Chanukah and Parshas Vayaishev
Chanukah and Parshas Vayaishev On the Shabbos before Chanukah it often comes out that we read Parshas Vayaishev. There are many connections drawn between Chanukah and Parshas Vayaishev. Avodas Hashem The Bach writes in his commentary on the Tur at the beginning of Hilchos Chanukah, that the main issue for which we were thrown into…
The Parsha of Toldos
The Parsha of Toldos The Parsha of Toldos begins with the verse, “These are the descendants of Yitzchak ben Avraham, Avraham fathered Yitzchak.” Rashi is bothered by the obvious question that the second half of the verse is redundant. Rashi answers from Chazal two answers, 1) the Torah comes to tell us that it was…
Preparations for Shavuos
Preparations for Shavuos We are in the last week of Sefirah, doing the last preparations for Shavuos. Shavuos 2010 Shavuos this year, Shavuos 2010, falls on Tuesday evening from sunset May 18, until nightfall on the 19th. Shavuos is a full fledged Chag, Jewish Holiday. Searching for Jewish Beliefs? Click Here for my main article…
The Seventh Day of Passover
Table Of Contents of my Passover Articles The Haftorah For Shabbos HaGadol, Serving G-d and Not Serving Yourself We’re Leaving Mitzrayim, Are You In? Why We Need The Symbols Of Slavery Also on the Table The Second Half Of Maggid Starting With “Metchila Ovday…” The Seder Night As the Vehicle of Passing Over the…
Tzedakah and Chessed
Tzedakah and Chessed The Tur continues there quoting the gemora in Sukka praising the fulfillment of Tzedakah and Chessed. Tzedakah Fills World With Chessed The gemora says there that he who does an act of Tzedakah fills the world with Chessed. Indeed the verse says in Tehillim, Olam Chessed Yibaneh, the world is built on…
Tzedakah and Sacrifices
Tzedakah and Sacrifices There is a surprising statement from Chazal relating to the comparison between Tzedakah and Sacrifices. Tzedakah Greater Than All the Sacrifices The Tur brings from the Gemora in Sukkah that Gedola Tzedakah mikol HaKorbanos, Tzedakah is greater than all of the sacrifices. Actually in our Gemora it reads Gadol HaOseh Tzedakah etc.,…
Tzedakah and Redemption
Tzedakah and Redemption The Tur quoted in my previous post connects Tzedakah and Redemption. Tzedakah and The Final Redemption The Tur brings from Chazal that the Jewish People will only be redeemed through Tzedakah, as it says Tzion BeMishpat Tipadeh, VeShaveha Be-Tzedakah. It also says in the Haftorah that we read on a fast day,…
Parshas Trumah
Parshas Trumah This past Shabbos the Torah Reading was Parshas Trumah. Jewish Bible: The Torah As I’ve written previously, the Jewish Bible is called the Torah. Each week there is a Torah reading in synagogue, when the section which Jews learned all week with Torah commentary is read. Then at the Shabbos meal the father…
Bitul Selflessness
Bitul Selflessness I had an insight last Shabbos about bitul, selflessness, which I don’t mind sharing. Searching for Jewish Beliefs? Click Here for my main article on Jewish Beliefs. Chazal: Pirkei Avos Chazal express themselves in Pirkei Avos, “Who is wise? He who learns from every person.” I had contact with something which is almost…
Parshas Shemos
Parshas Shemos I went to a Kiddush this Shabbos, Parshas Shemos, and I heard a nice idea about Jewish Beliefs from the Rabbi that hosted the Kiddush. Now, Chazal (Our Sages) tell us that we should tell over words of Torah in the name of him who said it, but not everyone appreciates his name being mentioned…
Chanuka
Chanuka I wish to present one small tidbit about these days of Chanuka, (some spell it Chanukah, or Hanuka). The Gemora on Chanuka The gemora on Chanuka in Meseches Shabbos reads, “Mitvas Chanuka Nair Eish U’Baiso …”. The basic Mitzva of lighting Chanuka lights is to light one candle each night, and that candle covers…