Author Archives: yourphariseefriend

Men of my Counsel

Posted on September 2, 2012 by yourphariseefriend

Men of my Counsel A person needs acknowledgment in order to survive. A person needs to feel that he or she is significant and that their life makes a difference. Without this feeling of self-respect and self-worth it is difficult … Continue reading →

Posted in Scripture | 21 Comments

Peace, Jerusalem, and David

Posted on August 22, 2012 by yourphariseefriend

Peace, Jerusalem, and David In the book of Deuteronomy God commands Israel to establish righteous judges (Deuteronomy 16:18-20). Immediately thereafter we are enjoined not to plant an idolatrous tree near the altar, nor to designate a “matzevah” (- a single … Continue reading →

Posted in Scripture | 3 Comments

The Blind Seer – Isaiah 40:6

Posted on August 21, 2012 by yourphariseefriend

The Blind Seer – Isaiah 40:6 Supplement to “Armor Bearers” “A voice says, ‘Proclaim!’ and [the [prophet] asks, ‘What shall I proclaim?’ – ‘All flesh is grass and all its kindness is like a blossom in the field. Grass withers … Continue reading →

Posted in Scripture | 10 Comments

Jeremiah 2:5

Posted on August 20, 2012 by yourphariseefriend

Jeremiah 2:5 The Torah describes the false prophet as one who attempts to “make you stray from the path that the Lord your God has commanded you to walk in.” (Deuteronomy 13:6 (5). Instead of listening to the false prophet … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith Structure, Scripture | 3 Comments

Armor Bearers – Isaiah 52:11

Posted on July 24, 2012 by yourphariseefriend

Armor Bearers – Isaiah 52:11 1. The Prophet and the Nation One of the primary purposes of the book of Isaiah is to offer comfort and hope to the Jewish people. One method that the prophet uses to comfort Israel … Continue reading →

Posted in Scripture | 9 Comments

The Good News

Posted on July 11, 2012 by yourphariseefriend

Direct Relationship You can enter into a deep, joyful and fulfilling relationship with the One Creator of heaven and earth without having anyone else involved in that relationship aside from the two of you: G-d and yourself. Don’t let anyone … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 32 Comments

Unauthorized Negotiator

Posted on June 29, 2012 by yourphariseefriend

Unauthorized Negotiator Tom and Joe were partners in a business. As they walked up the path to the office one day they encountered a man exiting the door that they were about to enter. The man asked them what they … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith Structure | 40 Comments

Empowered Arbitrators

Posted on June 28, 2012 by yourphariseefriend

Empowered Arbitrators Tom and Joe were partners in a business. When it came to disbursement of profits a small dispute arose between them so they decided to go to a third party to arbitrate between them. Joe was not familiar … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 23 Comments

Love, Law and Jeremiah 9:23

Posted on June 22, 2012 by yourphariseefriend

Love, Law and Jeremiah 9:23 God’s holy Law and His love are seen by some as to conflicting factors in our relationship with the Divine. Loving God and observing the Law are understood by these people as two separate approaches … Continue reading →

Posted in Judaism | 16 Comments

Ramifications of Shema IV – Isaiah 41:10

Posted on June 14, 2012 by yourphariseefriend

Ramifications of Shema IV – Isaiah 41:10 In the Shema we declare that the Lord is our God. What do we mean when we say that God is “ours”? Is the Lord not God over all of creation? How is … Continue reading →

Posted in Basic, Judaism | 3 Comments