by Rabbi Avi Shafran | Mar 5, 2004 | Beginner
This time of Jewish year is a curious study in contrasts. Mere weeks ago, the synagogue Torah readings were recounting the seminal events of Jewish peoplehood, the exodus from Egypt and the revelation at Sinai; then, abruptly, the subject matter turned to oxen goring...
by Rabbi C. P. Scheinberg | Feb 27, 2004 | Beginner
The Midrash tells us that in the future all the Jewish holidays will be nullified except for Purim. The Talmud says that although the final redemption will be even more miraculous than the Exodus from Egypt, the miracle of Purim — which basically revolved around...
by Rabbi Shimon Apisdorf | Feb 19, 2004 | Beginner
Jewish thinking relates to holidays as far more than commemorations of past events. Rosh Hashanah is certainly more than a Jewish January first. The essential opportunity of Rosh Hashanah is to clarify for ourselves what our truest, “bottom line”...
by Hadassah Johnson | Feb 19, 2004 | Beginner
As we draw nigh to the New Year and the High Holy Days, our preparation during the month of Elul is more than just our yearly pilgrimage in the exercise of t’shuvah. It is more than a ritual or a tradition of returning to HaShem and the Torah. It is more than...
by Yosef Ben Shlomo Hakohen | Feb 19, 2004 | Beginner
On each Shabbos of the seven weeks between Tisha B’Av and Rosh Hashana, we chant words of hope and comfort from the Book of Isaiah. The chapter that we read on the first Shabbos of the seven weeks opens with the following proclamation of Hashem – the...
