Author Archives: yourphariseefriend

Supplement to Responding to an Atheist

Posted on November 7, 2012 by yourphariseefriend

Supplement to Responding to an Atheist (and to a Christian) The following question was posed in the context of my article “Responding to an Atheist”. This question articulates something that weighs deeply on the hearts of many Christians. The Jewish … Continue reading →

Posted in Addressing Atheism, The Ultimate Truth | 10 Comments

Responding to an Atheist

Posted on November 6, 2012 by yourphariseefriend

Responding to an Atheist (and a Christian) Common sense tells us that this complex universe that we live in did not come about by accident. So much wisdom and coordination are evident in every detail of the universe that it … Continue reading →

Posted in Addressing Atheism, The Ultimate Truth | 40 Comments

Blessing of Sabbath versus Selfish Self-Sacrifice – Isaiah 58:13

Posted on September 28, 2012 by yourphariseefriend

Blessing of Sabbath versus Selfish Self-Sacrifice – Isaiah 58:13 Living a sacrificial life can sometimes be an extreme expression of self-centeredness. People don’t like to see themselves as “takers” – they enjoy thinking of themselves as altruistic “givers”. In pursuit … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays, Judaism, Scripture | 2 Comments

Yom Kippur 5773 – Isaiah 58

Posted on September 23, 2012 by yourphariseefriend

Yom Kippur 5773 – Isaiah 58 Man has an amazing capacity for self-deception. People could sometimes define their efforts as reaching out to God when in fact they have done no such thing. They see their activities as the holiest … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays, Judaism, Scripture | 10 Comments

Tower of Truth

Posted on September 11, 2012 by yourphariseefriend

Tower of Truth Man’s need for self-validation is very deep. Necessity, as they say, is the mother of invention. The deeper the need – the more powerful the desire to invent and to fabricate. Not that there is a true … Continue reading →

Posted in Basic, Judaism | 6 Comments

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