Vegetarianism & Judaism
The Jewish Vegetarians of North America once published a “Top 10 Reasons for Being a Kosher Vegetarian.” First on the list: “Two words – buttered challah!” I welcomed this moment of levity about an issue that often generates a tremendous amount of passion on both sides of the table. When the plates are cleared, though, […]
First read the instructions!
Adam and Eve were allowed to eat from all the trees in the Garden. Except for the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. They were told that death would ensue if they ate from that tree. Of course, they go right ahead and eat from the forbidden tree. But if that is what they […]
Where are You?
Rav Tzadok HaCohen of Lublin famously taught that the first time a word appears in the Torah is its headquarters. This is an appropriate idea to keep in mind as we begin our study of the Torah again this week with the portion of Bereishis – In the Beginning. In this week’s portion, we find […]
The Mechanics of Sin
God had made it very clear that the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil was not to be eaten, and that “on the day you eat of it you will surely become subject to death” (Genesis 2:17). If that was the case, how could the serpent think he could simply tell Eve that “you […]