the en
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RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT YITRO: BECOMING A HOLY NATION BY ESTABLISHING A HOLY GOVERNMENT
RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT YITRO: BECOMING A HOLY NATION BY ESTABLISHING A HOLY GOVERNMENT “וְאַתֶּ֧ם תִּֽהְיוּ־לִ֛י מַמְלֶ֥כֶת כֹּֽהֲנִ֖ים וְג֣וֹי קָד֑וֹשׁ“ “And you will be a kingdom of priests a
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Jonathan Sacks: The Custom that Refused to Die YITRO
Jonathan Sacks: The Custom that Refused to Die YITRO There’s an enthralling story about the Ten Commandments and the role they played in Jewish worship and the synagogue. It begins with a little-known fact. There was a time when there were not three par
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Jonathan Sacks: Music, Language of the Soul BESHALLACH
Jonathan Sacks: Music, Language of the Soul BESHALLACH For the first time since their departure from Egypt, the Israelites do something together. They sing. “Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the Lord.” Exodus 15:1 Rashi, explain
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Prof. Sam Lehman-Wilzig: The Torah’s Exodus Story and Immigrant Absorption
Prof. Sam Lehman-Wilzig: The Torah’s Exodus Story and Immigrant Absorption The new Trump Administration has a clear policy regarding this. Given the President’s significant Evangelical Christian support, as well as that of American Orthodox (and ultra
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Jonathan Sacks: Freedom and Truth VAERA
Jonathan Sacks: Freedom and Truth VAERA Why did Moses tell Pharaoh, if not a lie, then less than the full truth? Here is the conversation between him and Pharaoh after the fourth plague, arov, “swarms of insects”[1]: Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron
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Jonathan Sacks: Who am I? SHEMOT
Jonathan Sacks: Who am I? SHEMOT Moses’ second question to God at the Burning Bush was, ‘Who are You?’. He asks God in the following way: “So I will go to the Israelites and say, ‘Your fathers’ God sent me to you.’ They will immediat
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Jonathan Sacks: The Last Tears VAYECHI
Jonathan Sacks: The Last Tears VAYECHI At almost every stage of fraught encounter between Joseph and his family in Egypt, Joseph weeps. There are seven scenes of tears: 1. When the brothers came before him in Egypt for the first time, they said to one ano
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Jonathan Sacks: The Author of Our Lives MIKKETZ
Jonathan Sacks: The Author of Our Lives MIKKETZ It was Joseph’s first real attempt to take his fate into his own hands, and it failed. Or so it seemed. Consider the story so far, as set out in last week’s Parsha. Almost everything that happens in Jose
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Jonathan Sacks z”l: What is the theme of the stories of Genesis? וישב Vayeshev
Jonathan Sacks z”l: What is the theme of the stories of Genesis? וישב Vayeshev One of the most fundamental questions about the Torah turns out to be one of the hardest to answer. What, from God’s calling to Abraham in Genesis 12 to the death
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RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT VAYISHLACH:RESTORING THE BROTHERLY LOVE OF YAAKOV AND ESAU
RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT VAYISHLACH:RESTORING THE BROTHERLY LOVE OF YAAKOV AND ESAU “וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח יַעֲקֹ֤ב מַלְאָכִים֙ לְפָנָ֔יו אֶל־עֵשָׂ֖ו אָחִ֑יו אַ֥רְצָה שֵׂעִ֖יר שְׂדֵ֥ה א
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Jonathan Sacks z”l: The Jewish Journey VAYISHLACH
Jonathan Sacks z”l: The Jewish Journey VAYISHLACH Why is Jacob the father of our people, the hero of our faith? We are “the congregation of Jacob”, “the children of Israel.” Yet it was Abraham who began the Jewish journey, Isaac who was will
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RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT VAYETZEH: THE HOUSE OF JACOB’S UNIVERSAL MISSION
RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT VAYETZEH: THE HOUSE OF JACOB’S UNIVERSAL MISSION RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT VAYETZEH: THE HOUSE OF JACOB’S UNIVERSAL MISSION “וַיֵּצֵא יַעֲקֹב מִבְּאֵר שָׁבַע וַיֵּלֶךְ חָרָנָה׃ – Jacob l
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Jonathan Sacks z”l: The Birth of the World’s Oldest Hate VAYETSE
Jonathan Sacks z”l: The Birth of the World’s Oldest Hate VAYETSE “Go and learn what Laban the Aramean sought to do to our father Jacob. Pharaoh made his decree only about the males whereas Laban sought to destroy everything.” This passage from
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Jonathan Sacks z”l: The Tragedy of Good Intentions TOLDOT
Jonathan Sacks z”l: The Tragedy of Good Intentions TOLDOT It is the deep, reverberating question at the heart of Toldot. Why did Rebecca tell Jacob to deceive Isaac and take Esau’s blessing? Her instruction is brisk and peremptory: “Now, my son,
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Jonathan Sacks z”l: The Next Chapter CHAYEI SARAH
Jonathan Sacks z”l: The Next Chapter CHAYEI SARAH One of the most striking features about Judaism in comparison with, say, Christianity or Islam, is that it is impossible to answer the question: Who is the central character of the drama of faith? In
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Jonathan Sacks z”l: Walking Together VAYERA
Jonathan Sacks z”l: Walking Together VAYERA There is an image that haunts us across the millennia, fraught with emotion. It is the image of a man and his son walking side-by-side across a lonely landscape of shaded valleys and barren hills. The son
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Jonathan Sacks: The Power of Example LECH LECHA
Jonathan Sacks: The Power of Example LECH LECHA So familiar are we with the story of Abraham that we do not always stop to think about what a strange turn it is in the biblical narrative. If we fail to understand this, though, we may fail to understand th
Miscellaneous | Judaism
More Than Just Commentary: Rashi with the Rebbe - Chabad
Go to any synagogue in the world and you will find numerous copies of the Five Books of Moses. Beneath the primary text on every page, there lies a subscript penned in an unfamiliar alphabet. This is Rashi - the greatest Torah commentary of all time. What
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Jonathan Sacks z”l: Individual and Collective Responsibility NOACH
Jonathan Sacks z”l: Individual and Collective Responsibility NOACH I once had the opportunity to ask the Catholic writer Paul Johnson what had struck him most about Judaism, during the long period he spent researching it for his masterly A History
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Jonathan Sacks z”l: Why Were We Created? Bereishit
Jonathan Sacks z”l: Why Were We Created? Bereishit There is a deep question at the heart of Jewish faith, and it is very rarely asked. As the Torah begins we see God creating the universe day by day, bringing order out of chaos, life out of inanimat
Miscellaneous | Jewish Life
Torah scroll dedicated to Oct. 7 families installed at Western Wall
Thousands of people filled in individual letters in the parchment.
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Jonathan Sacks z”l: The Power of Gratitude
Jonathan Sacks z”l: The Power of Gratitude In the early 1990s, one of the great medical research exercises of modern times took place. It became known as the Nun Study. Some seven hundred American nuns, all members of the School Sisters of Notre Dam
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Jonathan Sacks z”l: Leadership: Consensus or Command? NITZAVIM-VAYELECH
Jonathan Sacks z”l: Leadership: Consensus or Command? NITZAVIM-VAYELECH The great transition is about to take place. Moses’ career as a leader is coming to an end, and Joshua’s leadership is about to begin. Moses blesses his successor. Then God
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Jonathan Sacks z”l : Freedom Means Telling the Story KI TAVO
Jonathan Sacks z”l: Freedom Means Telling the Story KI TAVO Here’s an experiment. Walk around the great monuments of Washington D.C. There, at the far end, is the figure of Abraham Lincoln, four times life-size. Around him on the walls of the
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Jonathan Sacks z”l: Two Types of Hate KI TEITSE
Jonathan Sacks z”l: Two Types of Hate KI TEITSE It is by any standards a strange, almost incomprehensible law. Here it is in the form it appears in this week’s parsha: Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egy
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Jonathan Sacks z”l: Power from the Outside or Self-Restraint from Within SHOFTIM
Jonathan Sacks z”l: Power from the Outside or Self-Restraint from Within SHOFTIM This summer, we’ve seen riots on the streets of London and Manchester on the one hand, Tripoli on the other. On the face of it there was nothing in common between
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Jonathan Sacks z”l: Making Poverty History RE’EH
Jonathan Sacks z”l: Making Poverty History RE’EH Listen to these stories. Behind them lies an extraordinary insight into the nature of Jewish ethics: Story 1. Rabbi Abba used to bind money in his scarf, sling it on his back, and place it at th
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Jonathan Sacks z”l: Why Civilisations Fail EIKEV
Jonathan Sacks z”l: Why Civilisations Fail EIKEV What is the real challenge of maintaining a free society? In parshat Eikev, Moses springs his great surprise. Here are his words: Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God… Otherwise,
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RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT EKEV: HOW TO FEAR HASHEM FEARLESSLY
RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT EKEV: HOW TO FEAR HASHEM FEARLESSLY In Parshat Ekev- Moshe Rabbenu continues to recount the tumultuous history of Israel and the significant contribution of the Torah’s ‘mitzvot-commandments’ in directing Israel in the path of go
Miscellaneous | Judaism
17 Facts You Should Know About the Five Books of Moses
Dictated by God and transcribed by Moses, these books convey God’s instructions on how we can fulfill our life’s mission.
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Jonathan Sacks z”l: The Idea that Changed the World VA’ETCHANAN
Jonathan Sacks z”l: The Idea that Changed the World VA’ETCHANAN It is one of the great stories of all time, and Moses foresaw it three thousand years before it happened. Here he is speaking in this week’s parsha: See, I have taught you decr
Miscellaneous | Judaism
What Does Amen Mean?
Read on to learn more about what 'Amen;' means. Learn about the significance of this phrase, its meaning, and origins.
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Jonathan Sacks z”l: The Book of the Covenant DEVARIM
Jonathan Sacks z”l: The Book of the Covenant DEVARIM As we begin reading the fifth and final book of the Torah, I would like to discuss three questions. First, why does the book of Devarim have the structure it does: a mix of history and law, recoll
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PARSHAT MAASEI: RAV KOOK ON ISRAEL’S RESPONSIBILITY TO UNITE THE WORLD
PARSHAT MAASEI: RAV KOOK ON ISRAEL’S RESPONSIBILITY TO UNITE THE WORLD PARSHAT MAASEI: RAV KOOK ON ISRAEL’S RESPONSIBILITY TO UNITE THE WORLD What does Torat HaRav Kook teach us about Parshat Maasei’s significance for our day? The Parsha recounts th
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Jonathan Sacks z”l: Natural or Supernatural? MATOT-MASEI
Jonathan Sacks z”l: Natural or Supernatural? MATOT-MASEI The book of Bamidbar draws to a close with an account of the cities of refuge, the six cities – three on each side of the Jordan – set apart as places to which people found innocent of mur
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RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT PINCHAS: HOW TO BE A HOLY ZEALOT
RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT PINCHAS: HOW TO BE A HOLY ZEALOT Parshat Pinchas begins by honoring Aaron’s grandson, Pinchas for his zealous and immediate response to the Israelite male sinning in public view with the Midianite female. “When Pinchas, son of El
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Jonathan Sacks z”l: Pacing Change PINCHAS
Jonathan Sacks z”l: Pacing Change PINCHAS Embedded in this week’s parsha is one of the great principles of leadership. The context is this: Moses, knowing that he was not destined to lead the next generation across the Jordan into the promised l
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RAV KOOK ON Parshat Balak: MODERNIZING BILAAM’S PROPHECIES
RAV KOOK ON Parshat Balak: MODERNIZING BILAAM’S PROPHECIES RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT BALAK: MODERNIZING BILAAM’S PROPHECIES In Parshat Balak, the Torah recounts Balak’s hateful fear of Israel and his unsuccessful attempts to curse Israel through the pro
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Jonathan Sacks z”l: A People That Dwells Alone? BALAK
Jonathan Sacks z”l: A People That Dwells Alone? BALAK The dictionary defines epiphany as “a sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something; a comprehension or perception of reality by means of a sudden intuitive realisation.” Th
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PARSHAT CHUKAT: RAV KOOK ON MOSES’S FATAL ANGRY ERROR AT THE WATERS OF DISPUTATION AND WHAT WE MUST DO TO FIX IT
PARSHAT CHUKAT: RAV KOOK ON MOSES’S FATAL ANGRY ERROR AT THE WATERS OF DISPUTATION AND WHAT WE MUST DO TO FIX IT RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT CHUKAT: In Parshat Chukat, we read: “The Israelites arrived at the wilderness of Zin on the first new moon, and the pe
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Jonathan Sacks z”l : Descartes’ Error CHUKAT
Jonathan Sacks z”l : Descartes’ Error CHUKAT In his 2011 bestseller, The Social Animal, New York Times columnist David Brooks writes: We are living in the middle of the revolution in consciousness. Over the past few years, geneticists, neurosc
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PARSHAT KORACH: RAV KOOK ON the Dangers of KORACHISM
PARSHAT KORACH: RAV KOOK ON the Dangers of KORACHISM “Now Korach, son of Izhar son of Kohath son of Levi, betook himself, along with Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—descendants of Reuben—to rise up against Moses, together with
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Jonathan Sacks z”l: Taking It Personally KORACH
Jonathan Sacks z”l: Taking It Personally KORACH When we read the story of Korach, our attention tends to be focused on the rebels. We don’t give as much reflection as we might to the response of Moses. Was it right? Was it wrong? It’s a
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Jonathan Sack z”l: What Made Joshua and Caleb Different? SHELACH LECHA
Jonathan Sack z”l: What Made Joshua and Caleb Different? SHELACH LECHA The twelve men sent by Moses to explore the land of Israel came back with a wholly misleading report. They said: “We cannot go up against those people, for they are stronger th
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PARSHAT SHLACH: RAV KOOK ON “OVERCOMING SPYFULNESS”
PARSHAT SHLACH: RAV KOOK ON “OVERCOMING SPYFULNESS” “A world of empty chaos preceded the world of building. And light came out of the darkness- ‘And the Creator said ‘Let there be light’ ” (Notebook 3:87) And hence “Existence is full of li
Miscellaneous | Judaism
It Is Time to Declare the Truth About the Jews and Israel
The Torah grants Israel to the Jews and obligates them to protect her people
Miscellaneous | Judaism
What Is Sukkot?
Sukkot is a Jewish holiday celebrated by taking off work, celebrating in a hut, and waving unusual bouquets. This video will give you the whole story.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Judaism's Stance on Gender Is Clear, Despite Attempts To Rewrite Torah
Judaism teaches that G-d Created male and female so that they might partner with Him in creating a next generation.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
18 Facts About the “12 Spies”
Moses sent 12 spies to Canaan; 10 gave negative reports, causing 40 years of wandering.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Who Made G-d? - The Classic Jewish Answer in Clear Modern English
The Creator of all boundaries is unbounded by any definition. Otherwise, He too would require a creator.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
How the Universe Came to Be: Torah and Science
Religion is often accused of explaining a scientific discovery after the
fact. But the record on how the universe came to
be presents a different sequence of events.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
10 Songs in Jewish History
The Midrash tells us that there are 10 songs of praise (shirot) in the history of our people, culminating with the song of the Final Redemption.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
What the 10 Plagues Teach Us About Dealing With Difficult People
Expressing anger not only hurts others but destroys the person who is expressing anger.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Total Transformation: The Shema Prayer Meditation - Chabad
While the prayers preceding the Shema are important, it is the Shema prayer itself that transforms the animal soul into loving G‑d.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
What Is the Authentic Ancient Hebrew Alphabet? - Ketav Ivri vs. Ketav Ashurit
I recently read about some ancient writings that were in a
script called Proto-Hebrew, which the Jews supposedly used to write in before
the current Hebrew script.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
How Do Mezuzahs Work? - Chabad
How on earth does a parchment scroll with Hebrew inscriptions increase your personal safety? Here is how the great rabbis understood it.
Miscellaneous | Jewish Wisdom
How Much Is G-d Involved in Our Lives?
Our journey has value—not merely as a means to a greater end, but in and of itself.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Jewish Wisdom: Joseph's Message - Vayigash
It was not enough for Jacob to discover that Joseph was still alive physically. He needed to hear that he was also alive spiritually.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Antisemitism: Why the Jews?
Over the centuries, numerous “reasons” have been advanced to explain the phenomenon of Antisemitism. But perhaps there is no reason!
Miscellaneous | Judaism
6 Lessons From Jacob’s Wrestling With the Angel
We also wrestle with spiritual doubts and conflicts.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Can There Be Judaism Without Torah?
Other than Torah observance, what can we teach the next generation to inspire them to stay Jewish?
Miscellaneous | Judaism
What Does Jacob’s Ladder Symbolize?
Jacob’s simple ladder foreshadows the trajectory of human development.
Miscellaneous | Jewish Wisdom
My Strategy for Avoiding Drowning in Stress
When I leave the ark of my morning prayers, it’s a beautiful world—one that I can work with and add light to.
Miscellaneous | Jewish Life
Torah scroll in memory of the million and a half children killed in the Holocaust
The woman whose three siblings were murdered in the Holocaust is going on a mission to memorialize them
Miscellaneous | Judaism
When Blessings Come Cloaked in Darkness
A distillation of the Rebbe's talk on Jewish indignation, 1966.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Can You Travel Back in Time? Kind Of… - Parshah
One of the most powerful tools we humans possess is the ability to rewrite our own past by reframing the story.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
How Were the Priests Divided? - On the 24 Clans of Kohanim
The Torah dictates that the descendants of Aaron (the Kohanim) be separated from within the tribe of Levi and be prepared to serve in the Holy Temple (or Tabernacle).1
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Judaism: 14 Facts About the Book of Psalms
Psalms is a most beloved book, filled with prayers, praises, and prose. Compiled by David, it is an essential part of the Jewish Canon.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Moses vs. the Gaslighter - Guest Columnists - Parshah
The people in the desert were being gaslit, and big time.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Is There a Flawless Proof That Torah Is True?
Years ago I attended a seminar where we were presented with logical proofs that the Torah was delivered to us by Moses at Sinai. I was convinced and began a path towards complete Jewish observance.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Understanding After Doing - The Daily Dose of Jewish Wisdom
At Sinai, we declared, “We will do and we will understand!”
Angels descended from heaven and placed two crowns upon our heads.
Miscellaneous | Jewish Wisdom
12 Women Who Impacted Torah Scholarship
Culled from the span of Jewish history, from the Talmudic era to pre-war Europe
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Why Did G-d Smite the Firstborn? - Parshah
Our job is to find the divine sparks hidden within each person, each object and each event, and let that shine.
History | Archeology
Has the location of Noah’s Ark finally been proven using 3D scans? - The Jerusalem Post
The Torah tells us that the Ark landed on the hills of Mt. Ararat, a dormant volcano near the east border of Turkey. The Durupinar site is approximately 30 km south of that mountain.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
The End of Torah - From the Chassidic Masters - Parshah
What did Moses accomplish by shattering the tablets?
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Must One Honor Abusive Parents?
There are many kinds and levels of abuse, and different people can cope with and tolerate different situations and relationships.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
How Did the Mission of the Twelve Spies Go So Wrong?
Moses felt that the Israelites had no reason to fear the inhabitants, as they had all seen the great miracles wrought against the much more powerful Egyptians.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
13 Facts About Learning Torah - Mitzvahs & Traditions
Torah study occupies a central place in Jewish life, but how much do we really know about this activity?
Miscellaneous | Judaism
9 Facts You Should Know About Mount Sinai - Shavuot
Mount Sinai is where G‑d Himself descended and struck a deal with His chosen people.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Torah Study: Does It Matter Which Words Rashi Quotes?
See how a nuance in a simple one-line Rashi can be examined, unpacked, and understood in an entirely new light.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Is It Wrong to Like a Lot of Stuff? - Parshah
Is it OK to
enjoy a good shopping spree and to delight in yet another Amazon box at your
doorstep?
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Torah: What to Tell Yourself When Things Go Wrong
In the meantime, it’s dark, confusing, and difficult. That’s only because the process of getting to a deeper place can give space for negative consequences. But just around the bend is a time, a space that is even deeper and greater, that it will make thi
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Judaism: Perseverance Vs. Perfection - Vayigash
The Joseph-Judah relationship and the points at which their paths converge continue throughout history. From the sale of Joseph onward, Judah and Joseph constantly interact with each other, and their relationship continues in various forms. Here, in Parsh
Politics | Opinion
The Torah Versus the Left
Question: What book is the opposite of the left? Answer: the Torah. The Torah is the Hebrew name of the first five books of the Bible, the “Five Books of Moses.” The Torah is the foundation of the rest of the Bible and the rock on which both Judaism a
News | Israel & The Jewish Community
Join Us in Praying for (and Learning From) Rabbi Sacks
If you read Chabad.org, or if you follow the happenings of the Jewish world, it is virtually impossible for you not to have been touched by the writings, teachings or example of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, former chief rabbi of the British Commonwealth.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Why Do Some Letters in the Torah Have ‘Crowns’?
Many of the letters are topped by
small spikes, called tagin or ketarim. Here is why.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Judaism: What Does ‘Eye for an Eye’ Really Mean?
Does Torah want us to poke out the eye of an eye-poker?
Miscellaneous | Judaism
How Two-and-a-Half Tribes Ended Up East of the Jordan - Jewish History
Learn how Moses gave the land east of the Jordan to Reuben, Gad, and half of Manassah, on one condition.
News | Jewish Community
How ‘Torah Breaks’ Help One COVID Nurse Draw Strength and Calm in Chaos
Long Island cardiology assistant Elisheva Gilman-Smith on coping with crisis
Miscellaneous | Judaism
21 Talmud Facts Every Jew Should Know
The bulk of the Talmudic texts contain analysis of Biblical verses and Torah law, but it’s interspersed with everything from medical advice to stories, from folk sayings to fabric dying tips.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Jewish History: Who Was Amram?
Amram, son of Kehot, led the Jewish people in
Egypt and fathered three of the greatest leaders in Jewish history.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
What Is Tikkun Olam? - What does Tikkun Olam mean, who came up with it, and how do I do it?
Tikkun Olam: In Jewish teachings, any activity that improves the world, bringing it closer to the harmonious state for which it was created.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
A Rift Extending Across History - Chassidic Masters - Parshah
From the rivalry between Leah and Rachel, through the animosity between Joseph and his brothers, the clash between Saul and David, the split between Judah and Israel, to the dual nature of the messianic redemption—a rift and twinship that extends across h
Politics | Judea & Samaria
Jews Celebrate EPIC Building Dedication in Hebron - Beit HaShalom
It finally happened! The Jews have moved into Beit HaShalom (House of Peace), the four-story residential complex purchased by Jews in Hebron.
Family & Parenting | Jewish People
The 92-Year-Old Woman Who Who Stole the Show at Israel's Independence Day Ceremony
Marie Nachmias went up on stage to light a torch for Israel Independence Day. She did not speak, did not quote anybody, but simply said a prayer.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Why Does Judaism Forbid Tattoos?
This prohibition applies to all tattoos besides those made for medical purposes . . .
Miscellaneous | Judaism
The Ark of the Covenant Explained
A golden box containing the tablets with the Ten Commandments, the ark stood in the Holy of Holies, the Temple’s innermost sanctum.
Miscellaneous | Torah
Rabbi Sacks: Why The Revelation at Mount Sinai Was the Creation of Freedom | Parshat Yitro
A Torah scroll. Photo: RabbiSacks.org. The revelation at Mount Sinai — the central episode not only of parshat Yitro, but …
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks: The Consolations of Mortality
Before any of the deaths are mentioned we read about the strange ritual of the red heifer, which purified people who had been in contact with death – the archetypal source of impurity. That ritual, often deemed incomprehensible, is in fact deeply symbol
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Faith and Friendship - Covenant & Conversation - Parshah
After all that had happened – the miracles, the exodus, the division of the sea, food from heaven, water from a rock, the revelation at Sinai and the covenant that went with it – the people, yet again, were complaining about the food. And not because
Miscellaneous | Judaism
May I Join a Protest on Shabbat? - Questions & Answers
While an action may be halachically permitted, it may not be in keeping with the spirit of Shabbat and is therefore avoided.
News | Israel & The Jewish Community
Modern Technology Unlocks Secrets of a Damaged Biblical Scroll - The New York Times
Experts using a computer imaging program have virtually unwrapped a charred ancient scroll and recovered a fragment of the authoritative text of the Hebrew Bible.
History | Culture
Who Stood at Sinai? | Jlife
According to A midrash, “Every Jew who ever was, and ever will be born, stood together at Sinai when the mountain smoked and trembled and G-d revealed the law to them.” We assume that meant men, women and children. But not everyone sees it that way.
History | Culture
How to Grow A Mensch | Jlife
How do we grow a mensch? Inspire a generation of mensches? The Torah responds unequivocally: through education. We pass Jewish teachings from generation to generation to perpetuate a legacy of derech eretz, the value system that is imbued with Torah and secular education along with personal growth, self-discovery and insight into human relationships; values that our parents, grandparents and great grandparents modeled for generations.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Why Is the World Blind?
Too many times over the last many weeks I felt like shouting, “Wake up, world! Can’t you see the difference between the good guys and the bad ones? Are you blind?!”
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Parshat Truma: Giving of ourselves
A person who gives of his strengths or of his money gives mainly of himself.
