Hi – Hope you’re having a great day! … We recently had “one of those days”. It was Friday, as we were preparing for Shabbos. What happened? Our refrigerator died! Not very good timing!

Hi, People all over the world were saying “wow” yesterday. Because something amazing happened. A solar eclipse. … It reminded me of something very interesting. How the Torah refers to the sun and the moon. It calls them “the two large luminaries”. (Genesis, 1:16) That makes it sound like they’re in the “same ballpark”. But […]

Hi, Sorry to keep you in suspense for all that time. The Jewish People actually do leave Egypt! … The Exodus from Egypt. It’s right up there with the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. And so much of Jewish ritual is meant to remind us of it. We mention it every day in […]

Hi, Chag Samayach!  Happy Succot! Here’s a thought about the Succah.  It’s about the schach.  The roof of the Succah. Usually made of greens or bamboo. Jewish tradition says that it shouldn’t be too thick. That we should be able to see the stars when we look up.  … What should seeing the stars make […]

Hi, Jacob has gone through quiet an ordeal, but now has a family. He’s about to head back to the Land of Israel. … “Jacob went on his way, and angels of G-d encountered him.”  (Genesis, 32:2) Here’s a word about angels. Don’t get your hopes up.  I don’t know that much about them myself! […]

Hope you’re having a great day. The Torah is leading up to the creation of Eve.  The first woman. Adam’s wife. It seems to be building up to it.  To make Adam really want a wife. As we saw yesterday, G-d said, “It’s not good for man to be alone.” He needs a partner. … […]

Hope you’re having a great day! We left Adam in the Garden of Eden.  Spiritual paradise. What could be better? … But the Torah says something amazing. “It’s not good.  Because man is alone!” And it goes on to describe the creation of Eve.  The first woman. It’s not good? In spiritual paradise? Adam was […]

Hope you’re having a great day! Here’s a little quiz. What’s the first thing G-d says to Adam, the first human being? And no peeking! Many people would say, “I know that one!” “Don’t eat the apple.”  (Actually, since Jewish tradition does not identify the forbidden fruit as an apple, we should probably say that […]

Hope you’re having a great day! Adam is placed in the Garden of Eden.  Spiritual Paradise. We’re told that G-d planted trees in the garden. “Trees that were pleasant to look at and good to eat.”  (Genesis: 2:9) It’s interesting. Trees that produce fruit?  That makes sense. Even in the Garden of Eden you need […]

Hope you’re having a great day. One last thought before we start the “Garden of Eden” story. Yesterday we discussed the Torah’s second description of the creation of man. The story is introduced with a very interesting verse. “On the day that G-d made earth end heaven.” Earth and heaven? That doesn’t sound right! Almost […]