Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 23 Aug 2012 /
0 Comment
Hi, …Yesterday, the Supreme Court ruled to protect defendants in capital cases. It ruled that they can’t be brought into court with shackles. Because seeing the defendant in shackles makes an impression on the jury. “It almost always… affects the jury’s perception of the character of the defendant”. The court was split. And some argued […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 23 Aug 2012 /
0 Comment
Hope all is well. We move on through Leviticus! Starting a new Torah portion. Emor. (Leviticus, 21) It starts with laws about the Kohain. Someone whose ancestors were priests in the Temple in Jerusalem. Like me! … No Kohain shall defile himself through contact with a dead body. (21:2) Traditionally, other than for immediate relatives, […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 07 Aug 2012 /
0 Comment
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 24 Jul 2012 /
0 Comment
Hi, I’m sure you’ve been following the Discovery Mission developments. And today the flight crew honored the memory of all fallen astronauts. Including, of course, those lost in the Columbia disaster. While every loss is very tragic? As Jews, we especially remember Illan Ramon. And his picture came to mind when I read the following. […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 05 Jul 2012 /
0 Comment
Hi, …Yesterday, the Supreme Court ruled to protect defendants in capital cases. It ruled that they can’t be brought into court with shackles. Because seeing the defendant in shackles makes an impression on the jury. “It almost always… affects the jury’s perception of the character of the defendant”. The court was split. And some argued […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 26 Jun 2012 /
0 Comment
Hi, I make a point of not discussing “politics” in the Torah Minute. In most cases, I don’t think Jewish tradition dictates a specific approach. But I do feel the need to address the death of Yasser Arafat. … The Jewish People were given a mission. “To be a light unto the nations.” We taught […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 25 Jun 2012 /
0 Comment
Hi, Hope you’re having a great day. The new Egyptian king sees the Jews as a threat and enslaves them. (Exodus, 1:8-2:10) He orders the Jewish midwives to kill every newborn Jewish boy. But the midwives “feared G-d” and defied the order. They kept the boys alive. So Pharaoh issued a new decree. To his […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 08 May 2012 /
0 Comment
Hi, Here’s why there will be no Torah Minute tomorrow. The ninth day of Av. The saddest day in the Jewish calendar. It may surprise you. …It’s because we’re not supposed to study Torah! Doesn’t sound very Jewish? It’s very Jewish! Because tomorrow is a day of mourning. We remember the destruction of Jerusalem and […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 07 May 2012 /
0 Comment
Hi, Sorry I missed you on Friday. We were speaking about the importance shared goals in a marriage. … And shared goals don’t just make a marriage more meaningful. They make it more romantic! Because the more meaningful our goals? The deeper our lives. And the deeper the […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 07 May 2012 /
0 Comment
Hi, Isaac and Rebecca have twin sons. Jacob and Esau. Isaac favors Esau but Rebecca favors Jacob. (Genesis, 25:28) … Isaac is old, blind and close to death. His love for Esau blinds him. And he wants to give the blessings to Esau before dying. Rebecca sees the true nature of Esau and knows that […]