Sharing The Fruit
The visitor does not hand over his basket of First Fruits; he first shares it with the Temple representative. This is not a ceremony of give and take but of sharing.
Using Visualizations
Studies show that not only do athletes who use them improve, but so do many other people whose activities require peak performance.
The Bikurim Passage
It seems from the Vilna Gaon and the Ra’avan that shomei’a k’oneh would not work for reciting the parshah of bikurim. But why not?
The Mourning Dove Lesson Of Emunah
Leah and Benyamin were both so used to being independent that Leah did not consider asking anyone for help.
A Himmel Geshrai
As Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur approach and we appeal to Hashem for a blessed New Year, we also prepare for the awesome moment when we will all stand before Almighty G-d.
The Parsha Experiment – Ki Tavo: How To Make Sense Of The Terrible Curses
Ki Tavo is so difficult to read; how could Hashem be so cruel to us? Join us as we grapple with the incredibly difficult curses of this week's parsha
We Are What We Remember
We are what we remember, and the first-fruits declaration was a way of ensuring that Jews would never forget.
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Ki Tavo: Amalek, Bikkurim and Ma’aser
Many commentators sense a significance to the placement of the bikkurim declaration, at the beginning of this week’s pasha, right after the injunction to destroy Amalek. What is the connection?
G-d’s Anger Never Lasts
Just as Noach established and created a certain merit for himself when being saved, so too Bnei Yisrael need to do the same in order to be redeemed.
How Will You Pray?
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are almost here. How will you pray? How will you reunite with your Heavenly Father? Will your visit with Him have meaning, or will it be a meaningless empty ritual?
Outcomes And Intentions
So if on the previous Rosh Hashanah, Shimon had a decree of a year of life, then there is nothing Reuven or any other force in existence could do to change that.
Q & A: Elul – A Time To Repent (Part II)
Question: Where does the name Elul come from? Also, how can Elul be both the last month of the year and the prequel to the holidays (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) that occur in the following month, Tishrei, the first month of the new year? Finally, can you please discuss the religious practices of Elul?
M. Goldman
Miami Beach, FL
No Accident
I said that we could call the baby Natanel Yisrael, but my husband felt that the name would be too long. (I don’t know why he said that because we already had a child with a six-syllable name.)
Daf Yomi
The Burdensome Beast
‘He Put His Donkey On The Ferryboat’
(Bava Kamma 117b)
Sins, Sculptors & Circumcision
Since each month is aligned with a particular shevet and constellation, we can inform ourselves of the qualities of the month through them.
Lost Tzedakah
When he reached the bank, he put his hand in his pocket and realized the money was gone.
Polygamy
The Torah explicitly says that a husband may divorce his wife if he so pleases. How can Rabbenu Gershom forbid this practice when the Torah seemingly permits it?
The Parsha Experiment – Ki Teitzei
Though related to the 10 commandments, what is the larger message that this list of laws in parsha Ki Teitzei is coming to teach us?
The Limits Of Love
The opening three laws of this parsha- a captive woman taken in war, the law about the rights of the firstborn, and the “stubborn and rebellious son” – are all about dysfunctions within the family.
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Ki Tetzhe: Yehoshua the Conqueror
Battling Amalek presents an important warning to any Jewish military leader that there is a need to maintain a basic respect for what it means to be human, even when dealing with mortal enemies.
Shabbat, The Foundation Of Our Heritage
We think we have the power to make choices and to effect change in this world – that we are in control of our own destiny.
Q & A: Elul – A Time To Repent
Question: Where does the name Elul come from? How can Elul be both the last month of the year and the prequel of the holidays (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) that occur in the following month, Tishrei? Finally, can you please discuss the religious practices of Elul?
M. Goldman
Miami Beach, FL