Category Archives: Holidays

Channuka – Excerpt from Contra Brown

Posted on December 21, 2014 by yourphariseefriend

1.    Haggai 2:6 – 9. “For thus says the Lord of hosts: There will be one more; it is a small one. I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. I will shake … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays | 155 Comments

Joy and Repentance

Posted on September 30, 2014 by yourphariseefriend

Joy and Repentance The holiday of Sukkot (Tabernacles) follows immediately after Yom Kippur, a day dedicated for repentance and forgiveness. Sukkot is called “the time of Joy” and it is understood that the connection between these two holidays is that … Continue reading →

Posted in Atonement, Holidays | 4 Comments

Not to Bow

Posted on March 12, 2014 by yourphariseefriend

Not to Bow   “And all the servants of the King that were in the gate of the King kneeled and bowed to Haman but Mordechai would not kneel nor would he bow” (Esther 3:2) Mordechai’s refusal to bow infuriated … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays | 74 Comments

Lamp and Lights – Proverbs 6:23

Posted on December 4, 2013 by yourphariseefriend

Lamp and Lights – Proverbs 6:23   Some see the observance of the commandments as drudgery. They see in the performance of the commandments a stifling of the creative side of man, of his independence and of man’s appreciation for … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays | 12 Comments

Annelise on Chanukah

Posted on December 1, 2013 by yourphariseefriend

Annelise on Chanukah Orthodox Judaism lets us know that God has shown us His face. It is true that we don’t look at any of the humans of history, or any other thing or experience in heaven and earth, as … Continue reading →

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Trust and Repentance

Posted on May 2, 2013 by yourphariseefriend

Trust and Repentance   Rabbi Shlomo Ibn Gabirol describes the process of repentance as escaping and fleeing from God to God. When we realize the weight of God’s judgment and the evil of sin we recognize that we need to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atonement, Holidays | 63 Comments

Lessons from Leviticus 16

Posted on April 29, 2013 by yourphariseefriend

Lessons from Leviticus 16   The 16th chapter in the book of Leviticus describes the yearly service that would take place in the Tabernacle (and subsequently in the Jerusalem Temple) on the Day of Atonement. The passage describes in great … Continue reading →

Posted in Atonement, Holidays | 9 Comments

Eternal Freedom

Posted on March 22, 2013 by yourphariseefriend

Eternal Freedom   Passover is the time when we sit around the table with our families to thank God for redeeming us from slavery and making us free. We give praise for the gift that He bestowed upon us by … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays | 28 Comments

The Passover Altar

Posted on March 22, 2013 by yourphariseefriend

The Passover Altar   There were ten miracles that occurred in the Temple on a regular basis. One of these miracles involved the smoke that arose from the fire of the altar. The altar was a large structure situated in … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays | 5 Comments

Esther 4:16

Posted on February 22, 2013 by yourphariseefriend

Esther 4:16 The Book of Esther stands out amongst the books of the Jewish Bible in that it does not mention the name of God. In fact; the Book of Esther does not explicitly declare any spiritual message. It is … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays, Judaism | 3 Comments