Hi, Hope you’re having a great summer. (It’s not over till it’s over!) … There is a Torah portion in Leviticus called Kedoshim.  Holy. It begins with the words, “You must be holy because I, the Lord your G-d, is holy.”  (Leviticus, 19:2) It’s a commandment.  And it’s the Torah’s perspective on life. That as […]

Hi, Here’s a Rosh Hashanah thought. There’s challah dipped in honey. Apple and honey. And there’s also a custom to eat a pomegranate. Before eating it, we say a prayer, “May it be G-d’s will that our merits are as plentiful as the seeds of a pomegranate.” We seem to be asking G-d to give […]

Hi, Jacob finally encounters his brother Esau.  (Genesis, 33) In Jewish tradition, Esau represents the power of the sword.  As opposed to the spiritual values of Jacob. In fact, Jacob had run away because Esau was planning on killing him. … What happens when they meet? “ He hugged Jacob… kissed him.  They wept”.  (33:4) […]

Hi, Sorry I missed you yesterday. Believe me! I enjoy this much more than two hours at the dentist! … Jacob is about to be confronted by Esau. But not so fast. First, Jacob had a very mysterious experience.  (Genesis, 32:23-32) He had taken his family and his possessions across the river. And was now […]

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! […]

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, You could have thought you’re at the movies! Jacob meets Rachel. (Genesis, 29:9-20) He’s at the well talking to the shepherds. And Rachel arrives with her father’s sheep. What does Jacob do? He kisses Rachel. It sounds right out of Hollywood! Jacob was really swept off his feet! Then he offers to work seven […]

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 can’t help it. I love weddings! … The veiling of the bride.  Called the “Bedeken”. At a traditional Jewish wedding it takes place before the actual ceremony. The groom is escorted to the bride and veils her. It’s an ancient tradition that goes back over 3500 years! To the marriage of Rebecca and […]