Monthly Archives: May 2012

Redeeming the Heart of Israel, Part 2

Posted on May 31, 2012 by

For the children of Israel shall dwell many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or pillar, without ephod or household gods. Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God, and David their king, and … Continue reading →

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Redeeming the Heart of Israel, Part 1

Posted on May 30, 2012 by

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by … Continue reading →

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Disconnect Reconnect Disconnect

Posted on May 30, 2012 by

Normally, I start out a “meditation” with some sort of meaningful or inspirational quote, usually from Chabad.org, but I’ve got other things on my mind. Most of you know that I recently attended the First Fruits of Zion 2012 Shavuot … Continue reading →

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To Serve My Creator

Posted on May 29, 2012 by

“Everything was created to serve me,” states the Talmud, “and I was created to serve my Creator.” -Talmud, Kiddushin 82a. “I was created to serve my Creator.” With these words, the Talmud sums up the purpose of life. But there … Continue reading →

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Shavuot: An Oasis in the Desert

Posted on May 28, 2012 by

Our retelling of the Exodus on Passover ends when we close the Haggadah text. But when did the story really end? You might think that the story ended when the Jewish people left Egypt on the 15th day of the … Continue reading →

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Bamidbar and Shavuot: Souls in the Desert

Posted on May 25, 2012 by

“Numbers” may be the name by which the fourth of the Five Books of Moses is commonly called, but in the Hebrew original it is known as Bamidbar, or “In the Wilderness.” It is interesting to note that this parsha … Continue reading →

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Looking Through a Dark Window

Posted on May 24, 2012 by

The Alter Rebbe explained in the previous chapter that the light of the Shechinah, an illumination utterly transcending the realm of the world, must have a “garment” which enables it to radiate there. The “garment” of the Shechinah is Torah. … Continue reading →

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Our Teacher Moshe the Shepherd

Posted on May 23, 2012 by

The Baal Shem Tov was once shown from heaven that a certain simple man called Moshe the Shepherd served G‑d, blessed be He, better than he did. He longed to meet this shepherd, so he ordered his horses harnessed to … Continue reading →

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The Light from Within

Posted on May 22, 2012 by

It used to be a burning issue for religious Jews, and for many it still is a quandary: may one daven in a non- Orthodox shul? The main underlying question is regarding whether a mechitzah is an absolute halachic requirement. … Continue reading →

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Twelve Gates: Where Do the Nations Enter, A Book Review

Posted on May 21, 2012 by

The book of Revelation describes New Jerusalem as having twelve gates named after the twelve tribes of Israel. Through which gate will you enter? The Two-House movement teaches that many modern Christians are in reality descendants of the ten lost … Continue reading →

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