Cruel Irrelevancy

While Standing (Six Feet Apart) on One Food Erev Shabbat, April 3, 2020   The Israeli Chief Rabbinate just issued a halachic ruling about Zooming on Pesach.  It can be distilled to one word: forbidden.   But, of course.   Their logic, though, is fundamentally correct.  Since no lives are endangered if you don’t Zoom…

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At Gehinnom’s Table

While Standing (Six Feet Apart) on One Foot April 2, 2020 I am frustrated and angry. There is a well-known Hassidic tale that goes like this: ‘What will it be like in the world to come? It is said that evildoers would be punished by not being able to bend their arms. The chasid queried…

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Unholy Sacrifice

When I woke up this morning, I was hit by the news of the massacre in Christchurch, New Zealand and was revolted.  Forty-nine people dead so far, scores more injured and it would be of little surprise if more died from their injuries.  And, from all accounts, it appears that the one suspect we know…

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The Reminding Etrog

One of the interesting things about the Festival of Sukkot is the strangest of all fruits, the etrog.  Most people would not think of using it for anything other than for decoration.  It is hard to cook with, extremely sour and very, very tough to peel.  So why did Jewish tradition choose the etrog of…

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What Do I Do with the Creation Story?

I have two parts of my brain.   But I am not talking about the right brain/left brain thing.  I am talking about the religious/scientific dichotomy.  And every year when we get to the stories of Genesis, that dichotomy is very much on my mind. I am a science freak.  I love science.  I always have.…

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2001:A Space Odyssey and Noah

For about the 97th time, I watched 2001: A Space Odyssey – (one of the true gifts of monolith was, I am convinced, Netflix!)  Every time I watch the movie I get something else out of it.  Now that the story of Noah is here, I have yet another, more Jewish, insight. You have probably…

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Little Lower Than the Angels

Lech-Lecha is  one of those Torah portions that is so filled with goodies, it boggles the mind – but in a good way.  Having said that, I want to share with you a small offering and commentary. The text says, וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶל־אַבְרָ֔ם לֶךְ־לְךָ֛ מֵאַרְצְךָ֥ וּמִמּֽוֹלַדְתְּךָ֖ וּמִבֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑יךָ אֶל־הָאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַרְאֶֽךָּ׃   The LORD said…

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Abraham’s Seeds

(A very neat painting of Abram and the Three Angels by  Josse Lieferinxe between 1493–1503/08)   In the Torah portion for this week, we see one of the most interesting encounters in Abram’s life.  The text tell us, וַיֵּרָ֤א אֵלָיו֙ יְהוָ֔ה בְּאֵלֹנֵ֖י מַמְרֵ֑א וְה֛וּא יֹשֵׁ֥ב פֶּֽתַח־הָאֹ֖הֶל כְּחֹ֥ם הַיּֽוֹם׃  2 וַיִּשָּׂ֤א עֵינָיו֙ וַיַּ֔רְא וְהִנֵּה֙ שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה אֲנָשִׁ֔ים נִצָּבִ֖ים…

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A Cave and a Lie

The Torah portion for this week is Chayei Sarah which, although it translates into the “Life of Sarah” really records her death and burial at the Cave of Machpela.  In this portion, Abraham buys the cave from Ephron the Hittite.  The negotiations are concluded for 400 shekels of silver (a huge price, by the way)…

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Unplugging The Temple Wells

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] This week’s parasha is interesting in that the text tell us the following: וַיָּ֙שָׁב יִצְחָ֜ק וַיַּחְפֹּ֣ר׀ אֶת־בְּאֵרֹ֣ת הַמַּ֗יִם אֲשֶׁ֤ר חָֽפְרוּ֙ בִּימֵי֙ אַבְרָהָ֣ם אָבִ֔יו וַיְסַתְּמ֣וּם פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים אַחֲרֵ֖י מ֣וֹת אַבְרָהָ֑ם וַיִּקְרָ֤א לָהֶן֙ שֵׁמ֔וֹת…

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