Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 04 Jul 2012 /
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Hi, Thanks to those who pointed out a mistake in the last Torah Minute. The Egyptian Empire was not at its peak in the 13th Century. In fact? It was long gone by then! It should have said 13th Century B.C.E.! … The Jews finally leave Egypt. The sea splits. The Jews are saved. And […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 04 Jul 2012 /
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Hi, … Here’s something I found fascinating. Two secular Israeli archeologists wrote a book. This is a summary of what they said. “In the 13th century B.C.E., Egypt was at the peak of its authority. The dominant world power. Its border fortifications were extremely heavily guarded. Putting aside the possibility of Divinely inspired miracles? One […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 04 Jul 2012 /
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Hi, Before we leave Egypt? We should think about why we were there to start with. Why was it G-d’s “master plan” that we become a nation in Egypt? What’s wrong with Florida! And why did we have to be slaves in Egypt? … Jewish tradition has many insights into this question. Here’s one. The […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 04 Jul 2012 /
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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 […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 04 Jul 2012 /
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Hi, I know what you’re thinking. “Here he goes again. He’s going to tell us we’re starting again. We’ll get all excited. And nothing will happen! He should go into politics!” … I feel like its Rosh Hashanah. And I’m telling G-d, “I know I said this last year. But this year, I really mean […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 26 Jun 2012 /
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Hi, Drishat Shalom, best regards from Israel! I had an amazing trip. Besides the usual high points, like Jerusalem and the Western Wall? I visited some of the fantastic Yeshivas for men and women without extensive Jewish backgrounds. There are some amazing opportunities to really sink your teeth into Jewish learning. And there’s one just […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 26 Jun 2012 /
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Hi, Now the Exodus is really going to start! Until now? It sort of backfired. Moshe and Aaron went to Pharaoh and told him to free the Jewish People And Pharaoh responded by clamping down. By making them work even harder. (Exodus, 5) … Now we’re about to start the “ten plagues.” But first there’s […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 26 Jun 2012 /
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Hi, Finally. The Exodus is about to begin. But not so fast! … G-d tells Moshe to give the Jewish People the good news. (Exodus, 6:1-13) That G-d is about to free them. But they wouldn’t listen. They didn’t believe Moshe. Their spirits were broken. Then G-d tells Moshe to speak to Pharaoh and free […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 26 Jun 2012 /
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Hi, Hope you’re having a great day. Moshe can’t get out of it. As much as he tries, G-d insists. “You’re the man”! So Moshe is about to leave Midian and go to back to Egypt. For the most important mission in world history. To free the Jews and bring them to Mount Sinai. They […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 26 Jun 2012 /
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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 […]