Tu B’Shvat has great significance in the agricultural laws that are relevant in the Land of Israel. The 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shvat is called Tu B’Shvat. It is the cut-off date in the Hebrew calendar for calculating the age of a fruit-bearing tree. Each tree is Read more
Pharoah’s army is in a deadly pursuit of the Jewish people as they arrive at the sea.
Moshe tells the people, “Don’t be afraid… stand by and watch … God will do battle for you and you will be still.” (Exodus 14: 13-14)
God performs the miracle at the sea: the Egyptian army is drowned and the Jewish people are saved. The message for the world is to learn that there is no power in the world independent of God. There was no human intervention necessary to win the war.
Yet later, at the end of this week’s parsha, it is
Should you get a promotion this year? A larger budget and expense account? Bigger challenges? Win the lottery? We’ve been trumpeting the shofer every morning in synagogue to help us prepare for Rosh HaShanah (Jewish New Year which begins this year on Monday evening September 22, 2025). The day is Read more
Don’t supply your enemy with weapons A Palestinian terrorist holding an Israeli M16 rifle I study a page of Talmud each day through the Daf Yomi cycle—a global practice where Jews study one page (daf) of the Babylonian Talmud daily. Last week’s studies included Tractate Avodah Zarah (Laws relating to the Read more
Recently I was shopping in Jerusalem at a supermarket and the Land’s bounty on display was overwhelming. What a blessing (bracha)! Among the huge variety of fruit we found some wonderful “Apple Pears” pictured on the right. This locally grown Asian fruit is crisp, fresh and sweet with a bit Read more
PURIM GROGGER FOR YOU Purim is a joyful Jewish holiday that celebrates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. This year Purim falls on March 14, 2025. One of the most fun traditions associated with Purim is the grogger, a small, Read more
Moses Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon – known as RAMBAM ) was one of the greatest authorities on Torah Law. He lived in the 12th century and is best known for his master work the “Mishneh Torah” which is an encyclopedia of the 613 Commandments of the Torah and how Read more
It is a custom when visiting a Jewish cemetery to leave small memorial stones at the grave of a loved one. Throughout the centuries the tradition of leaving a pebble or small memorial stones on the monument or the grave has become part of the act of remembrance. In ancient Read more
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“See, this day I set before you blessing and curse:” (Deuteronomy 11:26) WAR UPDATE 41 There have been a lot of “reality checks” this past week here in Israel. Each one seemed to upturn conventional wisdom. 1. PREEMPTIVE STRIKE IN LEBANON Many experts said we had to “finish” with Hamas Read more