Judaism (Page 26)


Amulets according to Jewish law

In ancient times, all doctors believed that amulets could aid in healing, The Sages of Israel did not dispute this, and permitted their use, provided they did not contain anything forbidden, As for protection, what about soldiers today?

Amulets according to Jewish law

Cracking open the Jewish Code

An essay on the foundations of Judaism in six parts. This is Part IV - links to previous parts are below.

Cracking open the Jewish Code

Watch: Tanya video/lecture: The Holy Epistle

The Tanya compacts four millennia of Jewish wisdom to answer the great personal and existential questions of life. It has revolutionized the way we think about G -d the human soul, the world and our place in it.

Watch: Tanya video/lecture: The Holy Epistle

The Supreme Court of Israel confronts the Haredim

Irresistible force hits an immovable object as service in the IDF becomes a flashpoint in the confrontation between secular liberal society in Israel and the refusal of the traditionalist Haredim to comply.

The Supreme Court of Israel confronts the Haredim

Zion is the cure

Imagine where Israel would be now had world Jewry opted out of Museums for dead Jews and opted for investment in living Jews, opting out of institutions and into growing the Heartland of Shomron and Yehudah.

Zion is the cure

Three stars

Perhaps today. Perhaps tonight.

Three stars

Cracking open the Jewish Code

An essay on the foundations of Judaism in six parts. This is Part III - links to parts I and II below.

Cracking open the Jewish Code

Israel's 1st Chief Rabbi:

Chukat: Even in the Hour of Death

Why did the rabbis emphasize Torah study in every situation, even on one’s deathbed?

Chukat: Even in the Hour of Death

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch:

Chukat: A boy can do it

We’re all born with free will to choose right from wrong.

Chukat: A boy can do it

Eretz Yisrael in the Parsha:

Why was Moshe's punishment not entering the Land of Israel?

Moshe is compared to the sun, while Yehoshua to the moon.

Why was Moshe's punishment not entering the Land of Israel?

A finger on the pulse of our generation

Why was Moses denied The Promised Land?

A finger on the pulse of our generation

Le’David Barchi Nafshi:

The tragic substitute for not speaking to the rock

The nation of Israel keeps falling into a poor state of faith, even though its entire existence in the desert is nothing but an obvious miracle. Since Moses and Aaron do not elevate the people's faith by talking to the rock, another measure is needed.

The tragic substitute for not speaking to the rock

Parashat Chukkat: A new generation

Our generation is the generation that was born and raised in Israel, unbowed by exile. And we have demonstrated our determination to win the war and rescue our captives. This week's parasha is the precedent.

Parashat Chukkat: A new generation

"This is the statute of the Torah": Chukat haTorah

Questions and answers of rabbinic commentators on the idea of laws for which we have no reason.

"This is the statute of the Torah": Chukat haTorah

Chukat: Lift up, don’t put down

It turns out that Rashi and Nachmanides are not arguing about Moses' misstep with the rock. They were both right

Chukat: Lift up, don’t put down

Office of the UK Chief Rabbi

The best way to influence people

People will most likely be influenced by you, if they know that you love them.

The best way to influence people

Torah Mitzion:

Behavior and consequences

A close look at this parasha shows the importance of behaving well.

Behavior and consequences

Cracking open the Jewish Code. Part II

An essay on the foundations of Judaism in six parts.

Cracking open the Jewish Code. Part II

Revivim:

Supporting Rabbis through Trumot and Maasrot

The commandment of giving tithes and offerings from agricultural produce is intended to maintain the spiritual-religious dimension in the People of Israel through the priests and Levites, whose role is to engage in Torah study and education.

Supporting Rabbis through Trumot and Maasrot

Three decades on, his voice still rings

As we prepare to mark the Rebbe’s thirtieth yahrzeit, while our brethren in the Holy Land are still at war, I find myself revisiting the meaningful and mystical relationship the Rebbe harbored with Israel and Her people.

Three decades on, his voice still rings

Gimmel Tammuz:

Watch: Tanya/ Iggeret Hakodesh - The Holy Epistle

The Tanya compacts four millennia of Jewish wisdom to answer the great personal and existential questions of life. It has revolutionized the way we think about G -d the human soul, the world and our place in it.

Watch: Tanya/ Iggeret Hakodesh - The Holy Epistle

A request from Anat Meir, widowed on October 7th: Pray with us

All women are invited to come or to pray wherever you are. All of us want peace, tranquility, security, and clarity, and I have no doubt that our prayers have an extremely powerful impact.

A request from Anat Meir, widowed on October 7th: Pray with us

A bright scenario

A belief-based view provides balance and comfort even in the moments in which we fear war in the north.

A bright scenario

Cracking open the Jewish Code. Part I

An essay on the foundations of Judaism in six parts.

Cracking open the Jewish Code. Part I

We are the people of the Book. Why do we not act like it?

When have you heard public invocation of the biblical verses where He promised Eretz Yisrael to Am Yisrael? Or reasoning using them as bases?

We are the people of the Book.  Why do we not act like it?

The sons of Korach

Korach condemns so many of today’s Torah-leaders. Torah-leaders who look with equanimity at the exile, Torah-leaders who are perfectly content remaining in exile, But not his sons.

The sons of Korach

Different groups, different motivation

When an organization is coming with a certain demand, is this a clear black and white issue? Or, are their true interests hidden from view?

Different groups, different motivation

Israel's 1st Chief Rabbi:

Korach: Separating and Connecting

Why indeed should only the Levites and the kohanim serve in the Temple? Why not open up the service of God to the entire nation?

Korach: Separating and Connecting

Eretz Yisrael in the Parsha:

What comes first, Redemption or Repentance?

In the process of redemption, what comes first: ingathering of the exiles or purification?

What comes first, Redemption or Repentance?

The test

A selection of commentaries weighing in on the meaning of the almond branch blossoming staff test.

The test

Where others saw the end, he saw the beginning

In Tribute to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, for his 30th yartzeit.

Where others saw the end, he saw the beginning

Le'David Barchi Nafshi:

Preposterous conflicts

In a time of argument, even preposterous words settle into the hearts of man and kindle the fire of conflict. That is what happened in the story of Korach.

Preposterous conflicts

Parshat Korach

Preserving the authenticity of Judaism

Korach and his cohort fail spectacularly and are swallowed by the earth while yet alive. We can glean from this incident the significance of comprehending that the Torah was given through Moshe, by the direct orders of G-d.

Preserving the authenticity of Judaism

Torah Mitzion:

Nothing is worth more than the opportunity to serve Hashem.

Today again there is a call to serve Hashem, a call that entails sacrifice on many levels.

Nothing  is worth more than the opportunity to serve Hashem.

Office of the UK Chief Rabbi

Korach: ‘One word says it all’

What was at the root of this machloket, this conflict?

Korach: ‘One word says it all’

What we learn from Korach about living our 'best life'

Be careful what you wish for - or covet.

What we learn from Korach about living our 'best life'

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch:

Korach: Sleep on it

Moshe hoped Korach’s men would reconsider if given time to reflect.

Korach: Sleep on it

The struggle with Ishmael: 'tselem elokim' or 'pere adam'

Ishmael was also created be-tselem Elokim (in the image of G-d), but skewed this through the acts of a pere adam who destroys G-d’s precious creations while proclaiming to be His messenger, violating natural laws of ethics, love and compassion.

The struggle with Ishmael: 'tselem elokim' or 'pere adam'

The Old Yishuv and the unbroken presence of Jews in the Holy Land

For about 1,800 years, from the time of their defeat by the Romans to British rule, the Jews of the Land of Israel were pious and peaceful, accepting their fate as subjects of the occupying powers and praying for their Final Redemption from foreign occupation, persecution and exile.

The Old Yishuv and the unbroken presence of Jews in the Holy Land

Rav Mordechai Eliyahu, of Blessed Memory

Two stories. For his yahrzeit: "Tell me, will you? How does this Rabbi do these things?”

Rav Mordechai Eliyahu, of Blessed Memory

Watch: Tanya, the Holy Epistle lecture/video

The Tanya compacts four millennia of Jewish wisdom to answer the great personal and existential questions of life. It has revolutionized the way we think about G -d the human soul, the world and our place in it.

Watch: Tanya, the Holy Epistle lecture/video

G-d Is knocking, answer the call

Let’s not succumb to silly politics and pettiness. Let’s rise to the occasion. History will judge us. What we do will have historic implications. Now is the time to journey forward shoulder to shoulder.

G-d Is knocking, answer the call

Eretz Yisrael in the parsha: The Torah is to be kept in the Land

Religious Zionist Torah scholars find connections between Eretz Yisrael and the week's Torah reading. Rejecting the Land is the equivalent of rejecting God.

Eretz Yisrael in the parsha: The Torah is to be kept in the Land

A Chasam Sofer to treasure

We've faced the Gazans in the past and they have reappeared as a mix with the Yishmaelim and Amaleikim.

A Chasam Sofer to treasure

Rav Kook Torah

Shlach: Rejecting the Land of Israel

A new meaning for the verse 'May you see the good of Jerusalem.'

Shlach: Rejecting the Land of Israel

Parashat Shlach: Truth and consequences

When the Jews of a thousand years in the future look back at our present-day reality, what will they say and write about our generations? What consequences will we, today, bequeath to our ancestors?

Parashat Shlach:  Truth and consequences

Three Jewish revolts and the response of a Jewish leader

In Tribute to the 30th Yartzeit of the Rebbe

Three Jewish revolts and the response of a Jewish leader

Le’David Barchi Nafshi:

The great value of serving God with love

Why shoould tzitzit be a mitsva that depends on whether you choose to wear a four cornered garment? Why not make it obligatory all the time.

The great value of serving God with love

Today's message from the Spies

There is a strong message in this week’s Torah portion and it is the call to return home, to make Aliyah.

Today's message from the Spies

Office of the UK Chief Rabbi

‘Our children are watching’.

D’var Torah for Parshat Shelach Lecha.

‘Our children are watching’.

Commentators weigh in on the Sin of the Spies

Was their sin lack of faith in God, was it a provocation, was it their fear of having to fight - or a combination?

Commentators weigh in on the Sin of the Spies

Torah Mitzion:

Vision / Double Vision / Triple Vision

Viewing is not the same as seeing.

Vision / Double Vision / Triple Vision

A nation and its culture

Primarily, Jews are the progeny of forebears who adhered to the duties of the soul over the desires of the heart by integrating physical and spiritual components to transcend the limitations of earthly existence.

A nation and its culture

Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Hirsch:

Shelach: Jewish giants

The physical world may affect our spiritual nature more than we realize.

Shelach: Jewish giants

The power of one word

Where did the spies go wrong?

The power of one word

The Parsha and Current Events: We need each other

From the time of receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai through such time that we will have proven ourselves worthy of the honor of being the chosen nation, we remain steadfastly Am Israel.

The Parsha and Current Events: We need each other




























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