Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 03 Sep 2012 /
0 Comment
We have failed our children if their role models are athletes! Sure. Kids need heroes. They need role models. But they should be great people. Not great athletes! … What did Moshe look like? Was he tall and handsome? Muscular? We have no idea! Because in Jewish tradition those things aren’t really relevant. And they […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 03 Sep 2012 /
0 Comment
Hi, I’m assuming that the last thing you want to hear about is the Super Bowl! So here’s something else. … I went to the doctor yesterday. They have this new, state of the art, “super secure” computer system. All your records in one place. “At your fingertips”. While I was waiting for the doctor, […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 22 Jul 2012 /
0 Comment
Hi, We’re ready to leave the Book of Exodus. And start Leviticus. In Hebrew, Vayikra. It’s called Vayikra because of the first word. Vayikra. “And G-d called to Moshe… (Leviticus, 1:1) … Before we get to the details of the Book? Here’s something small. With a huge lesson. If you would look at a Torah […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 22 Jul 2012 /
0 Comment
Hi, One more thing before we leave the Golden Calf. This story goes back 3300 years ago. Moshe came down from Mount Sinai with the Tablets. The Ten Commandments. He saw the Golden Calf. And smashed the Tablets. The date? Seventeenth day in the Jewish month of Tamuz. According to Jewish tradition, that day was […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 19 Jul 2012 /
0 Comment
Hi, Only in the Torah! I’m referring to what happens just forty days after the Revelation at Mount Sinai. You may remember the scene in the movie, “The Ten Commandments”. (But don’t forget, the Book is better than the movie!) Moshe comes down from the mountain holding the Tablets. The Ten Commandments. And what does […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 15 Jul 2012 /
0 Comment
Hi, The Temple in the desert was built with donations. Voluntary donations. No pressure. And no mandatory “building fund”! The response was amazing. The whole nation mobilized. Men and women brought gold, silver and other materials. … And then something amazing happened. And you may want to sit down for this! … There was too […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 15 Jul 2012 /
0 Comment
Hi, I sat down at my computer to work on today’s Torah Minute. And before I got started? I figured I would click on today’s New York Times. To see what’s happening in the world. And something caught my eyes. A carved wooden bust of Tutankhamen. A.k.a. King Tut! It was an article about a […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 04 Jul 2012 /
0 Comment
Hi, How’s this for a shocker? The “Ten Commandments” is not a Jewish idea! Sounds like saying “apple pie” is not American! What could be more Jewish than the Ten Commandments? Aren’t they our gift to the world? … It’s the name that’s not Jewish. In Hebrew, they’re called, “Aseres Hadibros.”. The “Ten Utterances.” They […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 04 Jul 2012 /
0 Comment
Hi, Hope you enjoyed Purim! … The Jews are in the desert. And they keep Moshe busy. Day and night! They come to him to judge disputes. To answer questions. (Exodus, 18:13-27) … Moshe’s father in law, Jethro, is concerned about Moshe’s welfare. (There are such fathers in law!) He tells Moshe, “What you are […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 04 Jul 2012 /
0 Comment
Hi, Yesterday we spoke about Miriam. And it made me think about something else. … I make a point of not discussing politics in the Torah Minute. You don’t need a Rabbi for that! And I surely don’t talk about baseball! Jewish tradition doesn’t usually have a compelling position on that! But today? I wanted […]