Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 07 Aug 2012 /
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Hi, There are many misconceptions about Jewish tradition. And there’s one that seems very widespread. … “Do not make any tattoo marks on your skin. I am G-d.” (Leviticus, 19:26) It’s very clear. The Torah doesn’t allow tattoos. The misconception? “Rabbi, is it true that a person who has a tattoo can’t have a Jewish […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 07 Aug 2012 /
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Hi, Today is Tu B’shvat. The fifteenth day in the Jewish month of S’hvat. In Jewish tradition it’s the “New Year of Trees”. It’s customary to make a point of eating fruit on this day. Especially fruit that are associated in the Torah with the Land of Israel. Like grapes, figs, dates and pomegranates. … […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 07 Aug 2012 /
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Hi, The Torah was written thousands of years ago! Sometimes it’s hard to believe. Take one of the most amazing commandments. “Love your neighbor like yourself”. I am G-d. (Leviticus, 19:18) … Picture how this would go over in Ancient Greece. Huh? “Do we have to be better than the gods? They’re jealous of each […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 07 Aug 2012 /
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Hi, One last thing about Lashon Harah. Say you’ve been asked to evaluate someone that’s being considered for a position. And after a few Torah Minutes about Lashon Harah? You want to be very careful! But you need to convey some negative information that you know of first hand. It will serve a constructive purpose. […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 07 Aug 2012 /
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Hi, Hope you’re having a great day. So Lashon Harah is terrible. And we need to work hard on not gossiping. But it’s a little more complicated. Because there are times when we’re permitted to give information about someone else. In fact, we’re obligated to. When it serves a constructive purpose. Your friend’s considering a […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 07 Aug 2012 /
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Hi, GOSSIP SPEECH RELATIONSHIPS More on gossip, Lashon Harah. The ability to speak is a wonderful gift. The right words can lift a person’s spirits. Make them smile. With our words we can create relationships. … Lashon Harah is the exact opposite. Our words are used to bring people down. To cause other people pain. […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 07 Aug 2012 /
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Hi, LASHON HARAH INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS WORD Hope all is well. As we’ve seen, the portion of Kedoshim is full of commandments. Some are rituals. And some are ethical obligations. Among the ethical obligations is a ‘biggy”. Lashon Harah. Gossip. “Do not go around as a gossiper among your people”. (Leviticus, 19:16) In Jewish tradition? Gossip […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 07 Aug 2012 /
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Hi, O.K. There’s tremendous value in doing a Mitzvah even if we can’t understand it. It can be a show of our love for G-d. And our appreciation of all He gives us. But does Jewish tradition offer any insight into what the message of Shaatnez may be. Yes. Here’s a fascinating idea. It goes […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 07 Aug 2012 /
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Hi, Hope all is well. We were learning the Torah portion of Kedoshim. (Leviticus, 19 and 20). Kedoshim is full of great moral teachings as well as many Jewish rituals. There’s Shabbat. There’s “Love you neighbor like yourself”. (19:18) And the very next verse? A mysterious commandment. “Do not wear a garment that has both […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 07 Aug 2012 /
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Hi, O.K. It was very interesting. A religious Jew received a Nobel Prize and observed Shaatnez. His “official tie and tails” was free of a mixture of wool and linen. He observed one of the commandments that defies our understanding. But some Torah Minute readers were wondering. Does Jewish tradition offer any insights into the […]