Blindsided
Just as your hand, held before the eye, can hide the tallest mountain – so this small earthly life keeps us from seeing the vast radiance that fills the core of the universe. (Rebbe Nachman of Breslov)
No second chance for a first impression
In the wake of Israel’s terrible sin in worshipping the Golden Calf, Moses throws himself fully into interceding for God to forgive them. In the midst of his prayers, he begs God to “please show me Your Glory.” God does not consent and says, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me […]
What excites us?
The Almighty informs Moses that the people have built a molten calf, are bowing to it, bringing sacrifices to it and tells him to go down to see for himself. (Exodus 32:7-8). Moses descends from the mountain with the two tablets in his hands and is so shocked by what he sees that he smashes […]
The source of wisdom
“…And in the heart of every wise-hearted person I have placed wisdom.” (Exodus 31:6) We find a similar statement in Daniel 2:21, “He gives wisdom to the wise.” There’s an obvious problem here. If God only gives wisdom to those who are wise – how do they get their wisdom in the first place? R’ […]
New class: CONSIDERING CONVERSION-An Introduction to Judaism and the Conversion process
Torah Paths will begin a new program on Monday evenings beginning March 15. This will be an interactive, discussion oriented class for people thinking about conversion to Judaism. The major components of the program will cover: Understanding the conversion process Potential difficulties that may be encountered Differences between Jewish denominations The basic beliefs of traditional […]
Making an entrance
“You shall make on its hem pomegranates of turquoise, purple, and scarlet wool, on its hem all around, and gold bells between them all around.” (Exodus 28:33) This hem of alternating bells and pomegranates was certainly one of the more unusual features of the High Priest’s garments. What was the purpose of the bells? Two […]
Is the cash kosher?
“Money from which no tzedakah (charity) was given reeks like meat that wasn’t salted.” (Rebbe Nachum of Chernobyl) * In the koshering process, meat is salted in order to remove prohibited blood.
That first drop
“You shall command the children of Israel and have them bring to you clear olive oil, [made from olives that were] crushed for lighting, to keep the lamp burning continuously.” (Exodus 27:20) According to the Oral Torah, only the best, first drop of oil that was pressed from each olive could be used for lighting […]
Light source
“You shall command the children of Israel that they should take for you clear olive oil, crushed for illumination, to keep the lamp burning continually.” (Exodus 27:20) Rabbi Avin HaLevi said: When someone wants to make a window, he makes it wide from within and narrow from without. Why? So that it should draw in […]
Difficult gold
The Menorah that was constructed for the Tabernacle had to be made out of a single hammered piece of pure gold (Exodus 25:36). This is expressed in Hebrew as “kula miksha achat zahav tahor”. The word ‘miksha’ also carries the connotation of hard or difficult. The most difficult thing to find is pure gold! Too […]