Supporting the “Cause” – Are there lessons from the Golden Calf episode that we can apply to the Truckers Convoy? WARNING: I’m not comparing the Golden Calf worshipers to the Truckers.. read to the end. This week’s Torah Portion, Ki Tisa ( Exodus 30:11-34:35) begins with God instructing each male Read more…
Rabbi Abun’s 2000 year old house in Katzrin. As Iran conspires with Hezbollah and Syria to confront Israel on the Golan Heights, we thought you would like to see what the Jewish people were doing in that area 2000 years ago. This two-story single family home boasts a large master Read more…
Joseph rose to the highest rank in Pharoah’s palace and became Egypt’s number one citizen. Yet in spite of that he remained true to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Here are some paraphrased words from one of my teachers, Rabbi Ze’ev Leff about how Joseph and his brothers Read more…
We have a tradition in our local synagogue here in Yavne’el on the first night of Chanukah. The “patriarch” in our Shul, Yehuda Baidetz is invited up just before the evening services to light the Chanukah Menorah. Yehuda is an octogenarian sheep farmer who was born here in Yavne’el. He’s Read more…
Jacob’s secret weapons in his Battle with Esav Esav had threatened to kill Yaakov after Yaakov received the blessings from his father Yitzchak. So on his mother Rivka’s advice, Yaakov fled the country to Laban’s home where he married Leah, Rachel, Bilhah and Zilpah. Yaakov amassed a fortune and eleven Read more…
There is a Jewish tradition for men to sing “A Woman of Valor” (Proverbs 31:10-31) to their wives just before making Kiddush over the wine and breaking bread at the Friday night Shabbat meal. It sings the praises of the Jewish woman. Tradition also says that it was based on Read more…
Each of the Patriarchs represents a different character trait we strive to emulate. Avraham represents “Chesed” – “loving-kindness.” This manifests itself in performing selfless acts with a focus on helping others. This week’s Torah portion, VaYera (Genesis 18:1 – 23:20) continues with the saga of Avraham’s life and introduces us Read more…
THE BLESSINGS OF ISRAEL This Shabbat we read the Torah portion about Abraham and the Promised Land. (Genesis 12:1-3) וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־אַבְרָ֔ם לֶךְ־לְךָ֛ מֵאַרְצְךָ֥ וּמִמּֽוֹלַדְתְּךָ֖ וּמִבֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑יךָ אֶל־הָאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַרְאֶֽךָּ׃ וְאֶֽעֶשְׂךָ֙ לְג֣וֹי גָּד֔וֹל וַאֲבָ֣רֶכְךָ֔ וַאֲגַדְּלָ֖ה שְׁמֶ֑ךָ וֶהְיֵ֖ה בְּרָכָֽה׃ וַאֲבָֽרְכָה֙ מְבָ֣רְכֶ֔יךָ וּמְקַלֶּלְךָ֖ אָאֹ֑ר וְנִבְרְכ֣וּ בְךָ֔ כֹּ֖ל מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת הָאֲדָמָֽה׃ 1. And God Read more…
Should you get a promotion this year? A larger budget and expense account? Bigger challenges? Win the lottery? We’ve been trumpeting the shofar every morning in synagogue to help us prepare for Rosh HaShanah (Jewish New Year which begins this year on Monday evening September 6, 2021). The day is Read more…
I took some of our visiting children and grandchildren down to the Jordan River a while ago to cool off from the summer heat. It’s only 8 minutes away and literally right next to where we make our Galilee Green Olive Oil. In the late summer afternoon, nothing feels more Read more…
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