Hi, Sorry we missed you yesterday. A few words about the Sh’ma.  Judaism’s declaration of faith. We read it in this weeks Torah portion. … It’s the Jewish belief in monotheism.  One G-d. “Hear Israel, the Lord our G-d is One”. Of course, it taught the world about G-d. That there is only one. But […]

Hi, The beginning of the Jewish People. It’s just like the rest of Jewish history. Happens in strange ways! … Jacob wants to marry Rachel. Not so fast. Her father, Laban, switches Leah for Rachel! And Jacob has to work again for Rachel. Rachel and Leah become the primary mothers of the Jewish People. What […]

Hi, Let’s refresh our memories. Jacob meets Rachel and it seems right out of the movies. Until we think about it. Jacob kisses Rachel.  But he cries! He “loves” her.  But suggests waiting seven years. And then the clincher. He loves her so much? That those seven years go by like a few days. Doesn’t […]

Hi, We left off in the middle of Jacob’s prophetic vision. What’s next? G-d promises Jacob’s that his descendants, the Jewish People, will inherit the Land of Israel. “… I am the Lord, G-d of Abraham your father and G-d of Isaac. The ground upon which you are lying, I will give to your descendants.”  […]

Hi, The minutes add up.  We’re about halfway through the Book of Genesis! And we’re starting a new Torah portion.   (Genesis, 28:10) Jacob leaves the home of his parents Isaac and Rebecca and travels to Rebecca’s family. In search of a wife. … Jacob lies down at night to sleep. And he has a dream.  […]

Hi, We can’t seem to avoid it. The Torah keeps coming back to weddings! Now its time for Jacob to find a wife. (Genesis, 28:1-4) … Isaac gives Jacob a charge. “Do not take a wife from the Canaanite women.” Or in other words, “Don’t marry out.” And Isaac sends Jacob to look in his […]

Hi, Hope you’re having a great day! We’ve seen that in Jewish tradition, Abraham personifies acts of kindness. And Isaac? He represents Divine service. Things like prayer.  Introspection.  Spirituality. You might think of Isaac as a very big Tzadik.  An extremely righteous man. A “holy man.” And sometimes we have a picture of such people. […]

Hi, Hope you’re having a great day! We’ve seen that in Jewish tradition, Abraham personifies acts of kindness. And Isaac? He represents Divine service. Things like prayer. Introspection. Spirituality. You might think of Isaac as a very big Tzadik. An extremely righteous man. A “holy man.” And sometimes we have a picture of such people. […]

Hi, Love. It’s a word we hear very often. A man and a woman meet. Fall madly in love. Get married. And live happily ever after! … At least that’s how it goes in the movies! In real life? It’s just as likely that they won’t. … Here’s how the Torah describes the marriage of […]

Hi, I had to share this one with you! We’ve spoken about the need to focus on chessed.  Acts of kindness. Especially between spouses. But be careful! Read this first. … One day, this fellow decides enough is enough. He hasn’t been the kind of husband he should be. But from now on it’s going […]