Monthly Archives: October 2011
The Gift of the Postdiluvian King
This week’s reading tells the story of Noah, the father of all humanity. We learn that G-d spoke to him and his children, directing them to follow seven laws for just and moral lives. Most religions say that they offer … Continue reading
In Search of the Jewish Voice of Jesus
The Maharal, zt”l, explains the mechanics of idolatry. “Our sages teach that a Jew who gives charity on condition that his son recover from illness is a complete tzaddik. Conversely, charity given by a non-Jew on condition is meaningless. The … Continue reading
Leaving the House of God
So what is it like to leave? Some quietly slip out of their religious beliefs without much fuss. There are many though, who were previously strongly convinced that their religion is utter reality. It is highly revealing to listen to … Continue reading
Noach: What We Allow in Heaven
The Maggid of Mezritch interpreted our Sages’ statement: “Know what is above you,” as: “Know that everything ‘above’ all that transpires in the spiritual realms is ‘from you,’ dependent on your conduct. Each of us has the potential to influence even … Continue reading
Being Heaven on Earth
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me … Continue reading
A Small Light Against the Darkness
Some think life is all about doing good and keeping away from evil. To them, struggle has no purpose of its own — to have struggled is to have failed. Success, they imagine, is a sweet candy with no trace … Continue reading
The Long Dark Road
“Marrying gentiles is like playing into the hands of the Nazis,” Yad Vashem Council Chairman and former Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau has been quoted as saying to students from Ramat Gan’s Ohel Shem High School. According to the students, … Continue reading
Where to Find Jesus
It is important that before we dig into the Gospel texts themselves we understand some of the cultural background regarding ritual purity in the late Second Temple period. The Tosefta tells us that during this time “purity broke out among … Continue reading
The Tent of God
Downtown Dewey Square is crammed with tents and tarps of Occupy Boston protesters, but organizers made sure from the start of this weeks-old encampment that there was room for the holy. No shoes are allowed in the “Sacred Space” tent … Continue reading
Living in the Echo of Genesis
And Hashem God made for Adam and his wife garments of skin, and He clothed them. -Genesis 3:21 (Stone Edition Tanakh) Not only did God Himself make them comfortable garments, He Himself clothed them to show that He sill loved … Continue reading
