Happy Purim eve. I’m already into the spirit of Purim! It’s the happiest day in the Jewish calendar. What’s the last thing that would come to mind when we think Purim? Yom Kippur. Two opposites. But Jewish tradition says that there’s a connection. What do Yom Kippur and Purim have in common? They are both […]

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. We just returned from New York where my wife spent the Shiva mourning period for my father-in-law, of blessed memory. Thanks to all that sent condolences.  We really appreciated it! And may we only share happy news.   We’re about to begin the “Garden of Eden” story. I wanted […]

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 […]

Hope you’re having a great day. “And G-d formed the man of dust from the ground.  And He blew into his nostrils the soul of life.” (Genesis: 2:7) The creation of man? Haven’t we done that already? (1:26) Why is it repeated? If you took “Bible” in college, you may have heard “the answer.” That […]

Sorry we missed a day.  I am still in New York and hope, G-d willing, to be back next week.  I appreciate everyone’s good wishes and hope we will share many happy occasions. Here’s a thought for the day and for the weekend. The Creation story ends with the Shabbat. We say it in the […]

Today’s minute? More about ‘G-d created man in the Divine Image’. … It’s a powerful Jewish concept. And one of the most important ideas that Judaism brought to the world. For many reasons. … Think of ancient Greece. Of their religion and mythology. They had ‘Gods’ with every possible shortcoming. Lust. Jealousy. Anger. You name […]

Unfortunately Mrs. Bracha Katz’s father passed away today, and she and her husband, Rabbi Moshe Katz, will be in New York for the funeral and shiva. We join all their friends and students in extending our deepest, heartfelt condolences, and pray that G-d comfort them among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. Rabbi Katz asked […]

We’re going to wrap up the creation of the universe. And we did it in five days! The days of creation are followed with, “And G-d saw that it was good.” Then it says, “It was evening and it was morning, a third day.  … A fourth day…  A fifth day. On the sixth day, […]

Well, by now, I think we all know how many verses the Torah spends on the Creation Story. Thirty one!  (It’s not a bad trivia question to try on your friends!) Here’s a note from a member of our group. “Thirty one verses seems kind of short, considering it is Creation!  It got me thinking: […]